Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers live score updates, highlights, more

Live score updates, highlights, analysis and injury news for Lions vs. Packers

The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions rivalry is here and the strongest it has ever been. For so long, it was a one-sided affair, but for the last two seasons, both teams have been in the upper echelon of the NFL.

In fact, for the first time in decades, the rivalry seemingly favors the Lions. Detroit has won five of the six games between the teams, including three straight in Green Bay.

But Thursday’s game will be in Ford Field, where the Lions last lost to the Packers on Thanksgiving. In that game they were handled decisively by the Packers, despite the relatively close 29-22 score. Detroit will undoubtedly be looking to right that wrong, but there’s a bigger storyline at play for the Lions.

Injury have run through the Lions’ defensive roster. It’s so bad that Detroit has four players on their active roster who joined the team less than a week ago: Jamal Adams, Myles Adams, Jonah Williams, and Kwon Alexander. Coach Dan Campbell said he wouldn’t be surprised if all four players contributed on Thursday night, and, indeed, all four are active.

That’s because the Lions are missing a dozen players on defense, most of which are on their front seven. Notably, the Lions will be without Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, DJ Reader, Josh Paschal, Levi Onwuzurike, Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, and Malcolm Rodriguez. That’s a tough injury list to overcome, but if the Lions can somehow do it, they will cement themselves as NFC North favorites and hold onto their place atop the entire conference. With only four weeks of regular season football to play, that would be a huge statement win.

Can they do it?

We’ll be providing live updates from Ford Field on Thursday night right here in this post. Simply come back at kickoff (around 8:15 p.m. ET) and refresh the page as the game continues. We’ll add drive-by-drive analysis, scoring summaries, highlights, and more.

See you kickoff!

First quarter

The Packers won the toss and deferred, giving Jared Goff and the offense the opportunity to take the field first. Detroit converted an early third-and-2 with a 4-yard pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown. David Montgomery then busted a few tackles for a 13 yards and into Packers territory. The on third-and-3, Jared Goff found Jameson Williams for 28 yards down to the Packers’ 10-yard line.

At first, it looked like the drive may stall after a first-down holding on Dan Skipper, but on third-and-goal from the 7-yard line, the Packers committed an illegal contact penalty, giving Detroit a fresh set of downs. On the very next play, David Montgomery walked in for a 3-yard touchdown. 7-0 Lions.

The Lions patchwork defense then took the field, and immediately picked up a sack via Za’Darius Smith.

But Green Bay was bailed out on third down with a pass interference call on Brian Branch. On the next play, Alim McNeill—the last remaining piece of the starting defensive line—went into the blue medical tent and was evaluated for a concussion. He would miss a series but return in the second quarter. Detroit did get off the field, though, after a deep shot from Jordan Love fell incomplete.

The Lions couldn’t build on their initial offensive drive, quickly going three-and-out. On third-and-5, Goff was sacked.

Starting at midfield, the Packers had a chance to get on the scoreboard, but Lions pressure forced yet another incompletion from Love on third down. And for the second time in as many drive, Green Bay punted.

Detroit was only able to pick up a single first down on the ensuing drive. Jahmyr Gibbs was tackled for a big loss on third-and-5. Right guard Kevin Zeitler missed a series on that drive after heading to the medical tent, but he returned to the sidelines.