Game 1: Packers at Lions. Green Bay obviously must win the division to make the playoffs, and being a half game behind Detroit, that is not an easy task. It is a must-win game for the Lions too because the Bears are also 6-5. I will be totally shocked if Aaron Rodgers is cleared to play. Look for Rashean Mathis and other former Jaguars.if you watch it. Kickoff is at 12:30 ET on Fox.

 

Game 2: Raiders at Cowboys. Matt McGloin will start for Oakland again. Justin Durant was injured in New Orleans, so I am not sure if he will play. Rashad Jennings, Khalif Barnes, Tony Pashos, and George Selvie definitely will start. The Cowboys are fighting for the division title, so they need to win this game. Kickoff is at 4:30 on CBS.

 

Game 3: Steelers at Ravens. The first Thanksgiving game ever to be televised on NBC iat 8:00 nstead of NFL Network at 8:30, it probably will not affect the playoff races because neither team can catch up with the Bengals. However, it is always fun  to watch Daryl Smith play against the Steelers and we can see him do it again.

 

Of course, I will be rooting for the Packers, Raiders, and Steelers and paying special attention to what the former Jaguars do.

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matty ice destroys that lions def and gets another big contract lol

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I wish I could expect that to happen.

 

The good news for Green Bay is Eddie Lacy can play. He said the cold weather is bad for him because he has asthma, so playing indoors will help keep him on the field.

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According to Mike McCarthy,  it looks like Aaron Rodgers won't be playing in Detroit this coming Thanksgiving Day:

 

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/201...playi.html

 

According to comments made to local media by Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy, the odds of quarterback Aaron Rodgers playing against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving are "slim to none."

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matty ice destroys that lions def and gets another big contract lol

 

Sadly,  I can envision at least the first part of this scenario.   Practically in every game,  an opposing WR is gaining 100 or more yards against the Lions.   Andy Dalton and Mike Glennon had their highest passer ratings of the season against the Lions.

 

The Lions should get pressure on the Packers QB.   Yet,  4 sacks and a significant amount of other QB pressure  didn't stop Glennon from being the winning QB in yesterday's Bucs-Lions game.

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I wish I could expect that to happen.

 

The good news for Green Bay is Eddie Lacy can play. He said the cold weather is bad for him because he has asthma, so playing indoors will help keep him on the field.

 

In week # 5,  Eddie Lacy was the last opposing RB to have more than 50 yards against the Lions in a game.   Lacy was terrific that afternoon but the Lions have been playing great run Defense for the most part since week # 5.    This should be a good matchup.

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In week # 5,  Eddie Lacy was the last opposing RB to have more than 50 yards against the Lions in a game. Lacy was terrific that afternoon but the Lions have been playing great run defense for the most part since week # 5.    This should be a good matchup.

 

I guess that tells you how good Lacy is. Because he ran more than 50 yards in a game Aaron Rodgers started, we should expect that to happen again Thursday. The Packers are relying on him more, naturally, without #12 behind thre center.

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I guess that tells you how good Lacy is. Because he ran more than 50 yards in a game Aaron Rodgers started, we should expect that to happen again Thursday. The Packers are relying on him more, naturally, without #12 behind thre center.

 

One thing to keep in mind though is when the teams met in Green Bay,  the Lions rarely put a Safety into the box until the Packers were protecting a double digit lead late in the game.    Lacy had favorable boxes to run through. 

 

 Without Aaron Rodgers, assuming he doesn't play,   my guess is the Lions are going to be focused much more on trying to keep Lacy in check.   Hoping to get the Packers into expected passing situations.   It will be easier said than done as Lacy is difficult to bring down due to his size,  power,  and athletic skills.

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matty ice destroys that lions def and gets another big contract lol

 

From the Jags  :turned:

 

The good news though, whoever we draft will be a stud after beating him out for the job in training camp  :thumbsup:

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I was wrong about Trent Baalke. 

From the Jags

 

The good news though, whoever we draft will be a stud after beating him out for the job in training camp.

 

Forget it. This thread is only about the games, not the future of a backup quarterback.

