direct pass form him, as is done in most showy spread formations. Meanwhile, the other three backs lined up on the far side of the field side by side, a couple yards removed from the line of scrimmage. The formation is particularly effective for short gains. It enables five pass receivers to get into the Lion secondary in a hurry. And three of them are over on the side with plenty of room to fake and maneuver. The defense against such a formation, in these days of brainpower football, is too intricate to detail. But, in the words of defensive halfback Jack Christiansen, "It's one that worries us." That isn't all the Packers will use. They'll run the T-formation with Kentucky's Babe Parilli passing. Meanwhile, the Lions passing attack will suffer. Only one of four regular offensive ends - Bill Swiacki - is physically sound. Giant Leon Hart and Cloyce Box will probably play but will run at reduced effectiveness because of leg injuries. Jim Doran is a maybe - yes, maybe - no performer Thursday. Short of ends, the Lions were upset 24-23 by the Chicago Bears Sunday. The Lions also are aching at left halfback, Jug Girard. The fill-in for Doak Walker came up with a sore knee Sunday. Walker hasn't played regularly since the second game of the season, but insists he is ready to play Thursday. Walker also has leg troubles. Others who visited Orthopedic hospital Monday were tackle Lou Creekmur, defensive back Don Doll, linebacker Dick Flanagan and quarterback Tom Dublinski.

PACKERS OUTSCORE OPPONENTS, 112-55, IN FOUR VICTORIES

NOV 25 (Green Bay) - The interception and fumble-lost columns of the Packer-Texan and Packer-Lion games were quite similar. Yet there was a vast difference in the final scores of the two games, the Lions whipping Green Bay, 52-17, and the Bays downing the Texans, 42-14. This would indicate an equally vast difference in the caliber of the two Packer opponents. Yet, as they say, a team is allowed to place only 11 men on the field at the same time and the respective foes put on the trousers the same way - one leg at a time. The Packers had five passes intercepted and lost four fumbles in the Detroit game, and collapsed. The same team had five passes intercepted and lost three fumbles in the Texan game, and won - going away. How come? Improvement seems to the best and most logical answer! Since Detroit, the Packers won four straight. In those four, Coach Gene Ronzani's boys outscored their opponents, 112 points to 55, 15 touchdowns to 7, and 3 field goals to 2. The Big Four included two landslides - 41 to 28 over the Chicago Bears and 42-14 over the Texans; one tight squeeze - 12 to 10 over Philadelphia; and a "cross" between the two - 17 to 3 over the New York Giants. Actually, the only obvious scoring errors in the four games were the two extra point misses by fullback Fred Cone in the Philadelphia game. But it was a wonderful lesson for Freddie, who followed with 13 straight PATs, including six over the Texans. The Packers, as the scoring indicates, have improved tremendously in the mechanical department - naturally a must if victories are to be accomplished. But just as important, the Packers have improved equally in the morale section. From a new and fresh mental outlook - born after the Detroit debacle - grew a revival of the old Green Bay Packer spirit. Actually, that Lion loss "made" the Packers. And, by golly, the second Lion game Thanksgiving day could really "make" them what we never even dared dream - champions! Last Sunday's game was the Packers' first experience on a slippery field, although the Giant gridiron was muddy in spots. At the Packer Alumni gathering Saturday night, Ronzani was understandably worried as the snow poured down. "Snow, rain or a bad field are the greatest equalizer in football," he said. Fortunately, the next day bloomed sunny and all of the snow was swept off the field long before game time. At the opening kickoff, however, there were puddles of water in various spots. The Packers' game Thursday marks the start of the "fourth quarter" for both clubs. The Bays broke even in the first half, splitting even in six games, but they swept all three in the third quarter. The Detroits won four and lost two in the first half and worked a 2-1 record in the third frame. The Packers, who intercepted four Texan passes, now have stolen 17 enemy throws. Bobby Dillon has pilfered four and Dom Moselle, Ace Loomis and Captain Bob Forte three each. Forte's trio is amazing in view of the fact that he toils as a linebacker. Deral Teteak, also a linebacker, grabbed one. Dan Sandifer intercepted two and Clarence Self one.

PACKERS POISED FOR TV GAME

NOV 25 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers appeared confident that "we can win it" as they finished heavy practice Tuesday for their showdown struggle with the Detroit Lions in Detroit Thanksgiving Day. Kickoff in the coast-to-coast televised battle is set for 11 a.m., Milwaukee time. The Packers have revenge in mind. They can't forget the 52 to 17 beating the Lions handed them before a sellout crowd here October 26. The Packers, who finished with a 3-9 record a year ago, will be seeking their seventh win of the current season, but experts figure the Lions to win by some eight points. All of which is a break for the Packers because they have been successful as underdogs this season. Packer Head Coach Gene Ronzani and his players felt optimistic Tuesday because of the big improvement shown in the last four triumphs. They outscored their foes, Philadelphia, Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Dallas Texans, 112 points to 55. Undisputed possession of first place in the National Conference will be at stake - at least until next Sunday when Los Angeles and the Forty-niners clash in Sanf Francisco. The four clubs are locked in a first place tie (6-3 records).

