Dontayvion Wicks picked a huge first down in the win over Detroit. (Photo: Jacob Morley, 247Sports)
By Mark Eckel
Matt LaFleur out Dan Campbelled, Dan Campbell.
LaFleur went for it three times on fourth down in the Green Bay Packers 31-24 Thanksgiving Day win over the Detroit Lions and converted big time on all three.
The first two turned into Jordan Love touchdown passes to Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs and the final one was a 15-yard completion to Wicks that sealed the win.
Campbell, the Lions head coach who never saw a fourth down he wouldn't go for, went for it twice Thursday and failed both times. Finally, he actually kicked a field goal that made it 31-24, with 2:59 to play.
Detroit had all of its three time outs left when the Packers got the ball at the 35-yard line. So the offense needed two first downs for the win. They got the first one on an eight-yard pass from Love to Christian Watson on 3rd-and-5 from the 40.
The second was the pass to Wicks on 4th-and-3 after a 3rd-and-3 pass to Watson fell incomplete.
With the win the Packers moved to 8-3-1 on the season and stayed in the thick of the NFC playoff race and the NFC North race. They could be in first place in the division if the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Chicago Bears, Friday. The loss could hurt the Lions (7-5) playoff chances.
Here are the rest of the highlights and lowlights as the Packers improved to 3-0 in the division and swept the Lions for the first time since 2020.
Offensive Hero: Wicks had a great game with six catches for 94 yards, two touchdowns and the huge leaping catch on fourth down. But this goes to Love, who overcame a slow start, to throw four touchdown passes on the day.
Offensive Zero: Hard to find one here. The line played very well, probably it's best game of the season. Josh Jacobs ran for 83 yards. If you want to get picky, all three tight ends combined for just one reception.
Defensive Hero: Micah Parsons took over again. He had two-and-a-half sacks and became the first player in NFL history, since sacks became an official stat to have 12, or more, in each of his first five seasons.
Defensive Zero: Keisean Nixon, playing with a sore neck, had a rough day. He was beaten in coverage more than once and got called for contact penalty that nullified a third-down sack and extended the Lions final field-goal drive.
Play of the Game: Love threw a beautiful 51-yard touchdown pass to Watson, who got past the Lions defense for a 24-14 lead early in the third quarter.
Turning Point: With the score 17-14, the Lions too the second half kickoff and had a 3rd-and-2 from the Green Bay 46-yard line. Linebackers Isaiah McDuffie and Edgerrin Cooper threw Jahmyr Gibbs for a one-yard loss. On 4th-and-3, Gibbs got the ball again and this time Parsons and McDuffie threw him back for another one-yard loss. Two plays later, Love found Watson for the 51-yard TD.
This and That: McDuffie had a really nice game with 12 tackles, including the two for a loss and filled in more than admirably again for the injured Quay Walker. … Gibbs had 68 yards rushing for the Lions. But it took 20 carries to do so. …Daniel Whelan punted twice for the Packers, a 62-yarder and a 72-yarder. … Bo Melton replaced the injured Savion Willians on kick returns. …Rookie Anthony Belton played the entire game at right guard.
Debuts: Rookie linebacker Jamon Johnson and wide receiver Will Sheppard made their NFL debuts Thursday. Cornerback Jaylin Simpson made his Packers debut.
Injuries: Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, who was having another good game, was carted off the field in the fourth quarter. Hopefully it's not as bad as it looked.
Inactives: Three players were ruled out Wednesday — wide receiver Savion Williams (foot), defensive end Lukas Van Ness (foot) and defensive tackle Karl Brooks (ankle). Three others who were questionable — wide receiver Matthew Golden (wrist), cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) and linebacker Quay Walker (stinger) were all out. The only healthy inactive was offensive lineman Donovan Jennings.
Up Next: Chicago finishes the Packers three-games in three weeks NFC North tour when the Bears visit Lambeau, Sunday. Chicago (8-3) is at Philadelphia, Friday, before heading for Green Bay. First place in the North will be on the line.