There are five weeks left in the 2024 regular season, and several teams are looking to make the playoffs. The Chiefs and Bills are the only teams that have already secured playoff spots. That means seven NFC playoff spots are five weeks away.
The Packers travel on the road to face the Lions in Week 14 on Thursday Night Football. With a win over their NFC North rivals, Detroit could become the first NFC team to clinch a playoff spot. With 9 wins and 3 losses, Green Bay still has a chance of advancing to the postseason. It will be a tough game for the Lions, who are suffering from major injuries on defense. The Packers are also hurt and will be missing key players on both sides of the ball. Detroit is favored by 3.5 points against Green Bay at home tonight.
Which players have already been ruled out of TNF for Week 14?
For TNF Showdown:
— #packers CB Jaire Alexander (knee) and WR Romeo Doubs (concussion) have been ruled out.
— #Lions OT Taylor Decker and DL Josh Paschal, Levi Onwuzurike and DJ Reader have been ruled out.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 4, 2024
No team has been dealing with more long-term injuries defensively this season than the Lions. Detroit currently has 13 defensive players on IR. The next closest team is 7. Despite the injuries, the Lions are on a 10-game winning streak and have been playing well most of the time. Taylor Decker, Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Pashcal and DJ Readers all stepped up for the Lions on Thursday. While not ideal for the Lions, their offense was able to keep the team going while the defense attempted to recover.
In Green Bay, Jaire Alexander, Romeo Doubs, Edgerrin Cooper and Corey Balentine face the Lions. The Packers are 7-1 in their last eight games. A win tonight against the Packers would keep their hopes of winning the division in 2024 alive. They’ve already lost once to Detroit this season. Running back Josh Jacobs has a calf injury but is expected to play in Thursday night’s important divisional game. He carried the ball 19 times for 43 yards and a rushing touchdown last week. Jacobs also added four catches for 74 yards. If Green Bay wants to beat the Lions, they’re going to need that type of guy to produce tonight.