PACKERS FACE DETROIT NEXT

NOV 25 (Detroit) - The hospital corridors overflowed with Detroit Lions football players Monday - just 72 hours before the battle for first place with the Green Bay Packers here Thursday morning. The game will be televised by WTMJ-TV at 11 o'clock, Milwaukee time. Of the Lions' 33 players eight went to Osteopathic hospital for treatment. Included were backs Jug Girard, Don Doll Tom Dublinski and Doak Walker; ends Cloyce Box and Leon Hart, and linemen Dick Flanagan and Lou Creekmur. One other player, end Jim Dooley, received locker room treatment for an injury. All will probably be able to play Thursday but none will be at full efficiency. A crowd of 40,000 to 50,000 is expected. The Packers and Lions each have 6-3 records in the National Conference of the NFL and share first place with San Francisco and Los Angeles. The winner will move into first place alone. The winner will move into first place alone. The other leaders will not play until Sunday.

RONZANI CALLS PLAYERS 'MIRACLE MEN'

NOV 25 (Green Bay) - Gene Ronzani, coach of the surprising Green Bay Packers, said Monday his team's rise to a tie for first place in the NFL probably amazed everyone '"except the fans in Green Bay." Rozani, in his third year as head man of the Packers, said "up here the fans think we're all miracle men and I guess we just have to live up to it." The youthful Packers moved into a four-way tie for first place in the National Conference Sunday with a 42-14 thumping of the Dallas Texans. The Packers' rapid advance to the top is all the more amazing when one checks the team's roster and find 13 rookies on the squad and seven others who were castoffs from other clubs and have never played in Green Bay uniforms before. "We started out the season with a bunch of possibilities and most of them have turned out better than we could ever have hoped," Ronzani said. "The most improved man on the team is John Martinkovic, and Ab Wimberly is doing a fine job now, too." Both Martinkovic and Wimberly are defensive players and Ronzani said it was the sterling play of the defensive platoon in recent games which had given the team four straight wins and a share of the top spot in the league standings. "Of course, they've been aided by a lot of good men all along the line and in the backfield," Rozani said. "The team has looked better with each succeeding game and you can't tell how far we'll go." Green Bay has three tough games remaining on its schedule, one each with Detroit, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Those are the three National Conference teams with which Green Bay is tied for first place. Each team has won six and lost three. "I think the winner will lose four games when it's all over," Rozani said. "Each team has three games left and I doubt if anyone will go the rest of the way without a defeat." The immediate problem for the Packers is to get past Detroit Thanksgiving Day at Detroit. The traditional holiday game could either make or break the Packer title hopes since they then go to the West Coast to play the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. "We have a young team and the boys made a lot of mistakes, but they are pulling together," Ronzani said. "I've never seen such spirit." The coach knows what it means to be on a championship team. He won nine letters at Marquette University and then was a player and assistant coach with the Chicago Bears for 16 years. He was on three championship Bear teams. Ronzani was a halfback in his playing days and teamed with Bronco Nagurski, Carl Brumbaugh and Beattie Feathers to form one of the Bears' greatest backfield in the 1930s, then shifting over to the quarterback post.

