The NFC North is easily the best division in the NFL right now. The Detroit Lions have the lead with an 11-1 record, but the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers are right behind them. The Vikings are in second place at 10-2 with the tiebreaker over the Packers, while Green Bay is 9-3. Every game from here on out, divisional or not, will be crucial for all three teams.

Another thing in common between all three of those teams? Defensive end Za’Darius Smith has played for them. Smith was drafted originally by the Baltimore Ravens back in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. After four years with the Ravens, Smith signed with the Packers, where he had the best two years of his career. Smith was a two-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro, getting 26 sacks in his two seasons there. After only playing in one game in 2021 due to a back injury, Smith would leave Green Bay and sign with the Vikings in 2022.

Smith was up to his old ways with the Vikings, becoming a Pro Bowler, All-Pro, and winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year, finishing with 10 sacks. So Smith has played his best football with those two NFC North teams, and so far with the Lions, he has been very helpful in the Lions’ pass rush needs with star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson out with a broken leg. Smith will be facing the Packers for the third time since playing for them, and this one will be the biggest of them all. Here’s why I think Smith must have a big game against the Packers on “Thursday Night Football.”

Smith is the best pass rusher on the team

The Lions knew what they were getting when they traded for Smith away from the Cleveland Browns: a veteran pass-rusher who can step up and become a playmaker for this defense. With the Lions losing defensive players to injuries at all three levels, Smith has come in to help reinforce the defensive line. Since arriving in Detroit, Smith has played in just three games and has five tackles, two sacks, and a tackle for loss.

In Cleveland this season, Smith had 27 pressures, 20 hurries, and two QB hits. With just three games in Detroit, he has 17 pressures, 12 hurries, and two QB hits.

If the Lions decide to keep Smith after this season, he and Hutchinson could be the best defensive end duo in the NFL in 2025. For now, Smith is the best option this team has, and with a banged-up defense, he continues to showcase that even with players down, this defense can still be effective.

Revenge is on the mind

Before he was even on the Lions, Smith had his sights set on the Packers and the Vikings when asked about possibly getting traded to Detroit. He told The Chronicle-Telegram back on Oct. 18, “If I was to go to Detroit, I would like it, because I get to play Green Bay twice a year and the Vikings twice a year. So, yeah, that’ll be big.” Revenge was already on Smith’s mind in Cleveland, and now he has a chance to defeat his former teams.

When facing up against the Packers when he was with the Vikings, Smith had four tackles and a sack in the two games. With this game being on primetime on “Thursday Night Football,” he will have a chance to show the country what he is about against his former team.

Packers pass protection is tough

The pass protection of the Packers will make things challenging for Smith. They have PFF’s highest team pass blocking grade (83.2) in the league. The Packers allow an average of 1.3 sacks per game, the second fewest in the NFL. The last time these two teams played this season, the Lions weren’t able to take down Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who was playing on an injured groin. Now healthy, the job gets even more challenging.

Packers right tackle Zach Tom is the best pass blocker on the team with an 82.4 pass-blocking grade, only allowing 15 pressures and a sack this season. Left tackle Rasheed Walker has an 81.3 pass-blocking grade, allowing 23 pressures and two sacks. Smith will have his work cut out for him, but I believe he will do everything he can to get a sack against the Packers. Luckily for Smith, Detroit has some help elsewhere on the defensive line in defensive tackles DJ Reader (if he can make it through injury) and Alim McNeill. If they can get some pressure on the interior, Smith can take advantage of the tackles.