Packers fall to Lions at Ford Field on Thanksgiving, 40-10

DETROIT (WITI) -- The Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28th fell to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, 40-10.

Packers QB Matt Flynn started for the Pack this week. This, as Rodgers remains out with a fractured collarbone.

Thursday's matchup marked the fourth Thanksgiving Day game between the teams in Detroit in the last seven seasons.

The Packers emerged victorious in each of the last three meetings with the Lions on Thanksgiving, winning games in 2007, 2009 and 2011.

But to lead this year's "Turkey Bowl" would be a struggle for Green Bay.

Detroit came out hard in the first half -- specifically on their 1st drive; 9 plays for 74 yards. But it ended when Packers Linebacker Clay Matthews forced Lion's RB Reggie Bush to fumble.  However, Green Bay was unable to capitalize on the opportunity on the next drive, not scoring in 7 plays and the game was tied at 0 after the first quarter.

After the fumble, Bush began to pick up yards for the Lion's and helped set up kicker, David Akers, for a 27 yard for the field goal.  Detroit led 3-0 with 14:56 left in the second quarter.

A couple minutes later Packers Kicker, Mason Crosby struck a 54 yarder that tied the game at 3.

On the Lion's next drive, the Pack got lucky when Morgan Burnett ran for a 1 yard touchdown on a fumble return and Green Bay lead 10-3.

However, the Packer's D started to unfold and Bush and the Lion's opportunities became greater.  With 4:37 left in the half former Packer, Jeremy Ross caught a 5 yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to tie it at 10.

On the Packer's next drive it was 3 and out for QB Matt Flynn and Detroit's offense took advantage of the Pack's crumbling D.  Reggie Bush scored a one yard TD with 2:38 left in the half to make it 17-10 Lions.

The Pack went 3 and out again and Detroit's Akes attempted a 31 yard Field Gield to try to take Green Bay into the half trailing 20-10. However Akes missed and the Pack got lucky.  Detroit lead 17-10 at the half and out numbered the Pack in total yards 340-42 with Reggie Bush accounting for 132 of them.

The 2nd half is where the Packers completely fell apart.  Lion's Calvin Johnson caught a 20 yard touchdown pass from Stafford to put Detroit ahead 24-10 with 9:15 left in the 3rd.

Things got worse when Flynn was sacked by Ndamukong Suh in the end zone for a Detroit safety -- making it 26-10.

Detroit would go onto add 2 more touchdowns to secure the victory.  The first was with 13:10 left in the 4th quarter, Joique Bell ran 1 yard, making it 33-10.  Kevin Ogletree caught a 20 yard pass from Stafford with 4:23 left, making the final score 40-10.

Comparing Detroit and Green Bay's numbers is almost painful.  Detroit had 30 first downs; Green Bay 7.  The Lions finished with 561 total yards; the Packers had 126.

The Packers also only had one sack, by Nick Perry, compared to Detroit's seven on Matt Flynn.

The game on Thanksgiving marks the 21st all-time meeting between the Packers and the Lions on Thanksgiving, with the Lions holding an 11-8-1 edge in the series on the holiday.

The Packers take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 8th at Lambeau Field.

Kickoff is set for noon -- and you can catch the game on FOX6!