LIONS WORRIED ABOUT INJURIES, PACKER FORMATIONS

NOV 25 (Detroit) - In between their trips to the hospital, the Detroit Lions are worrying about a tricky, spread formation the Green Bay Packers own. The Lions, with nine of 33 players injured, battle the Packers here Thanksgiving Day before a crowd that may hit 45,000 if the weather is fair. At stake: first place in the National Conference. The combatants are rolled up now in a four-way tie with San Francisco and Los Angeles, who don't play each other until Sunday. The Packers have shown improvement since the Lions beat them earlier 52-17. And they've shown the following dangerous formation, which was also used against Detroit with great success. Passer Tobin Rote stands about seven feet behind the center and takes a direct pass from him, as is done in most showy spread formations. Meanwhile the other three backs line up of the far side of the field side by side, a couple yards moved from the line of scrimmage. The formation is particularly effective for short gains. It enables five pass receivers to get into the Lion secondary in a hurry. And three of them are over on the side with plenty of room to fake and maneuver. The defense against such a formation, in these days of brainpower football, is too intricate to detail. But in the words of defensive halfback Jack Christiansen, "It's one that worries us." That isn't all the Packers will use. They'll run the T-formation with Kentucky's Babe Parilli passing. Meanwhile the Lions passing attack will suffer. Only one of four regular offensive ends - Bill Swiacki - is physically sound. Giant Leon Hart and Cloyce Box will probably play but will run at reduced effectiveness because of leg injuries. Jim Doran is a maybe-year, maybe-no performer Thursday. Short of end, the Lions were upset 24-23 by the Chicago Bears Sunday. The Lions also are aching at left halfback. Jug Girard, the fill-in for Doak Walker, came up with a sore knee Sunday. Walker hasn't played regularly since the second game of the season but insists he is ready to play Thursday. Walker also has leg troubles. Others who visited Orthopedic Hospital Monday were tackle Lou Creekmur, defensive halfback Don Doll, linebacker Dick Flanagan and quarterback Tom Dublinski.

LIONS LOOM AS UNDERDOGS TO PACKERS

NOV 25 (Detroit) - A battered and bruised Detroit Lions football team passed up a day of rest Monday to prepare for Thanksgiving Day’s payoff engagement with the Green Bay Packers. The Lions are currently tied with the Packers, Los Angeles and San Francisco for first place in the National Conference of the NFL. A victory put them out in front of the pack, at least until Sunday when the Rams and 49ers meet in San Francisco. For the first time in more than a month, the Lions are likely to be underdogs. The fast-improving Packers, victors in their last four games, have developed into a high scoring, smooth-working football machine. Headed by Tobin Rote and Babe Parilli, the Packers have a great passing attack with Bob Mann and Bill Howton on the receiving end of the aerials. Rote also supplies plenty of punch as a runner. Although the Lions beat the Packers, 52 to 17, in the first meeting of the teams in Green Bay, the score could be reversed in this one. The Lions came out of the Chicago Bear defeat Sunday in sorry physical shape. Eight players were at the Osteopathic Hospital Sunday night and Monday to receive treatment for a wide assortment of injuries. The suffering Lions are ends Cloyce Box and Leon Hart, tackle Lou Creekmur, guard Dick Flanagan, halfbacks Doak Walker, Don Doll and Jug Girard and quarterback Tom Dublinski. Although Coach Buddy Parker is not given to alibis, he did point out that the reason the Lions dropped their first game in six starts was the lack of offensive ends in Sunday’s game. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Lions had only one ablebodied offensive end on the field – Bill Swiacki. Both Box and Hart suffered recurrences of leg injuries, and the Bears didn’t even bother to cover them on pass plays. They knew neither could run well enough to hurt the Chicago defense. As a result, the Bears’ seven-man line concentrated on the Lion running attack and spent all afternoon rushing Bobby Layne. Layne, incidentally, had his poorest protection of the season against George Connor, Ed Spinkle and Co. Walker, after missing all but three plays of the season since Oct. 3, declared he would definitely be back in action against the Packers. Jim Doran, the star defensive and offensive end, also said he would be ready for the Green Bay game. Even if a majority of the cripples recover in time for Thursday’s game, the Lions will have to play their best football to stay in the NFL race. Blocking for the passer and runners will have to be much improved to prevent a repetition of the Bear fiasco. The pass defense, which seemed to collapse in the final two minutes, will also need patching if they are to stop the Packer sharpshooters. Against the Bears, the pass defense held George Blanda to eight completions in the first 58 minutes. Then the fugitive from the Bear bench hit on three straight – and that meant the difference between victory and defeat for the Lions. One big factor in the Lion defeat was the slump of the defensive line. Although it played fair football, the performance didn’t match its normal play. With Bulldog Turner, Connor and Dick Barwegan leading the way, the Bears tore holes in Detroit’s defense repeatedly. While the Lions were battered, the Packers had an easy time with the Dallas Orphans Sunday. Green Bay will be better shape, physically, for this payoff game.

