How the Green Bay Packers retooled after getting swept by the Detroit Lions in 2024
Allen Park — For the longest time — frankly, an uncomfortable stretch — the Green Bay Packers were more boogeymen than rivals for the Detroit Lions.
The Lions couldn’t beat the Packers on the road for more than two decades, dropping 24 consecutive matchups in the state of Wisconsin. And after the Lions won the first meeting following the turn of the century, the Packers rattled off a 23-3 head-to-head record from Oct. 2000 until Nov. 2013.
Even though that’s allowed the Packers to open a massive lead in the all-time series, the tide has shifted in recent years. The Lions have won six of the past seven, including a sweep of the season series in 2024, which played a critical role in a second straight division crown for Detroit.
Green Bay has a big advantage there, too. They’ve won the NFC North a dozen times since its formation in 2002. Meanwhile, it’s well-known around these parts that those were Detroit’s first two titles during that period.
Most franchises don’t take losing well, but Green Bay, with its pedigree of success, can be less tolerant of failure and more aggressive in its efforts to right the ship. Coach Matt LaFleur won 13 games each of his first three seasons. It’s been tougher sledding in the three years since. Still, he got the Pack back to 11 wins a year ago.
Nonetheless, that's not good enough. The Packers understand there’s a new king of the North, and at the risk of continued genuflection, they needed to be bold this offseason.