Shocker in Motown as the Packers defeat the Lions on Thanksgiving Day
The Packers improved to 5-6 after their 29-22 road win vs the Lions on Thanksgiving Day.
The Packers won the coin toss and took the ball. Jordan Love connected with Christian Watson on a deep pass on the first play from scrimmage. They would score to take a 7-0 lead. The Lions would answer with a touchdown of their own but miss the extra point, making it 7-6 Packers. Green Bay would add 2 more touchdowns, including a defensive TD, and later added a field goal to take a 23-6 halftime lead. After Detroit scored to open the second half, the Packers would answer with a TD of their own a few series later. Their defense kept Detroit out of the endzone after that until less than a minute remained in the game. The Packers would recover the onside kick and the victory was complete.
Thoughts about this exciting win:
That was quite a statement by Matt LaFleur to take the ball after winning the opening coin toss, which had an image of the late John Madden. He was honored throughout this game and the whole day. It was another big statement to go deep on the first play, although LaFleur admitted later that he was hesitant about doing so. Love connected with Watson for 53 yards on that play. They made it pay off 4 plays later with a TD pass to Jayden Reed.
After Detroit answered, the Packers went back to work. Love threw another TD pass, this time to Tucker Kraft, who had a TD taken off the board last Sunday vs the Chargers. There was no question about this score.
When Detroit got the ball back, they committed their first turnover. Jared Goff was hit by Rashan Gary, fumbled, and Jonathan Owens returned it for a touchdown, which was upheld after a review.
Goff would fumble twice more in the game, losing both of them, including one on a failed 4th-down attempt. Rashan Gary had all 3 sacks for the Packers and even recovered that fumble on 4th down.
A key play was when Detroit, down 23-14, went for a fake punt on 4th and 4 on their own 23-yard line. They were stuffed for no gain and the Packers capitalized with a TD pass to Christian Watson. Detroit had some momentum and they gave it away with that fake punt decision. The Packers’ offense got new life and they cashed in on it, even after committing a penalty in the drive that put them in a long-distance situation.
One thing that concerned me going into this game was that Detroit was sloppy at home vs the Bears last Sunday, committing 4 turnovers and falling behind 12 points before rallying late in the game. A good team often has an intense week of preparation after a subpar game like that and comes out on fire the next game. Detroit obviously has some issues they need to work out. I am also glad the Packers got them on a short week. Unlike the Bears, the Packers didn’t let the Lions get away with their mistakes.
There is plenty of praise to go around. Jordan Love backed up his game vs the Chargers with this latest performance. Christian Watson had his best game of the year. Rashan Gary made it rough on Jared Goff. A.J. Dillon broke off some nice runs as well. Matt LaFleur seemed to push the right buttons too. If he was ever on the hot seat to begin with, it certainly cooled off these last 2 games, especially after defeating the 8-2 (now 8-3) Lions in their own stadium on Thanksgiving Day. They avenged that loss earlier in the season at home to Detroit, and we can’t forget who the Packers lost to during the final week of the season last year to keep them out of the playoffs.
It certainly was impressive to go into Detroit and come away with a victory, especially considering all of the injuries they had to deal with. Now they get a “mini-bye” and a chance to hopefully get some of these players back. Next up for the Packers is a Sunday night game at home vs the Kansas City Chiefs. That will be quite an atmosphere in Green Bay that night. Until then, take care Packer fans! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackersFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
Photo Credit: Evan Siegle/Packers