UNDERDOG PACKERS TO TRY FOR BIGGEST UPSET IN DETROIT

NOV 26 (Detroit) - The rags to riches Green Bay Packers, who finished with a 3-9 record a year ago, and the Detroit Lions, who missed the National conference championship by five minutes last December, fight for the inside track to the 1952 NC title in sprawling Briggs stadium here Thanksgiving day. Kickoff is set for 11 o’clock Thursday morning, Green Bay time, and the battle will be witnessed by 34,045,000 fans from coast to coast. In-the-flesh attendance could reach as high as 50,000, with good weather, while the remaining millions will view the struggle via coast to coast and north to south television. “This is it” for both teams, which are locked in a unique four-way tie with Los Angeles and San Francisco for first place in the “western” division of the NFL. Each team has a 6-3 record. Undisputed possession of first place will be at stake – at least until next Sunday when the other two leaders collide in ‘Frisco. The Packers actually “control” the title because they meet LA and SF after Detroit; three straight wins would put them in. The Lions face the Chicago Bears and Dallas in Detroit in their last two games. The Packers appeared confident that “we can win” upon arrival here late this afternoon. But the experts don’t agree. They have posted Detroit as an eight-point favorite, which means that a Packer victory would be quite an upset. Packer head coach Gene Ronzani and his gang aren’t worried what the experts think, however. They scored three of their last four victories as underdogs – against Philadelphia, Chicago Bears and New York Giants – before winning as a big favorite over the Texans. The experts’ opinion is based largely on Detroit’s rousing 52 to 17 victory over the Packers in Green Bay Oct. 26. And that’s exactly what the Packers are basing their own hopes on because the Bays will be seeking a measure of revenge for that licking. Detroit made the Packers look awfully bad that day – and the Bays know it. The Packers don’t have any special plans for Thursday’s game. They’re fixing to put their flaming spirit to work and let the chips fall where they may. Since Detroit, the Bays have “spirited” four straight. Green Bay enters the game in good physical condition, although a few of the boys are sporting limps. One of their number, defensive halfback Dan Sandifer, hurt his leg when he slipped and fell on the slippery floor in the dressing room. But Dan will be ready. Big Stretch Elliott is carrying a bandage on his hand, but, he too, will be set. Detroit’s biggest wonder has been what type of attack the Packers will use – the “T” or the spread. The Packers gave the Lions a fit in the Thanksgiving day feature a year ago, with the spread engineered by quarterback Tobin Rote. This year the Packers can employ magician Babe Parilli to operate the T. Both clubs are expected to pass aplenty and the key receivers for the Packers will be their “Big Four” at ends – Bill Howton, Bob Mann, Jim Keane and Elliott. Incidentally, Mann will be playing his first game in Detroit since 1949. He was injured last year, and didn’t play until the last three games of ’50. The Lions have been crying “injury” ever since their 24-23 loss to the Bears. Reportedly hurt are their ace ends, Cloyce Box and Leon Hart – not to mention left halfback Jug Girard. The Jugger picked up a knee ailment against the Bears. As a Packer in ’48, Girard was out for three weeks with a knee hurt. The mystery man is Doak Walker, the club’s leading left half and top scorer for two seasons. The Doaker suited up for the Bears but didn’t play. The guess here is that he’ll be ready – to catch passes from Bobby Layne. The Packer line will get its severest test – on the basis of the Lions’ front wall performance against the Bays’ line Oct. 26. The Lions rushed through the Bay wall for 162 yards, while the Packers opened the Detroit line for only 53 yards. To say that the Packers will be facing their toughest opponent is putting it mildly. By way of explaining the Lions, it can be opined that they have a defense as tough as the Giants, but also an offense to go with it! The Packers are headquartering at the Fort Shelby hotel here. They are scheduled to return to Green Bay (Austin Straubel field) in their chartered plane at 4:30 (GB time) Thursday afternoon.

ROTE REGAINS NFL PASSING LEAD

NOV 26 (Green Bay) - Tobin Rote of the Packers and Norman Van Brocklin of the Los Angeles Rams are wagering a nip and tuck battle for the 1952 NFL individual passing honors, with Rote currently holding the edge, 8.54 yards per pass to 8.23 for Van Brocklin who led last week. Both had good days Sunday. Rote passed 12 times for 142 yards, while Van Brocklin flipped 32 for 259. With three quarters of the season gone, Rote has completed 59 times for 956 yards and nine touchdowns, while Van Brocklin has connected 75 times for 1,210 yards and 10 TDs. Vito Parilli, the other half of the Green Bay passing duo, ranks third with 49 completions for 847 yards and a 7.37 average. Otto Graham of the Cleveland Browns is fourth with a 7.36 average – 140 complete for 2,135 yards and 15 TDs. Eddie Price of the New York Giants gained 93 yards last week to increase his ground gaining leadership over Deacon Dan Towler of the Rams. Price has carried 169 times for 734 yards and a 4.3 average. Towler has lugged the ball 111 times for 660 and a 5.9 average. Other individual leaders in the NFL are Cleveland’s Mac Speedie in pass receiving with 53 for 816 yards; teammate Lou Groza and Gordon Soltau of San Francisco tied in scoring with 72 points each; Horace Gillom of Cleveland in punting on a 46.8 average; Woodley Lewis of Los Angeles in punt returns with 24 yards per return; Ed Macon of the Chicago Bears in kickoff returns with a 35.3 average; and Herb Rich of Los Angeles in pass interceptions with eight for 201 yards.

