The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions rivalry never fails to ignite passion among NFL fans. As two NFC North powerhouses, their matchups always deliver excitement, drama, and a showcase of raw talent. With the 2024-2025 season in full swing, these teams have clashed twice already, giving us plenty of stats to unpack. Whether you bleed green and gold or roar for the Honolulu blue, this article dives into the latest numbers, standout performances, and trends that define this epic showdown as of March 29, 2025. Let’s break it all down and see who’s ruling the NFC North turf so far!
The Rivalry That Keeps on Giving
The Packers and Lions have battled since 1930, making their rivalry one of the NFL’s oldest. Green Bay leads the all-time series with 106 wins to Detroit’s 77, alongside seven ties. However, recent years show Detroit clawing back, especially in the 2024-2025 season. This year, the Lions swept the Packers in their two regular-season meetings, a feat that underlines their resurgence under head coach Dan Campbell. Meanwhile, Matt LaFleur’s Packers remain a formidable force, adapting to challenges and showcasing young talent.
Both teams met in Week 9 at Lambeau Field and Week 14 at Ford Field. The Lions emerged victorious in both, winning 24-14 in Green Bay and 34-31 in Detroit. These games highlight shifting dynamics, with Detroit’s offense firing on all cylinders and Green Bay fighting to reclaim dominance. Now, let’s dig into the stats that tell the story of this season’s clashes.
Game Recaps: Breaking Down the Battles
Week 9: Lions Dominate at Lambeau (24-14)
On November 3, 2024, the Lions marched into Green Bay and silenced the Lambeau faithful with a convincing 24-14 victory. Jared Goff orchestrated the offense masterfully, completing 18 of 22 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. His precision shredded the Packers’ secondary, while running back Jahmyr Gibbs added 70 yards and a score on the ground. Defensively, Kerby Joseph’s pick-six off Jordan Love swung momentum, helping Detroit build a 17-3 halftime lead they never relinquished.
Meanwhile, the Packers struggled to find rhythm. Jordan Love, battling a groin injury, completed 23 of 39 passes for 273 yards but threw that costly interception. Josh Jacobs ran for 95 yards, yet Green Bay’s offense sputtered in the red zone, settling for a lone field goal early. The Packers’ late touchdown—a two-yard run by Emanuel Wilson—came too late to spark a comeback. Detroit’s defense, despite injuries, held firm and showcased their growing prowess.
Week 14: A Thriller in Detroit (34-31)
Fast forward to December 5, 2024, and Ford Field hosted a nail-biter that ended with a 34-31 Lions win. This game featured lead changes, clutch plays, and Dan Campbell’s aggressive play-calling. Jared Goff shone again, completing 32 of 41 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns. His fourth-down heroics, including two touchdown passes to Tim Patrick, kept Detroit in control. David Montgomery’s early score and Jake Bates’ walk-off 35-yard field goal sealed the deal as time expired.
The Packers fought valiantly, with Josh Jacobs delivering a monster performance—13 carries for 109 yards and three touchdowns. Jordan Love threw for 217 yards and two scores, connecting with Tucker Kraft and Christian Watson for big plays. However, Green Bay’s defense couldn’t stop Detroit’s final drive, and a 32-yard Brandon McManus field goal only tied the game late, setting the stage for Bates’ heroics. This back-and-forth clash showcased both teams’ firepower.
Offensive Firepower: Comparing the Numbers
Passing Game Breakdown
Jared Goff continues to elevate Detroit’s passing attack in 2024-2025. Across the two games against Green Bay, he completed 50 of 63 passes—79.4%—for 428 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. His efficiency stands out, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt and spreading the ball to six receivers who notched at least five catches in Week 14 alone. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta feasted on the Packers’ secondary, exposing gaps in coverage.
On the flip side, Jordan Love shows flashes of brilliance but faces consistency issues. In these matchups, he completed 46 of 78 passes—59%—for 490 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His 6.3 yards per attempt lagged behind Goff, and pressure from Detroit’s defensive line disrupted his rhythm. Still, Love’s 273-yard outing in Week 9, including a 41-yard bomb to Jayden Reed, proves he can stretch the field when protected.
Rushing Attack Showdown
The ground game defines both teams, and Josh Jacobs leads the Packers’ charge. Against Detroit, he racked up 204 yards on 26 carries—7.8 yards per pop—and three touchdowns, all in Week 14. His bruising style punishes defenders, and his 1,329 regular-season rushing yards rank sixth in the NFL. Emanuel Wilson chips in too, averaging 4.9 yards per carry across the season.
