Each team, the Packers and the Lions, are sitting at 8-8.
With a win during the Week 18 matchup, both teams could be in with a shot at clinching a playoff spot.
To be in the playoffs, all that is required for the Packers to succeed is a win. If the Rams beat the Seahawks, it will be a win-and-get-in scenario for Dan Campbell’s Packers team.
The playoff implications of the NFC North divisional game led to the NFL flexing the game for NBC’s Sunday Night Football telecast.
It’s not only the Lions annual Thanksgiving game. This is the Lions’ first national-televised season game. And it marks the first primetime game since Week 2. The game was broadcast on ESPN as a Monday Night Football match, which happened to also be against Lambeau’s Packers.
A significant percentage of Detroit’s youth roster has never played in primetime. This includes Lions rookie EDGE Aidan Hutchinson.
(c) Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
Hutchinson was the No. Hutchinson, the No. 2 pick in 2022’s draft is thrilled to be playing in his first primetime game as a professional.
“No doubt. It is huge. Obviously, we can’t control our entire destiny. We can only control our destiny. Hutchinson said Thursday that it was going to be fun. We’re going — we’re going to — it’s just too exciting, man to be in primetime. I also plan to have my introduction here for Sunday Night Football. It will be — I love everything about playing in primetime games, and being a part of one of these primetime teams, so it’s something I hope to become used to.
Hutchinson, along with his team-mates, will need to adjust to this if they want to continue their winning streak into 2023. Detroit is now 7-1 after starting 2022 with just 1-6 records. The Lions are a worthy team that deserves primetime next season if they win against Aaron Rodgers & Co. Sunday’s victory will be a significant boost to their standing.
Hutchinson’s main concern is filming the intro for his player on NBC. On Thursday, he admitted to having spent some time preparing for Sunday Night Football’s intro.
Hutchinson replied, “A few times,” when Hutchinson was asked if he had practiced the intro for the broadcast. It’s so obvious. It’s iconic to me, I think. It’s going to be great with everyone. As I mentioned, I love everything about football.
The Lions forced Rodgers into throwing three interceptions in the season’s first match (Week 9). This resulted in a win for Ford Field of 15-9. Hutchinson had one of the three picks. He also contributed two tackles as well as two pressures.
Rodgers called the intercept by Hutchinson, a first-year professional, a “gift”. Hutchinson would, however, be happy to receive another pick Sunday from future Pro Football Hall of Famer.
It would be great to get another gift. “It would be cool,” said the rookie defensive lineman. He won’t have it so easy the next time. “But, no. I am fired up and ready for anything.”
Hutchinson is a player who plays at a high level of motor and is ready to take on Sunday Night Football.
Hutchinson stated that, “I’m sorry that there weren’t any (national television games) this season, except for the Thanksgiving game,” Hutchinson added. This one was special and we will hopefully have many more. “So, yes, it’s going to be special. I will take full advantage and have my best game.”
Jameson Williams, a rookie pick in the 2022 draft — can be added to your list. The Lions will be adding Jameson Williams, the No. 12 draft pick, to their list of players looking forward to a Sunday contest at the end-of the season.
Williams stated Thursday that “yesh, it is a game where there are a lot of stakes.” We’re only coming prepared. So far, we’ve had an amazing week of practice. The question is who wants it most. Both teams have a lot at stake. We’re trying to win and we just want to be as prepared as possible.