NFL Week 12 Picks: Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Thursday, 11/24/11, 12:30 PM EST, TV: FOX
Opening Point Spread: Green Bay -6.5
Current Betting Line: Green Bay -6
Opening Total: 56
Current Total: 56
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Lions Redskins NFL Preview — Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford will look to guide the team to its first win on Thanksgiving Day since 2003

Green Bay will be the first undefeated NFL team to play on Thanksgiving Day since the franchise visited the Detroit Lions in 1962. The Packers have tallied an impressive 9-1 mark in the series under the direction of head coach Mike McCarthy. “There’s a lot of guys that have some bruises and things they’re dealing with, but we feel we’re healthy and we’ll be ready to go,” stated McCarthy on Monday. One of the players that could be missing from the lineup is running back James Starks, as he deals with a knee sprain that has him questionable. Green Bay is 9-7 ATS versus the division the last two-plus years, with the ‘under’ being 10-6 in those contests.

The Packers have won 16 consecutive games when you included the playoffs are are off to only their fifth 5-0 start on the road in franchise history. Green Bay’s offense has been spectacular this year and is on pace for 568 points, which would break the team record of 461 points set in 2009. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is certainly the leader of the group, connecting on 72.3 percent of his passes for 3,168 yards and 31 touchdowns with just four interceptions. On the defensive side of the ball, the unit leads the league with 19 picks.

Detroit must win Thursday’s game to have any shot at winning the NFC North division, sitting in a second-place tie with the Chicago Bears, three games back of this week’s opponent. The Lions will also be looking to score their first victory on Thanksgiving Day since 2003, something that had many calling for the team to be replaced as one of the hosts on the holiday. “This is something we definitely want to take back into control,” stated Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. The Lions have alternated wins and losses in their last four games, coming off a 49-35 win over the Carolina Panthers as seven-point favorites. Detroit is 5-2 ATS as a home underdog of 3.5 to 7 points the last two-plus years.

The Lions will certainly play with confidence knowing they beat the Packers in last year’s meeting inside Ford Field, sacking Rodgers two times in a 7-3 win. Detroit knows it must get after the Packers signal-caller who has been sacked 25 times this season. Offensively, third-year quarterback Matthew Stafford posted the highest passer rating (121.9) in team history last time out, while tying the team record with five touchdown passes.