5 things we learned in Packers' Thanksgiving Day victory at Lions
Jordan Love was disappointed.
Not in the Green Bay Packers’ 29-22 Thanksgiving Day victory over the Detroit Lions on Thursday and not in his own performance (22 of 32 for 268 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 125.5).
No, the Packers first-year starting quarterback was bummed he didn’t get a turkey leg (Turducken leg?) after the game, as per the late, great John Madden’s tradition on Thanksgiving Day telecasts on FOX Sports. Backup quarterbacks Sean Clifford and Alex McGough were bummed, too.
“Sean and Alex were both telling me to bring them back a turkey leg. So I think they’re a little more disappointed,” Love said after his interaction with reporter Erin Andrews, who told Love that FOX Sports would be making a charitable donation on his behalf instead. “I’m just grateful. Being able to play on Thanksgiving is a special moment, and obviously being able to get a win like that is special.”
Here are five non-turkey related observations from the Packers’ remarkable victory.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur always says no one cares about who your team is missing. In fact, he said a variation of that axiom after the game.
Nonetheless, there was no denying the Packers were depleted — and that made the victory that much more impressive.
The Packers were missing six starters, with tight end Luke Musgrave (lacerated kidney) and safety Darnell Savage (calf) on injured reserve and running back Aaron Jones (knee), cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder), inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (neck), safety Rudy Ford (biceps) inactive.
They also were without inactive wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (concussion) and tight end/fullback Josiah Deguara (hip), and with No. 3 running back Emanuel Wilson (shoulder) on IR, they leaned on AJ Dillon, who had been listed as questionable with a groin injury of his own.
Among those who stepped up were rookie wide receiver Malik Heath (four receptions for 46 yards) and tight end Tucker Kraft (two catches for 15 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown).
“We had a lot of guys out today and it was cool to see a lot of young guys get their first opportunity to go out there and play and make some big time contributions,” LaFleur said. “I know Malik’s been up for the last couple weeks, but he made some big plays. (And) it was cool to see Tucker Kraft got his first touchdown.”
Returning to the scene of where he suffered a season-ending knee injury 121⁄2 months ago, Packers pass rusher Rashan Gary was a one-man wrecking crew.
Gary finished with three sacks (tying his single-game career high) and forced two fumbles in his return to Ford Field, where he tore the ACL in his right knee on Nov. 6, 2022.
The Packers put near-constant pressure on Goff, who not only absorbed those three sacks from Gary but was hit 12 times. Goff wound up losing three fumbles (rookie defensive lineman Karl Brooks forced the other one) and Gary wound up getting a game ball from LaFleur, then promptly started crying.
“That’s why I was emotional, man — coming back to the spot where I had my first major injury to be able perform how I performed. And win the game, most importantly,” Gary said.
Remember that breakout three-touchdown game the then-rookie Christian Watson had against the Dallas Cowboys last November? Don’t look now, but Watson is heating up again.
After catching an 11-yard touchdown pass last Sunday against the Chargers, Watson was Love’s go-to guy early on during Thursday’s win, not only catching the 53-yarder to start the game but finishing with five receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown on seven targets.
Watson’s biggest play after the opening salvo came with 3:30 left in the third quarter. After the Lions had closed to within 23-14 with a touchdown drive to start the second half, Love found Watson for a 16-yard TD that pushed the lead to 29-14 after a 2-point conversion attempt failed.
“It feels good, and obviously in a non-selfish way, everyone wants to make plays,” Watson said. “To be able to continue to leave my mark and help our team win means a lot to me.”
Journeyman safety Jonathan Owens, starting his fifth game of the season because of the injuries to Savage and Ford, had a breakout game, returning one of Gary’s forced fumbles for a touchdown and finishing with a team-best 12 tackles on the day.
And while his more famous wife, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, had 68,000 likes and counting for her “THATS MY HUSBAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” pos t, Owens made a name for himself all on his own with his performance.
“Just being a reliable player in the NFL — that's really what I want to do,” Owens said. “Anywhere you put me on the field, I can do it for you. Special teams, anywhere on the defense, I just want to be able to help the team win.”
As good as Love & Co. might’ve been, LaFleur’s assessment for the win was that it was won up front by the offensive line.
“I think the story was the offensive line,” LaFleur opined. “Just to provide the protection for (Love). They kind of got after us the first time we played them.”
In the Lions’ 34-20 win at Lambeau Field on Sept. 28, Love was sacked a season-high five times and hit 11 times. Thursday? Zero sacks, four total hits.
“The O-line balled out,” Love said. “To come out of a game with no sacks against a really good D-line and front that they have is huge. It’s a testament to just how dedicated the O-line was to pass protection this week. Proud of those guys.”
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