The Green Bay Packers needed someone in the receiver room to step up in Detroit on Thursday. Matthew Golden was ruled out with wrist injury, his third absence this season. Jayden Reed wasn’t ready to come back. Jordan Love came into the game with no clear, reliable targets other than Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, allowing the Lions defense to key in on Green Bay’s top two guys.
Enter Dontayvion Wicks, in the midst of a disappointing third season – despite the opportunity created by all the injuries, his least productive with the Packers. At least for a day, that all changed against the Lions as Wicks went off for a big-time performance when Green Bay needed it most.
Wicks burns bright on the big stage vs Lions
All in all, Wicks had six catches, 94 yards, and two touchdowns. His third down grab inside the two-minute warning sealed the game for Green Bay, allowing them to kneel the clock out for a 31-24 victory. He was on the receiving end of the Packers’ first and last touchdowns. Both were impressive catches. On the first, a fourth-and-three play just outside the red zone, Wicks hauled in an over the shoulder grab barely getting both feet down before momentum carried him out of bounds.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (13) does a Lambeau Leap after catching a touchdown pass during Family Night on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
The play put the Packers up 10-0 and gave them an upper hand they maintained throughout the game. Although the Lions kept it close, they fought from behind for all four quarters.
Wicks’ second touchdown was less of a highlight reel play but just as critical, a one-yard out route with a defender trailing Wicks close behind, driving him into the ground at the goal line. Wicks held onto the ball and Green Bay went back up by 10, 31-21, near the end of the third period.
The whole thing was set up by his 30-yard catch, a season long, to put the Packers in business at the Lions’ 25.
Those were Wicks first two scores this season, and they came in what is the Packers’ most important game to date – one that could be looked back on as deciding the division. His six receptions tied a career high and 94 receiving yards were his most since December 17, 2023, when he went for 97 against the Buccaneers.
Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA;Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (13) reacts with wide receiver Bo Melton (80) after a touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half of the 2024 NFC wild card game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
His previous game-high this season was 44 yards versus Washington in Week 2. Since then he had battled through underwhelming play and injury before gaining a bit of steam with a pair of catches on Sunday. Thursday’s outing was a career performance in every sense.
On the season, Wicks is up to 26 catches for 307 yards and two TDs (10 games).
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