Love shines with 4 TDs on Thanksgiving, Packers beat Lions

The Green Bay Packers could be seriously considering the possibility of playing on Thanksgiving Day every year. And with good reason.

Jordan Love and Micah Parsons Shine on Thanksgiving

In the recent Thursday game, Jordan Love and Micah Parsons, along with other outstanding players, led the Packers to a resounding 31-24 victory over the Detroit Lions. Love demonstrated his dominance on this festive day, maintaining a perfect record in the three years he has been the Packers’ starting quarterback. The quarterback threw four touchdown passes, including two crucial ones on fourth down. Parsons, for his part, continued his tradition of outstanding performances on Thanksgiving, adding 2.5 more sacks to his impressive record. In five games, he has a total of 8.5 sacks on this special day. The performance of receivers Dontayvion Wicks (with six receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns) and Christian Watson (four receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown), along with the strategy of coach Matt LaFleur, who dominated on fourth-down plays, contributed to the joy in the visiting locker room.

It definitely brings a different vibe, the energy that’s there.

Christian Watson

The Packers managed to sweep the Lions, after the latter swept them last season. Thursday’s victory was secured thanks to a bold decision by LaFleur, who opted for a play on fourth down and 3 yards to go from the Lions’ 45-yard line, with 1:55 remaining on the clock. Love connected with Wicks for a 16-yard gain, resulting in a 3-for-3 success on fourth-down plays for the Packers, compared to the Lions’ 0-for-2. Love became the first Packers player with multiple touchdown passes on fourth down in the same game since at least 1978, when the league began recording this statistic. He completed 18 of 30 passes for 234 yards and the four touchdowns, despite playing with a left shoulder injury. In his three Thanksgiving Day games as a starter, Love has completed 68% of his passes, accumulating 776 yards, nine touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Parsons praised Love, highlighting his competitive spirit and his ability to perform at the highest level despite injuries. He’s going to show up. Injured, hurt, he’s going to fight for his teammates and play at the highest level. J-Love is the ultimate competitor. There aren’t many quarterbacks who fight like him, through everything he’s going through, all the injuries. He just comes and works. It’s starting to pay off. The leap he’s making this year is overnight. Parsons also recorded 12.5 sacks in the season, becoming the first player in NFL history with at least 12 sacks in each of his first five seasons (since sack statistics have been recorded in 1982). LaFleur also highlighted Parsons’ great performance. With this victory, the Packers (8-3-1) are firmly positioned in the fight for the lead in the NFC North, with a crucial matchup against the Bears (8-3) next Sunday in Green Bay. The only negative point for the Packers was the injury to Devonte Wyatt, who suffered an ankle injury that could end his season.

It doesn’t look good, guys. I feel bad for him, I feel bad for us. It’s a critical loss for our football team, obviously for our defense.

Matt LaFleur