Packers vs. Lions: Two must-know storylines for Thanksgiving Day showdown

The Thanksgiving Day spread looks pretty tasty, but you had better leave room for three helpings.

All three Thursday games have significant playoff implications and compelling storylines. Prepare your holiday plans carefully.

The opener, Packers-Lions, isn't just the most common Thanksgiving matchup of all time, with Thursday being the 23rd holiday meeting between the two teams. It's also currently a battle for second place in the NFC North, with both teams chasing the first-place Bears.

The second game, Chiefs at Cowboys, pits only the second meeting of Dak Prescott and Patrick Mahomes. But following the Chiefs' season-saving comeback against the Colts and the Cowboys' 21-point rally against the Eagles, both teams' postseason chances are on the rise.

And in the nightcap, better save room for the suddenly hot Ravens against the Bengals in Joe Burrow's return.

If that won't leave you stuffed and satisfied, nothing will.

Two must-know storylines

1) Packers hope to keep strong defense, road strength going

Green Bay has the hardest remaining schedule, with a .636 opponent win percentage and four of the final seven games on the road, starting with Thursday in Detroit. After a loss and a tie on the road to start their season, the Packers have won three straight away from home -- with the defense leading the way. They have held each of their past four opponents (and eight on the season) to 20 points or fewer, the second-longest current streak in the NFL behind Baltimore. The Lions are 7-1 when they score 21-plus points in 2025, so Green Bay's mission is clear: Keep this one under 20. The Packers dominated the Lions defensively in Week 1, which was Micah Parsons' debut, holding Detroit to 3.8 yards per play and 2.1 yards per rush. Jordan Love and the offense, which might still be without running back Josh Jacobs and wide receivers Matthew Golden and Jayden Reed, can't just put the game entirely in the defense's hands, but it feels like that unit might need another big performance to sweep the Lions this season.

2) Gibbs is key to Lions' offensive mojo

Want to stop the Lions? First you have to try to stop Jahmyr Gibbs. The Lions offense is dangerous because of its multiplicity, but Gibbs appears to be the engine that gets this unit going. That was on display in Sunday's victory over the Giants, when Gibbs ran 15 times for 219 yards and two TDs, including the 69-yard OT game winner. He also caught 11 of his 12 targeted passes for 45 yards and another score. It felt at times in that game like the Lions were counting on Gibbs to bail them out of a tougher-than-expected battle. The Packers held him to 19 yards on nine carries and 31 yards on 10 catches -- less than 3.0 yards per touch -- and dominated Detroit in Week 1. In the Lions' seven victories, Gibbs has averaged 7.6 yards per touch and scored 13 touchdowns. In their four losses, he has been held to 4.4 yards per touch and held out of the end zone completely. Jared Goff has most of his passing game weapons at his disposal, and it remains a dangerous operation, but his sack rate is higher than normal. When the Lions are at their most healthy offensively is when they're feeding Gibbs and David Montgomery and staying ahead of the sticks.

Packers' Week 13 injury report

Lions' Week 13 injury report