GREEN BAY — In his debut with the Green Bay Packers, Micah Parsons' presence was felt throughout Lambeau Field — both on the field and in the stadium.
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The crowd erupted when he was announced during player introductions. The same pop came just three plays into the Green Bay defense's first possession when Parsons made his way onto the field for his first snap.
"So tonight, I ain't going to lie, Packer nation showed up," Green Bay defensive tackle Colby Wooden said of the atmosphere. "We were loud. Then when we had them backed up, the many times we had them backed up, they couldn't hear because we could barely hear."
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On the stat sheet under Parsons' name, you'll see one sack and one tackle — a seemingly modest performance. However, those figures don't begin to encapsulate Parsons' impact.
On Parsons' very first play of the game, with the Lions facing a third-and-7, he beat All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell, forcing quarterback Jared Goff to get rid of the ball quickly. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs caught the pass but was tackled for a 2-yard loss, leading to a Lions punt.
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Packers defensive end Micah Parsons sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff during the fourth quarter Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
In the second quarter, with the Lions in the Packers' red zone, Parsons won his inside rush from the left side almost instantly, again forcing Goff to get rid of the ball before he wanted to. This time, Green Bay safety Evan Williams came away with an interception, taking points off the board for Detroit.
On another third-down play, this time in the third quarter, Parsons again beat his blocker, which forced Goff to step up in the pocket, where Lukas Van Ness was waiting and made the sack. Detroit would again punt.
Then, in the fourth quarter, with the Lions backed up in their own territory, Parsons took on a double-team, which helped Wooden get free to make the tackle for loss on the running play.
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"That just leaves a space for everybody else on the line to work their moves and do what they need to do," defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse said of playing with Parsons. "Because you know when you have a headhunter or a QB assassin at the edge, you can kind of do anything you want on the interior because he's going to find a way to hunt the QB down."
All of that, and more, was accomplished by Parsons without even handling a full workload. Still ramping up, both physically and from an Xs and Os standpoint as he continues to acclimate himself to coordinator Jeff Hafley's defense, Parsons was on a pitch count for his Packers debut.
In addition to his contributions, the entire Packers defensive line was disruptive. As a unit, Green Bay finished the game with four sacks and nine quarterback hits. Rashan Gary, Van Ness, and Devonte Wyatt all had multiple pressures.
A Detroit offense known for having a strong running game behind the duo of Gibbs and David Montgomery was held to just 44 combined rushing yards.
"It’s really going to be a team picking their poison," Gary said of playing with Parsons. "You want to chip me? Cool, he’s going to be free. You want to chip him? Cool, I’m going to be free. We’ve got a lot of inside guys that are able to rush. It’s really just pick your poison throughout the front.
"Adding a guy like that, it only gives us more confidence. It only frees us up better. Now everybody’s got to communicate and get home and make sure we’re on the same page every third down or second-and-long, whatever it may be.”
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Sunday's game was a prime example of the variety of ways that Parsons can leave his mark on the game.
The pressure Parsons creates means less time in coverage for the defensive backs and, as Williams did, the opportunity to capitalize on a rushed or errant throw.
The attention Parsons draws from blockers can change protection calls for offenses and create mismatches or one-on-one opportunities for others within the front seven to take advantage of.
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Packers defensive end Micah Parsons sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff during the fourth quarter Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
Parsons' versatility allows for Hafley to move both him and others around, like we saw with Van Ness, who lined up inside at defensive tackle. This element gives the Packers' defense the ability to throw different looks at opposing offenses, keeping them off balance and guessing.
However, as impressive of a debut as this was for Parsons, this is seemingly just a glimpse of what's to come from him and this Packers defense as a whole as he gets further ingrained into a new scheme and continues to increase his workload.
"They got a third guy that can get after the guy," Parsons said of playing alongside of Van Ness and Gary at defensive end. "So it's going to open up for everyone and you see everyone have a lot of success here. So it's just going to keep ramping up.
"I told them we had maybe two days of practice together. Like of true practice, so imagine what it's going to look like five weeks from now. When we got film and we're seeing the looks that these guys are giving us and how we're going to set up. We're going to be a really scary defense."
Photos: Packers open season with home contest against Detroit
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed catches a 17-yard touchdown pass as Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold defends during the first half Sunday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs catches a long pass against the Detroit Lions Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons, right, rushes during a play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft catches a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown makes a sideline catch against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs catches a pass against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons rushes during a play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive players pose after a Evan Williams (33) interception against the Detroit Lions during the first half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is brought down by Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney, left, and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Morry Gash, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons rushes against Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Morry Gash, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary tackles Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, pulling him out of the end zone, during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers' Jayden Reed runs past Detroit Lions' Jacob Saylors during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs stiff arms Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs runs for a 3-yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons celebrates sacking Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, rear, during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff throws against the Green Bay Packers during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa catches a 13-yard touchdown pass as Green Bay Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine defends during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons, left, and his teammates celebrate his sack of Lions quarterback Jared Goff, not pictured, on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons celebrates his sack on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love celebrates a touchdown against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks runs against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur looks on from the sidelines on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell consoles quarterback Jared Goff on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs runs against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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