In an exciting, high-scoring game, the Packers recorded a 31-24 win over the Lions in the first game of the NFL’s Thanksgiving triple-header.
Green Bay (8-3-1) never trailed, led 17-14 at halftime and was ahead by 10 points at four different points. Despite the Lions’ best efforts to catch them, the Packers kept Detroit at bay behind Jordan Love’s four touchdown passes and a defense that came up with two big fourth-down stops.
Conversely, the Packers were a perfect 3 of 3 on fourth down that included Love’s game-clinching, 16-yard completion to Dontayvion Wicks on fourth-and-5 with 1:55 left. The catch was part of a big game for Wicks, who caught six passes for 94 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Detroit (7-5) stayed within striking distance of Green Bay despite playing most of the game without All-Pro wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, who left the game for good after sustaining an ankle injury in the first quarter. With St. Brown out, Williams picked up the slack with seven catches for 144 yards.
In addition to St. Brown’s injury, the Lions also struggled to protect Goff behind an injury-plagued offensive line. The unit specifically struggled to contain Micah Parsons, who had 2.5 sacks.
Here’s a closer look at how the Packers were able to complete the season sweep of Detroit.
All you need is Love
After leaning on his running game early, Love and his receivers heated up as the game progressed. Love made several clutch completions while spreading the ball around. He had a lot of success getting the ball to both Wicks and fellow wideout Christian Watson, who caught four passes for 80 yards and a score.
Love now has 19 touchdowns this season against just three interceptions.
Turning point
Detroit ended the first half with a score and were trying to start the second half with another score. But that plan was spoiled by Parsons and fellow linebacker Isaiah McDuffie after they combined to stuff Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs on fourth-and-3 from the Packers’ 47-yard-line. The play call immediately drew the ire from Lions fans as Gibbs was stonewalled for a 1-yard loss on the previous play.
Love quickly parlayed his defense’s stop into a 51-yard touchdown pass to Watson that proved to be the game-winning score.
Parsons makes history
After Watson’s score, the Lions once again responded with a score of their own. But they were denied a touchdown after Parsons drilled Goff on third-and-goal. The sack — Parsons’ second of the drive — gave him a piece of NFL history as he has become the first player to have at least 12 sacks in each of his first five seasons.
Goff does his part
With St. Brown out, and with the Packers’ defense holding Gibbs to 68 yards on 20 carries, the onus of the Lions’ offense was very much on Goff’s shoulders. Goff stood up to the pressure by going 20 of 26 for 256 and a pair of touchdowns. He also had a 24-yard run that set up his third quarter touchdown pass to Isaac TeSlaa.
Goff and Williams put on a show, but they were unable to convert on a critical pass on fourth-and-3 with 10:55 left and the Lions trailing, 31-21. It was the Lions’ second missed fourth-down conversion of the game and their seventh in the last two games in as many attempts.
Some controversy
Ahead 10-7 late in the first half, the Packers decided to go for it on fourth-and-1 on the Lions’ 2-yard-line. But despite committing a false start, the Packers were afforded a timeout while avoiding a five-yard penalty. The officials determined that Matt LaFleur called a timeout before the false start occurred, although replays suggested otherwise.
Green Bay ultimately scored a touchdown after the time out while extending its lead to 17-7, much to the chagrin of Lions coach Dan Campbell.
Playoff positioning update
Neither team moved in the NFC playoff standings following Thursday’s game. Green Bay remained in the sixth spot in the standings, while the Lions stayed in the eighth spot.
