Jordan Love Leads Packers 31-24 Past Lions With 4 TDs/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jordan Love threw four touchdown passes to match a career high, leading the Green Bay Packers to a 31-24 Thanksgiving Day victory over the Detroit Lions. Green Bay converted key fourth downs and dominated both lines of scrimmage. The win moves the Packers closer in the NFC North playoff race.
Love’s Four Touchdowns Power Packers Past Lions Quick Looks
- Jordan Love throws 4 TDs, matching career high in 31-24 win
- Packers sweep season series against NFC North rival Lions
- Green Bay converts 3-for-3 on fourth downs, including two TDs
- Lions fail on two fourth-down attempts in critical spots
- Micah Parsons dominates with 2.5 sacks, boosts Green Bay defense
- Packers improve to 8-3-1, hold second in NFC North
- Lions fall to 7-5 with third loss in five games
- Christian Watson scores on 51-yard touchdown pass from Love
- Jameson Williams shines with 144 yards, but drops key pass
- Packers close out win with clutch fourth-quarter conversions
Deep Look: Jordan Love, Packers Deliver Key Thanksgiving Win Over Lions Behind 4 Touchdowns
DETROIT, Mich. — Jordan Love made every opportunity count on Thanksgiving Day, throwing for four touchdowns — including two on fourth down — to lift the Green Bay Packers to a crucial 31-24 win over the Detroit Lions in a hard-fought NFC North battle.
With plenty of time to throw thanks to excellent pass protection, Love completed 18 of 30 passes for 234 yards, matching a career high with four touchdown passes. The victory not only completes a season sweep of the Lions but also keeps Green Bay (8-3-1) firmly in the hunt for a postseason spot.
“Credit to our offensive line — they gave me all day,” Love said. “That’s why we were able to make the plays when we needed them.”
Fourth Down Magic
The Packers were perfect on fourth downs, converting all three of their attempts — two resulting in touchdowns and the last sealing the win in the final minutes.
- 2nd Quarter: Love hit Dontayvion Wicks for a 22-yard touchdown on fourth down.
- Later in the quarter, a 2-yard pass to Romeo Doubs on fourth down extended the lead.
- In the fourth, Love connected with Wicks again on a 16-yard fourth-and-3 play to clinch the win.
Meanwhile, Detroit failed twice on fourth down — including a dropped pass by Jameson Williams and a stuffed run by Jahmyr Gibbs — swings that proved costly.
Parsons Powers Defense
Micah Parsons, acquired from Dallas in a preseason trade, continued to justify Green Bay’s move with a dominant defensive outing, recording 2.5 sacks and consistent pressure on Jared Goff. His third-down sack in the fourth quarter forced Detroit to settle for a field goal late, preserving a one-touchdown lead.
“He’s making a major difference,” head coach Matt LaFleur said. “That’s the type of impact we envisioned when we traded for him.”
Game Flow: Packers Control from the Start
Green Bay jumped out to a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter and maintained control for most of the game. Each time Detroit threatened, the Packers responded:
- Christian Watson hauled in a 51-yard touchdown early in the third, just two plays after a failed Lions fourth-down run.
- Wicks added his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard pass, giving the Packers a 31-21 cushion.
Detroit responded with a field goal to cut the lead to 31-24, but Green Bay never gave the ball back.
Goff Solid but Pressured
Jared Goff finished 20 of 26 for 256 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Jameson Williams for a 22-yard score and rookie Isaac TeSlaa for a 17-yard touchdown.
Williams was explosive, recording 7 catches for 144 yards, both career highs, but his fourth-quarter drop on a crucial fourth down proved costly.
“We had chances, but we didn’t finish,” said Lions coach Dan Campbell. “We dug ourselves a hole and couldn’t climb out.”
Green Bay Gains Playoff Momentum
With the win, Green Bay remains second in the NFC North behind Chicago (8-3), which plays next at Philadelphia. The victory gives the Packers a season sweep over Detroit, potentially critical in tiebreaker scenarios.
“We knew how important this was,” Love said. “In a division race this tight, every game matters.”
Injury Report
Packers:
- DT Devonte Wyatt (ankle) was carted off in the fourth quarter. “It doesn’t look good,” LaFleur said. “That’s a critical loss.”
- CB Keisean Nixon returned from a neck injury.
- WR Matthew Golden, LB Quay Walker, and CB Nate Hobbs were inactive.
Lions:
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) exited in the first quarter. “Doesn’t look long-term,” Campbell said. “Could be out a week or two.”
- CB Terrion Arnold and EDGE Marcus Davenport returned to action.
- Kalif Raymond, Brock Wright, Graham Glasgow, and Kerby Joseph were inactive.
What’s Next
- Packers: Host division rival Chicago Bears on Dec. 7
- Lions: Host the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 4
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