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Forget it. This thread is only about the games, not the future of a backup quarterback.

 

There was a post about it in the topic.  I responded.  I'm allowed to do that, because this message board allows it. 

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I was wrong about Trent Baalke. 

There was a post about it in the topic.  I responded.  I'm allowed to do that, because this message board allows it. 

 

I just want to make sure it does not derail this thread is all.

 

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how much better Matt Flynn is against the Lions than Scott Tolzein was against the Giants.

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The Lions are going to have to prepare for all 3 QB's.   That would be difficult in a full week,  let alone in a short week.

 

 

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl...um=twitter

 

Packers' Aaron Rodgers wants to play Thursday, but coach is skeptical

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The Lions are going to have to prepare for all 3 QBs.That would be difficult in a full week,  let alone in a short week.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl...um=twitter

 

Packers' Aaron Rodgers wants to play Thursday, but coach is skeptical

 

Of course Aaron Rodgers wants to play Thursday. Every injured player can't wait to get back to work. But I think he understands the risk of returning too soon because it cannot be wrapped. He probably is overly optimistic because it is his left collarbone.

 

The Lions are crazy. Even when they do prepare for Rodgers, he kills them. When Matt Flynn started because the Packers were locked into their playoff seed, that game was against the Lions and he threw 6 touchdown passes. The reason I am worried about this game is Flynn is on his third team in 2013 and was the backup yesterday.

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Of course Aaron Rodgers wants to play Thursday. Every injured player can't wait to get back to work. But I think he understands the risk of returning too soon because it cannot be wrapped. He probably is overly optimistic because it is his left collarbone.

 

The Lions are crazy. Even when they do prepare for Rodgers, he kills them. When Matt Flynn started because the Packers were locked into their playoff seed, that game was against the Lions and he threw 6 touchdown passes. The reason I am worried about this game is Flynn is on his third team in 2013 and was the backup yesterday.

 

Believe me,  Aaron Rodgers would be that much more lethal against the Lions or any other team that isn't prepared to play against him.   

 

As well as Matt Flynn performed against an injury depleted Lions Secondary in the 2011 regular season finale,   the other time the Lions faced Flynn after Rodgers was hurt in the 2nd QTR,   the Lions held the Packers to a FG in a 7-3 win.   That was in December, 2010.

 

The following is today's injury report for both teams.   Tomorrow's practice will be a much better indicator of the injury situation for both teams:

 

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/201..._thre.html

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Quarterback update: Matt Flynn is practicing with the starters. Scott Tolzein is also getting a good number of practice reps. Aaron Rodgers is doing non-contact quarterback drills, which only means it is OK to take snaps and throw the ball. Expect to see Flynn play all four quarters.

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Quarterback update: Matt Flynn is practicing with the starters. Scott Tolzein is also getting a good number of practice reps. Aaron Rodgers is doing non-contact quarterback drills, which only means it is OK to take snaps and throw the ball. Expect to see Flynn play all four quarters.

 

Everything seems to be pointing to Matt Flynn at least starting the game.   Being that both the Lions and Flynn are familiar with each other,  it should be an interesting matchup from a strategy standpoint.

 

Regarding the Lions injury situation,  Chris Houston is the most likely player to miss the game with an injury.   If Houston can't play,  rookie 2nd Round pick Darius Slay will very likely start opposite Rashean Mathis at CB.  Slay has a ton of ability but has not performed well when called upon as a starter.  It shouldn't have been surprising being that Slay is a former Junior College player,  who relatively speaking had limited experience with Mississippi State later in his College days. Slay's best games with the Lions occurred when he came in to replace Houston or Mathis when they suffered injuries.

 

http://www.freep.com/article/20131126/SPORTS01/311260116/detroit-lions-chris-houston-calvin-Johnson

 

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/201...oit_l.html

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Is Rashean Mathis still #27?

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Is Rashean Mathis still #27?

 

Rashean Mathis is wearing jersey # 31 with the Lions.   

 

The # 27 was given to S Glover Quin back in March when he signed with the Lions as an UFA from the Texans.

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Haha Flacco'ntract. Overpaid

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