JAY FEELS BAY OFFENSIVE LINE IS 'STRONG'; MANN GETS CHANCE!

NOV 26 (Green Bay) - Jay Rhodemyre, veteran Packer offensive center, hopes Texan coach Jimmy Phelan is one of the 30,000,000 persons who will watch the Packer-Detroit game on television Thursday. Phelan will be with his team in Akron, O., and it just might be that he’ll be near a TV set because his boys don’t start playing the Bears until 2 in the afternoon, while the Bays start at 11 a.m. Anyhow, Rhodemyre got himself steamed up for the bitter Lion struggle by taking exception to one of Phelan’s remarks after the Packer-Texan game. Phelan said, “I don’t think their offensive line is too strong.” Jay, who is mighty proud of the fighting unit, slammed back in the dressing room yesterday: “Not too strong, eh? You remember that play where Babe Parilli went back to pass and slipped and fell and got up again to throw. Well, who do you think kept the Texans off his neck? The offensive line!” Needless to say, big Jay was right. Rhodemyre presently is one of the unsung heroes of the big boys from tackle to tackle on offense. He’s the only real veteran in the unit. At tackles, you have a sophomore in Dick Afflis and two rookies, Steve Dowden and Tom Johnson. At the guard, you have the Ohio State rookies, Steve Ruzich and Dick Logan, and sophomore Dave Stephenson. Rhodemyre, presently in his fourth season, handled all of the offensive centering until rookie Hal Faverty was given a test at times during the Texan game. Jay’s decision to return for another season was one of the best things that happened to the Packers this season. The Bays were virtually center-less until Rhodemyre changed his mind midway last August. Rhodemyre had one of his best days a year ago Thanksgiving in Detroit, pulling out and blocking on Tobin Rote’s runs off the spead and giving T-formation QB Bobby Thomason time to pass. He’s hoping for another day like that tomorrow! The Packers have one gent in particular who’s praying for some luck Thursday. He is Bob Mann, the Packers’ veteran left end. Mann’s home is in Detroit, and he’s a former Lion, but he hasn’t played there since 1949. Mann’s last performance in Briggs stadium was in December of ’49 – against the Packers. Bob was hot that day, catching nine passes – two for touchdowns – to help beat the Packers, 21 to 7. “I just got to do something Thursday,” Mann said yesterday. Just before league play in 1950, Mann was traded by Detroit to the New York Yanks, but the Yanks were set and he was promptly placed on waivers. Mann was a disillusioned young man until the Packers signed him for the last three game of 1950 – none of them in Detroit. Last fall, Bob looked forward to playing in Detroit all season but he was injured in the Bear game the Sunday before Thanksgiving day. He could barely walk, much less suit up, for the contest. Bob is keeping his fingers crossed that nothing happens between now and 11 o’clock Thursday morning. Tomorrow’s game is the 39th between the Packers and Lions. The Detroits will be going after their 13th victory, while the Packers will try for win No. 27. The teams never played a tie game. The Lions will be seeking their seventh straight win over the Packers. They won the nightcap in ’49, both games in ’50, the pair in ’51 and the opener in ’52. The Packers are due!

PACKERS INVADE LIONS' LAIR IN BATTLE FOR LEAGUE LEAD

NOV 26 (Detroit) - The first step in breaking this terrific NFL log jam will be taken when Green Bay's Cinderella boys and the Detroit Lions clash in a Turkey Day tussle at Briggs Stadium, starting at 11 o'clock Milwaukee time. To the winner will go the honor of leading the entire league until Sunday when Los Angeles and San Francisco, presently tied with the Packers and Lions in the National Conference with identical records of 6-3, and the deadlocked American section pacesetters - Cleveland, New York and Philadelphia - catch up. The latter three also are in the 6-3 class. At least 35,000 are expected to sit in on the game, which will be televised nationally over a 48-station hookup, including WTMJ Milwaukee. The outcome may depend on breaks, for weather predictions indicate wind of gale-like propositions, freezing temperatures (possibly as low as 18 degrees) and a slippery field. Rain was due to turn to snow during the night. Punting, passing and receiving probably will be extremely difficult. Coach Gene Ronzani and his amazing squad were in a confident mood when they arrived in mid-afternoon. "All we're hoping is that we get our share of the breaks," said the coach. "The boys are up and definitely feel they have a chance to turn the tables on the Lions. The Lions are supposed to be riddled with injuries sustained in last Sunday's game with the Bears. Maybe those reports are on the level. But we aren't figuring on running into them at anything but their best." The Packers will be shooting for their fifth straight victory. If they make the grade, they will go a half-game ahead of the Rams and 49ers and a full game ahead of the Lions. The Ronzanimen have yet to lose a league tussle on the road. Following Thursday's duel here, they will return home to prepare for the climax invasion of the West Coast - Los Angeles December 7 and San Francisco December 14. One other tilt is on the Thanksgiving Day card: the Chicago Bears and the orphan Texans at Akron, OH.

