For the first time in a decade, the Green Bay Packers are heading to Detroit for a Thanksgiving Day contest and, for the first time in recent memory, the Lions are the franchise trending upward, with the Packers facing an uncertain future in the midst of an mediocre season.
Green Bay (14-20-2 on Thanksgiving) hasn't played in Detroit on the holiday since 2013 and hasn't won since 2011. The last game, an ugly 40-10 setback, came with Matt Flynn at quarterback as Aaron Rodgers worked his way back from injury. The loss left the Packers 5-6-1 and Detroit at 7-5, but in true epic Detroit fashion, the Lions would lose their final four games, finish 7-9, and the Packers would win the division by beating the Chicago Bears on the final day of the season.