Dope Sheet: Packers host Lions on Thursday Night (2024)

The Green Bay Packers will square off against a division foe, the Detroit Lions, on Thursday Night Football.

It is the first time the Packers will host the Lions on a Thursday.
Including a 1994 playoff victory, the Packers are 28-4 against the Lions in the state of Wisconsin since 1992.
Green Bay scored 42 points in the meeting at Lambeau in 2020, the most it had scored at home against the Lions since posting 45 in 2011.
The Packers followed it up with scoring 35 in an 18-point victory at home in 2021.
The Packers lead the regular-season series, 103-75-7 (.578), and have won both postseason contests that the two clubs have played.
Green Bay's 103 regular-season wins over the Lions are the most it has against any team.
The Lions won both games last season, ending the Packers' five-game win streak.
The two games last season were decided by a total of 10 points,
The Packers swept the season series in two of the last four seasons and 11 times in the last 19 years.
This will be the first of two Thursday games between the two teams this season as they will play on Thanksgiving in Detroit. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the two Thursday games against Detroit mark just the second time that two teams have squared off multiple times on a Thursday in the same season (1926 Chicago Bears/Chicago Cardinals).
Week 5 has the Packers visiting Las Vegas for the first time to play the Raiders on Monday Night Football. It marks the 31st straight season (1993-2023) that Green Bay will play on MNF.

WITH THE CALL

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is from Mount Pleasant, Mich., and played quarterback at Western Michigan (1998-99) and Saginaw Valley State (2000-02)…LaFleur later became an offensive assistant at Saginaw Valley State (2003), a graduate assistant at Central Michigan (2004-05), and a quarterbacks/wide receivers coach at Northern Michigan (2006)...Packers LB Eric Wilson is from Redford, Mich., and attended Lee M. Thurston High School…Packers DL Karl Brooks is from Lansing, Mich., and attended Lansing Sexton High School…Packers LB Rashan Gary (2016-18) and G Jon Runyan (2016-19) played collegiate football at Michigan…Packers WR Jayden Reed began his collegiate career at Western Michigan (2018) and finished it at Michigan State (2020-22)…Packers defense coordinator Joe Barry held the same role with the Lions for two seasons (2007-08)…Barry also played at Michigan from 1989-90…Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich played at Michigan (2002-05) and later was a strength and conditioning intern (2011) and a graduate assistant (2012-13) for the Wolverines...Packers senior analyst Tim Lester served as the head coach at Western Michigan for six seasons (2017-22)…Lester also played collegiately for the Broncos from 1996-99 and served as their quarterbacks coach from 2005-06…Packers pass rush specialist Jason Rebrovich was the defensive line/head of strength and conditioning for Ferris State (Big Rapids, Mich.) in 2005-06…Packers defensive line/running game coordinator Jerry Montgomery coached the defensive line at Michigan from 2011-12…Packers chief of staff Darryl Franklin spent three years as a graduate assistant at Central Michigan University and was a player personnel intern with the Lions in 2008...Packers running backs coach Ben Sirmans coached at Michigan State for two seasons (2005-06)...Packers defensive backs coach Ryan Downard played collegiate football at Eastern Michigan (2007-10)...Packers passing game coordinator (defense) Greg Williams and Lions cornerbacks coach Dré Bly were college teammates at North Carolina…Lions quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell was selected by the Packers in the fifth round of the 1993 NFL Draft and spent the first two seasons of his career (1993-94) in Green Bay…Lions senior personnel executive John Dorsey spent 21 years as an executive with the Packers (1991-98, 2000-12) and also played in 76 games for the Packers from 1984-88…Lions senior offensive assistant Jim Hostler was Green Bay's passing game coordinator in 2018…Lions head equipment manager Tim O'Neil spent six seasons as an equipment assistant in Green Bay (1995-2000)…LaFleur and Barry were with the Rams when Lions QB Jared Goff and WR Josh Reynolds were on the roster and when Lions executive V.P. and general manager Brad Holmes served as the Rams' director of college scouting…Lions head coach Dan Campbell was the tight ends coach for the Dolphins when Packers assistant offensive line coach Ryan Mahaffey was a fullback for the team in 2012…Packers tight ends coach John Dunn was on the Bears' staff in 2016-17 when Lions senior defensive assistant John Fox was the head coach of Chicago…Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Sirmans coached on the same side of the ball at Boston College from 2009-11…Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn coached with Downard in Cleveland from 2014-15…Former college teammates include: Packers LB Lukas Van Ness, Lions LB Jack Campbell and TE Sam LaPorta (Iowa); Packers G Jon Runyan, LB Rashan Gary and Lions DL Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan); Packers LB Justin Hollins, Lions T Penei Sewell and S Brady Breeze (Oregon); Packers G/T Royce Newman and Lions DL Benito Jones (Mississippi); Packers RB AJ Dillon, LB Isaiah McDuffie and Lions CB Will Harris (Boston College); Packers DL Devonte Wyatt and Lions CB Jerry Jacobs (Hutchinson [Kan.] Community College); Packers C/G Josh Myers and Lions G Jonah Jackson (Ohio State).

Greetings, fellow enthusiasts! As someone deeply immersed in the world of football, especially when it comes to the Green Bay Packers, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise and a profound knowledge of the subject. My passion for the game extends beyond mere statistics, delving into the intricate details of team dynamics, historical matchups, and the nuances of the sport.

Now, let's dive into the rich tapestry of information encapsulated in the article about the upcoming clash between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions:

Head-to-Head History:
- The Green Bay Packers are set to face off against their division rivals, the Detroit Lions, in a Thursday Night Football showdown. This marks the first time the Packers will host the Lions on a Thursday.
- Since 1992, the Packers boast an impressive 28-4 record against the Lions in the state of Wisconsin, including a playoff victory in 1994.
- The Packers' dominance is evident in their regular-season series lead of 103-75-7 (.578), with two postseason victories against the Lions.
Recent Performance:
- In 2020, Green Bay scored 42 points against the Lions at Lambeau Field, the highest since their 45-point performance in 2011.
- The Packers continued their success in 2021 with a 35-point victory at home, maintaining their superiority over the Lions.
Seasonal Outlook:
- Despite the Lions ending the Packers' five-game win streak in the previous season, the Packers have historically swept the season series in two of the last four seasons and 11 times in the last 19 years.
Thursday Night Football History:
- This season will see two Thursday games between the Packers and the Lions, a rare occurrence highlighted by the Elias Sports Bureau as only the second time two teams have squared off multiple times on a Thursday in the same season.
Broadcast Information:
- The game will be broadcast nationally on Amazon Prime Video, WGBA-TV in the Green Bay market, and WITI-TV in the Milwaukee market.
- Notably, the Packers Radio Network, comprising 51 stations across several states, will cover the game. Wayne Larrivee and Larry McCarren will provide play-by-play and analysis.
Notable Connections:
- The article delves into the personal and professional connections between key figures in the Packers and Lions organizations, highlighting ties from college football to coaching staff relationships. Notable mentions include Packers head coach Matt LaFleur's Michigan roots and Packers LB Rashan Gary's collegiate football days at Michigan.
Upcoming Games:
- The article briefly mentions the Packers' Week 5 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football, marking the 31st consecutive season that Green Bay will play on MNF.

In essence, this article offers a comprehensive preview of the upcoming Packers vs. Lions game, touching on historical performance, recent matchups, broadcasting details, and intriguing connections among key personnel. As we eagerly anticipate the clash, the depth of information provided sets the stage for an informed and engaged football audience. Let the games begin!