PACKERS BID FOR DIVISION LEAD IN GAME WITH LIONS THURSDAY

​NOV 26 (Milwaukee Journal) - Gene Ronzani's Green Bay Packers, the football whirlwinds who blew up out of comparative nowhere this National league season, make the first of their decisive championship bids Thursday morning when they meet the Detroit Lions at Briggs Stadium, Detroit. Undisputed first place in the National division of the league will be at stake when they take the field in a game that will be nationally televised and which will draw a crowd of close to 50,000 if the day is clear. The game will start at 11 o'clock (Milwaukee time). The Packers, riding the foam of a four game winning streak, which includes victories over Philadelphia, the Bears, New York and Dallas, enter the game tied for first place in the division with San Francisco, Los Angeles and Detroit. Each has won six and lost three. The other leaders will not play until Sunday. The winner of Thursday's game, as a result, will take over, temporarily at least, the divisional leads. Ironically, the Packers started their big push, which has led to championship speculation, after taking a humiliating licking from Detroit in the first game of the series at Green Bay five weeks ago, 52-17. The Packers could do nothing right that day, the Lions could do nothing wrong. "We were a little too tight," Ronzani explained as the final licks of preparations were put in Tuesday. "We made mistakes we hadn't made before or since. We just wanted to win the game too badly. Well, we certainly want this one badly, too, but you'll see a different team." Ronzani discounted the story out of Detroit about the Lions' poor physical shape. "They might have some bumps, but they'll all be out there Thursday," he said. "Us? We're in good shape." Detroit Wednesday ruled a 10 point favorite. Green Bay's hopes again rest on the good passing arms of Tobin Rote and Babe Parilli, and just enough strong running to support the air arm.

LIONS, PACKERS MEET FOR FIRST BEFORE TURKEY

NOV 26 (Chicago Tribune) - First place in the National Conference of the NFL will be at stake tomorrow morning in Briggs Stadium when the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers meet in a wintry Thanksgiving Day setting. The weatherman tonight issued a forecast of a 30 degree temperature and snow flurries for the game, which will start at 11 a.m. (Chicago time). Despite the unfavorable weather outlook, the Lions tonight announced that between 35,000 and 40,000 will attend tomorrow's crucial battle. Because the Packers and Lions, along with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, are tied for the conference lead with identical 6-3 records, the winner of tomorrow's game will take over sole possession of the pace setting role, but only until after the Rams and 49ers collide in their second meeting Sunday. The Packers will go into tomorrow's game riding a crest of four straight triumphs, the clubs' longest victory streak in eight years, but are confronted with probably the most formidable stretch run in the annals of the National league. After the battle with the Lions, the Packers will meet the Rams in Los Angeles and the 49ers in San Francisco. Should the Packers pass those three hurdles they will have won the National conference title. The Lions, of course, must meet the Chicago Bears in Detroit December 7 and then wind up their regular season with the victory-less and homeless Dallas Texans. Since the Lions defeated the Packers in Green Bay, 52 to 17, Green Bay has scored successive victories over the Philadelphia Eagles, the Bears, the New York Giants, and the Texans. Last Sunday's games involving the Lions and the Packers may prove a factor tomorrow. While the Lions were absorbing a 24 to 23 defeat by the Bears in Chicago, the Packers went through little more than light exercise in trouncing the Texans, 42 to 14. The Packers came through last Sunday's game without injury, but nine of the 33 on the Detroit roster answered the injury call after the bruising battle with the Bears and although most of those will see action tomorrow they figure to be below par physically. Included in the Lions' casualty list are such key performers as ends Cloyce Box, Jim Doran and Leon Hart; tackle Lou Creekmur; guard Dick Flanagan and halfback Jug Girard. Girard, a former Packer, was the key performer in the first meeting of the two teams, rushing 61 yards in 11 tries and catching four passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Buddy Parker expressed some concern tonight over the ability of the crippled Lions to cope with the Packer spread formation. The Packers now boast the best one-two punch at quarterback in the National league with Tobin Rote and Babe Parilli.

