Packers ready to show the Lions how much they've improved since their last matchup

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers believe they've come a long way since they last faced the Detroit Lions nearly a month ago.

They get a chance to prove it Thursday when they visit Detroit to close a stretch of three games in 12 days. The Packers need to win that game — and avenge a 24-14 loss from Nov. 3 — to have any realistic chance of contending for the NFC North title

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

That makes Thursday's game critical.

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

Packers coach Matt LaFleur acknowledges the challenge the Packers will 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 against Miami four nights after rolling to a 38-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Those fast starts represent a sharp contrast from their loss to the Lions at Lambeau Field. The Packers allowed the Lions to grab a 24-3 lead in that one.

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

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

“I feel like we just found our rhythm,” Myers said. “We’ve settled in. That whole time you kept hearing complementary football being thrown around everywhere, I feel like we’re doing that now."

The Packers avoided committing a turnover for a second straight game. ... Green Bay sacked Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa five times and held Miami's offense to three points over the first 2 1/2 quarters. ... After limiting San Francisco to 44 yards on 16 carries, the Packers held Miami to 39 yards on 14 rushes. ... The Packers built a big lead early for a second straight game, as they got three touchdowns and two field goals out of their first seven possessions. ... The offensive line didn't allow a sack.

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

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

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

CB Corey Ballentine hurt his knee on the opening kickoff. DL Arron Mosby was evaluated for a concussion. CB Jaire Alexander (knee) and LB Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring) missed their second straight games.

65 - LaFleur improved his regular-season record to 65-30 and moved into sole possession of second place for regular-season wins by a coach in his first six seasons, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. LaFleur had been tied for second place with Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren and Andy Reid. The record is owned by George Seifert, who had a 75-21 regular-season record from 1989-94 in his first six years as San Francisco's coach.

The Packers will try to win in Detroit for a second straight season. The road team has won the last four games in this series.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs from Miami Dolphins linebacker Tyrel Dodson (11) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) runs from Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks (20) during a 12-yard touchdown reception in the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) celebrates after catching a 12-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) runs from Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks (20) during a 12-yard touchdown reception in the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Six Democratic members of Congress from Connecticut were targeted by bomb threats on their homes Thursday, the lawmakers or their offices said.

Sen. Chris Murphy and all five House members — Reps. Jim Himes, Joe Courtney, John Larson, Jahana Hayes and Rosa DeLauro — reported being the subject of such threats. Police who responded said they found no evidence of explosives on the lawmakers' properties.

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal told reporters Friday he did not receive a bomb threat on Thursday but was targeted as recently as a couple weeks ago, adding of such threats, “Unfortunately, very regrettably, they are part of our life.”

The bomb threats against Democrats happened a day after a number of President-elect Donald Trump ’s most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees reported that they had received such threats, as well as “swatting attacks," in which perpetrators initiate an emergency law enforcement response against a victim under false pretenses.

Murphy's office said his Hartford home was the target of a bomb threat, “which appears to be part of a coordinated effort involving multiple members of Congress and public figures.” Hartford Police and U.S. Capitol Police determined there was no threat.

DeLauro said in a Thursday evening post on X that the New Haven Police Department's bomb squad responded to the threat and “determined no bomb was present at our home. I am thankful for their swift response & relieved no one was harmed.”

Hayes said the Wolcott Police Department informed her Thursday morning that it had received “a threatening email stating a pipe bomb had been placed in the mailbox at my home.” State police, U.S. Capitol Police, and the House sergeant at arms were notified, Wolcott and state police responded “and no bomb or explosive materials were discovered.”

Courtney's Vernon home received a bomb threat while his wife and children were there, his office said.

Himes said he was told of the threat against his home during a Thanksgiving celebration with his family. The U.S. Capitol Police, and Greenwich and Stamford police departments responded.

Hines extended his family's “utmost gratitude to our local law enforcement officers for their immediate action to ensure our safety.” Echoing other lawmakers who were threatened, he added: “There is no place for political violence in this country, and I hope that we may all continue through the holiday season with peace and civility.”

Larson also said Thursday that East Hartford Police responded to a bomb threat against his home.

The FBI declined to give details on the latest episodes except to say it is investigating them in partnership with other agencies.

The threats follow an election season marked by violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing him in the ear and killing one of his supporters. The Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Trump’s West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing.

Among those who received threats Wednesday were New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations; Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general; Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, whom Trump chose to lead the Department of Labor, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, who has been tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.

FILE - Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney speaks during the 2nd Congressional debate at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Conn., Oct. 21, 2010. (Aaron Flaum/The Bulletin via AP, File)

FILE - Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., joined at right by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., questions House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

FILE - Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., speaks with The Associated Press about his new role on the House Intelligence Committee, in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)