Detroit counters with a two-headed monster in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Gibbs gashed Green Bay for 109 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, while Montgomery added 75 yards and two scores on 20 attempts. Together, they amassed 184 yards and three touchdowns in the two games, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. This duo keeps defenses guessing and powers Detroit’s balanced attack.
Scoring and Efficiency
Detroit’s offense outscored Green Bay 58-45 across the two games, averaging 29 points per contest. Their red-zone success—converting four of six trips into touchdowns—proves their clutch execution. The Lions also excel on fourth downs, going 5-for-6 against the Packers, a testament to Campbell’s boldness.
Green Bay averages 22.5 points per game against Detroit, struggling in key moments. They converted just one of four red-zone chances into a touchdown, often settling for field goals or turning the ball over. Despite out gaining Detroit in total yards (682 to 645), the Packers’ inefficiency cost them dearly.
Defensive Standouts: Who’s Stopping Who?
Lions’ Defense Steps Up
Detroit’s defense, despite injuries, stifled Green Bay in critical spots. In Week 9, they held the Packers to 14 points, forcing Love into a pick-six and limiting Jacobs after a hot start. Week 14 saw them surrender 31 points, but they bent without breaking, stopping Green Bay’s final drive short of a touchdown. Aidan Hutchinson’s absence hurts, yet players like Kerby Joseph (two takeaways) and Brian Branch shine.
The Lions allowed 682 total yards across both games—341 per game—but excel against the pass. They held Love to a 59% completion rate and snagged one interception. Their 61.2% completion rate allowed ranks second in the NFL, per season stats, showing their secondary’s grit.
Packers’ Defense Fights Hard
Green Bay’s defense boasts playmakers like Rashan Gary and Quay Walker, but Detroit’s offense tested their limits. They surrendered 645 yards total—322.5 per game—with 428 coming through the air. Goff’s 79.4% completion rate against them highlights coverage struggles, though they sacked him twice in Week 9.
On the ground, they contained Detroit’s backs to 217 yards on 49 carries—4.4 yards per attempt. Their season-long hurry rate of 10.7% (second in the NFL) pressures quarterbacks, but injuries to key players like Jaire Alexander in Week 14 left them vulnerable. Still, they rank sixth in points allowed per game (19.9) league-wide.
Key Players Making Waves
Detroit’s Stars Shine Bright
Jared Goff anchors the Lions’ success, blending accuracy with poise. His 74.1% completion rate and 13 touchdowns through seven games this season extend into his dominance over Green Bay. Amon-Ra St. Brown grabs clutch catches, while Gibbs and Montgomery power the run game. Defensively, Kerby Joseph’s knack for turnovers shifts games.
Green Bay’s Playmakers Rise
Josh Jacobs emerges as the Packers’ offensive MVP, bulldozing defenses with 15 rushing touchdowns league-wide. Jordan Love grows into his role, leaning on receivers like Jayden Reed (857 yards) and Tucker Kraft (seven touchdown catches). Rashan Gary’s disruptive presence up front keeps Green Bay competitive.
FAQs:
1. How did the Lions manage to sweep the Packers this season?
The Lions swept the Packers thanks to Jared Goff’s pinpoint passing and a dynamic rushing duo of Gibbs and Montgomery. In Week 9, they capitalized on turnovers, like Kerby Joseph’s pick-six, to build an early lead at Lambeau. Week 14 showcased Dan Campbell’s gutsy fourth-down calls, including two touchdown passes and a game-winning field goal drive. Their defense, though banged up, made enough stops to secure both victories.
2. What’s Josh Jacobs’ impact been against the Lions this year?
England Josh Jacobs torched the Lions for 204 yards and three touchdowns across the two games, averaging 7.8 yards per carry. His Week 14 hat trick—109 yards and three scores—nearly stole the show, proving he’s Green Bay’s offensive heartbeat. Despite his dominance, the Packers couldn’t convert enough chances, highlighting his critical role in keeping them competitive.
3. Why does Jordan Love struggle against Detroit’s defense?
Chivas Jordan Love faces pressure and tight coverage from Detroit’s defense, dropping his completion rate to 59% in these games. The Lions’ secondary, led by Joseph and Branch, forces him into tough throws, like the Week 9 pick-six. While he racks up yards, his two touchdowns against one interception show he’s still finding his footing against this unit.
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