TIE COULD WIN IT ALL FOR LIONS IN NFL RACE

NOV 26 (Detroit) - Who said that a tie game, a draw, a standoff, a stalemate never settle anything? Take a look at the zany professional football whirl. Each team – there are 12 – has played nine games with only three to go on the regular schedule. Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Green Bay are tied for the lead in the National Division. Cleveland, New York and Philadelphia are deadlocked at the top of the American section. All seven clubs have identical won-lost records of 6-3. Such an oversized “tie” is unique in a sport which usually shoots one or two teams to the head of the pack in a hurry and keeps them there. What makes it even more of an oddity is that for the first time in many seasons, there has not been a single tie game played in the league. What could make even more of an oddity of such a fact is that the dogfight has reached such a showdown stage that a tie game could now crown a champion…IT’S UP TO RAMS, 49ERS: Take the Lions. They had what looked to be a six-point victory turned into a one-point defeat by the Chicago Bears last Sunday. The margin of defeat came on the first bad flip-back from center all season which resulted in a miss on the try for a point after touchdown. Had that kick been good, the Lions would have tied the Bears and would not be leading the league with a 6-2-1 mark. It wasn’t to be that way. But it still within the realm of conjecture to look ahead. The Lions play a revitalized Green Bay team here Thursday noon. They also must play the Bears and Dallas. Let’s assume that they win all three games. It’s a rough assignment. It could be done. The 49ers battle the Rams next Sunday. Each team is in the race. A victory means just about everything from the title picture. But a tie game? That’s different. It would eliminate both Frisco and Los Angeles at the same time. And the Lions could be crowned in regular time without being forced into a playoff. Conjecture? Sure, it is. But as long as you’re convinced you’re going to have a dream, you might as well eat some pickles with your midnight ice cream. Besides, like I said earlier, there hasn’t been a single tie game all year in a precedent-making season. It’s time for one. Sunday would be just the day.

AILING PACKERS HEARTY FOR LIONS

NOV 26 (Detroit) - The Green Bay Packers, who have been welcoming new arrivals all season, greeted a couple Tuesday from their own hospital list. Both will be on hand when the Packers meet the Detroit Lions at Biggs Stadium Thursday noon to dissolve half of the four-team tie in the NFL’s Western Division. They are rookie tackles, both out of action a month – Tom Johnson, 230-pound two-way man from the University of Michigan, and Dick Logan, 225-pounder from Ohio State. Also new to the Packers since the Lions beat them, 52 to 17, a month ago, is Marvin Johnson, a 180-pound defensive halfback. A product of San Jose State, he was acquired from the Los Angeles Rams. Jug Earp, the Packers’ advance man, pointed out Tuesday that Green Bay is the most made-over team in the league. Since their Thanksgiving visit here a year ago, they have acquired seven players from three other NFL teams, plus a dozen rookies. Coach Gene Ronzani has put them together carefully until the Packers now claim first-place position with the Lions, San Francisco and Los Angeles. “But the ties can’t last for us,” Earp said. “We have to play Detroit, Los Angeles and San Francisco in that order, to win up the season. It’s the toughest finish in the league.” Valuable additions to the Packer line since last season are a trio from the Chicago Bears – Jim Keane, Ray Bray and Wash Serini. Keane is dividing time with Bob Mann at left end while Serini and Bray are sharing time at right guard despite their ages of 30 and 25. The Rams sent the Packers Marvin Johnson and Bob Dees while the Lions shipped them Clarence Self, veteran linebacker, and Steve Dowden, rookie tackle from Baylor who is No. 1 for the Packers. Return of linebacker Bob Forte from his second hitch of military service also has been a big help to Ronzani. Much of the spread formation which the Packers were using here a year ago has been discarded, Earp said, although Tobin Rote is sometimes used in a key role on it this season. In the regular T, Rote and Babe Parilli, Kentucky’s All-American, are splitting time about equally at quarterback. The veteran Tony Canadeo still holds down left half, with Floyd Reid at right half and Bobby Jack Floyd, rookie from Texas Christian, battling Fred Cone for the fullback post. Cone is the team’s leading ground gainer, with Rote second and Floyd third. Like the Lions, the Packers depend on running as well as passing. In nine games, they show 1,235 yards on the ground to 1,832 in the air. Rote has hit 60 of 113 passes for 971 yards and nine touchdowns, while Parillis’ record is 49 out of 115 for 847 yards and 11 scores. Bill Howton, rookie end from Rice, has caught eight of the touchdown passes and Mann six.

