NFL capsule: Green Bay at Detroit
Green Bay (6-4) at Detroit (2-8)
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Television: Channel 11.
Line: Packers by 11.
Over/Under: 47.5.
Story line: The Lions were without their two best players -- quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Calvin Johnson -- when the Packers beat them, 26-0, in Week 6. That might be the case again today, as Stafford is nursing a sprained left shoulder, and Johnson is battling hand and knee injuries. Green Bay has dominated this series lately, winning 16 of 18, and Packers Coach Mike McCarthy has never lost to the Lions. What’s more, the Lions have lost five in a row of their traditional Thanksgiving Day games. They have shown some life lately, though, gutting out a dramatic victory over Cleveland on Sunday. At 6-4, the Packers are three games behind Minnesota in the NFC North but are still in the thick of the NFC wild-card race. They have won two in a row since their stunning loss at winless Tampa Bay. For the most part, their defense has played well lately. But this is a concern: cornerback Al Harris and outside linebacker Aaron Kampman are out for the season because of knee injuries.
Sam Farmer’s pick: Packers 30, Lions 20.
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