The Packers are desperate to show the Lions how much they have improved since their last game

GREEN BAY (AP) — The Green Bay Packers believe they have come a long way since their last meeting with the Detroit Lions nearly a month ago.

They get a chance to prove it on Thursday when they visit Detroit to complete three games in 12 days. The Packers must win this game — and avenge their 24-14 loss on Nov. 3 — to have a realistic chance of competing for the NFC North title.

Although the Packers (9-3) have put themselves in good shape to secure a playoff spot with three straight wins and seven of their last eight games, they remain two games behind the Lions (11-1). a half game behind Minnesota (9-2) in the NFC North. They also lost at home to both teams.

That makes the game on Thursday critical.

“With the guys on the other side winning so much, we have to do everything right from here on out,” running back Josh Jacobs said after the Packers’ 30-17 win over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night. “That’s what we’re trying to do.”

Packers coach Matt LaFleur acknowledges the challenge the Packers face in Detroit. He calls the Lions “the premier team in the National Football League.”

But he also believes the Packers are playing their best football of the season. They built a 27-3 lead over Miami four nights after a 38-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

These quick starts represent a sharp contrast to their loss to the Lions at Lambeau Field. The Packers let the Lions take a 24-3 lead in that game.

“The one thing that stands out to me is that we are physical in every phase of football, and I think that will serve us well,” LaFleur said Thursday night. “I think that gives you a chance every week, and it shows all over the tape, whether it’s our linebackers hitting people, whether it’s up front, whether it’s our receivers blocking.”

Packers center Josh Myers agrees that the Packers are playing better than they did in the last Lions game.

“I feel like we just found our rhythm,” Myers said. “We have settled in. All this time when we heard complementary football everywhere, I have the feeling that we can do it now.”

What works

The Packers avoided committing a turnover for the second straight game. … Green Bay sacked Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa five times and held Miami’s offense to three points in the first two and a half quarters. … After limiting San Francisco to 44 yards on 16 carries, the Packers held Miami to 39 yards on 14 carries. … The Packers built an early lead for the second straight game as they scored three touchdowns and two field goals in their first seven possessions. … The offensive line didn’t allow a sack.

What needs work

When Tagovailoa had enough time to throw, the Packers had trouble containing him. Tagovailoa threw for 365 yards, the highest total allowed by Green Bay this season. … The Packers had a handful of offside or false start penalties before the snap in the first half.

Stock up

QB Jordan Love has thrown four touchdown passes without an interception in his last two games. … WR Jayden Reed scored two touchdowns, raising his season total to seven (six receiving, one rushing). … TE Tucker Kraft tied a career high with six catches and had a team-high 74 yards. … CB Robert Rochell earned a game ball after recovering a botched punt to set up the Packers’ first touchdown. … DL Lukas Van Ness has suffered a sack in back-to-back games. … K Brandon McManus was 3 of 3 on field goal attempts and is 9 of 10 since joining the Packers.

Inventory reduced

LG Elgton Jenkins had an unnecessary roughness penalty that turned a potential fourth-and-goal from the 1 into a fourth-and-goal from the 15. The Packers settled for a 33-yard field goal from McManus on that drive.

Injuries

CB Corey Ballentine injured his knee in the opener. DL Arron Mosby was evaluated for a concussion. CB Jaire Alexander (knee) and LB Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring) missed their second straight game.

Key numbers

65 – LaFleur improved his regular-season record to 65-30 and ranked sole second for regular-season wins by a coach in his first six seasons, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. LaFleur was tied for second place with Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren and Andy Reid. The record belongs to George Seifert, who compiled a 75-21 regular season record in his first six years as San Francisco’s coach from 1989 to 1994.

Next Steps

The Packers will try to win in Detroit for the second straight year. The away team has won the last four games of this series.