REMEMBER THANKSGIVING DAY, 1949? PACK HAS COME LONG WAY SINCE - ON, OFF FIELD

NOV 27 (Green Bay) - Something to be thankful for this Turkey Day...Regardless of the outcome of 

have a pile of more than five million, you are just a flash boy. Big league baseball takes a large investment and the returns are neither large nor regular. Washington was the only American league club to pay a dividend in 1950. It amounted to $38,000. There hasn't been a dividend on the Detroit Tigers in 16 years. No return has been paid by either of the Boston teams in the last 30 years. The stockholders of the Chicago Cubs haven't received a dime since 1948. To own big league ball teams is to contribute to a popular civic project. As there are heavy concentrations of cash in Dallas and Houston, quite a few of their citizens might be considered eligible to become proprietors of big league ball clubs. But it isn't sufficient for a baseball magnate to have cash. He must spend it in various speculations. A roll in the jeans gathers no pitchers. It was the failure of the NFL to realize this that led to the big mistake of 1952. Dallas was voted a franchise at the end of last season after some gentlemen with big hats made an impressive exhibit of their bank rolls. But the Dallas team has failed to win any games in its first season, and a deficit of $250,000 has been run up. What is most remarkable about this is not the deficit, but that among all the big rich in Dallas a quarter of a million couldn't be raised to keep the team in town. Although Dallas, a city of 432,927, cannot support a big-time football team, Green Bay, Wis., a city of 52,443, can and has done so for 32 years. Moreover, when the Green Bay team beat the New York team last Sunday in New York, it became established as one of the two or three strong teams of the year. If owner Saigh of the St. Louis Cardinals is looking for a town in which to place his baseball team, perhaps he ought to forget about Houston and give Green Bay a gander. Houston has more dollars than Green Bay has pennies, but a good part of what is in Green Bay has been there long enough to mellow. When there is a job of civic significance to be done, a small amount of aged cash frequently will turn the trick when much larger amounts, only recently gathers, will fail utterly. - (Washington Times-Herald)

LIMPING LIONS BATTLE GREEN BAY FOR FOOTBALL LIFE

NOV 27 (Detroit) - Battered and bruised, but patched for action, the Detroit Lions will make a crucial bid Thursday to stay in the running for the National Conference title in the NFL. The Lions will face the Green Bay Packers, currently tied with Detroit, Los Angeles and San Francisco for the top spot, in Briggs Stadium at noon. A victory would give either team sole possession of first place, at least until Sunday. The Lions, however, are in anything but good physical condition to meet a top contender. At least eight regulars are suffering from injuries, which may be aggravated on the first contact. Coach Buddy Parker announced Wednesday that Doak Walker definitely would play against the Packers. The Doaker, injured since Oct. 3, has been running well in the last three days of practice. Other cripples, who spent more time taking treatments than working out, are expected to play at least part. Lou Creekmur, Jug Girard, Cloyce Box and Leon Hart, all on the offensive platoon, will see some action. Don Doll, Dick Flanagan and Jim Doran, the defensive casualties, are also expected to play as long as they are able. The Packers are anxious to avenge the 52-17 pasting the Lions handed them in Green Bay several weeks ago. They will present a high-powered passing attack, made more effective with good running. Tobin Rote, the league's No. 1 passer, and Babe Parilli, the third-ranking pitcher form Green Bay's air arm. Between them, they have completed 108 passes, 20 of them for touchdowns. Billy Howton, star end of the Packers, is the prime target for Rote and Parilli's passes. He has caught 32 so far this year, good for 746 yards and eight touchdowns. Bob Mann, the ex-Michigan and Lions' end, is the other half of Green Bay's receiving combination. He has grabbed 23 and scored six touchdowns. To go with this passing game, the Packers have Fred Cone and Rote to lug the leather on the running attack. Cone is a driving fullback who has averaged 4.2 yards on 67 attempts. Rote, who directs the spread formation offense and runs as well as he passes, is the second leading ground gainer for the Packers with 239 yards in 47 carries. So, Detroit's defensive platoon will have its work cut out. Coach Parker has indicated that Bill Swiacki and Hart would get the starting end assignments. Bobby Layne will start at quarterback for the Lions with Girard and Bob Hoernschemeyer at the halfbacks. Durable Pat Harder will be at fullback. The Detroit line will have to provide better pass protection for Layne that it did against the Chicago Bears last Sunday. Currently, the wise money is making the Lions seven-point favorites to win. But you can't find many who will take the bet. A crowd of 35,000 is expected to see the contest if the weatherman cooperates. One of the largest TV networks ever to see a pro team will open the game to millions more. The game will not be telecast in the Detroit area, but will be piped to points as far west as Oklahoma City and Dallas and south to New Orleans and Miami. All told, 48 stations will carry the telecast. Locally, the game will be broadcast over WJR and the Goebel Football Network.