The Green Bay Packers had their biggest win of the year, beating the Detroit Lions 29-22. The Packers put together an all-around good performance with complementary football. They came out aggressive, took the lead, and never looked back. The team is gaining momentum, and we should be in for a fun end-of-the-year stretch.
Here are the studs and duds from the Packers vs. Lions.
Green Bay Packers Studs
Quarterback Jordan Love
Jordan Love let it rip on Thanksgiving day. His day, he started on the game’s first play, hitting Christian Watson for 53 yards. Love finished with 268 yards and three touchdowns. He added another 39 yards on the ground, highlighted by a 37-yard dagger to close out the game on the third down.
Coming into this season, we knew it would be a rollercoaster, but Love has looked good over the last four games. Against the Lions, he looked decisive and confident. Overall, it was an impressive day for the Packers starting quarterback.
Outside Linebacker Rashan Gary
A year ago, Rashan Gary’s season ended with a torn ACL at Ford Field. Returning to Ford Field was obviously emotional for him, and he used those emotions in the game. Gary had a career day. He finished with seven tackles, three sacks, and two force fumbles. The defense played one of its better games today, starting with Gary and the line-up front.
Right Tackle Zach Tom
The Packers have found their guy at right tackle. Aiden Hutchinson was a game-wrecker the first time these two teams met. This time around, he ended with two tackles and no sacks. He was non-existent, and Love had plenty of time in the pocket. Seeing Tom’s growth over the past month has been impressive.
Safety Jonathan Owens
Jonathan Owens will need an extra serving of food on Thanksgiving after his performance. Owens was all over the field, finishing the day with 12 tackles and eight solos. His day’s highlight was a scoop and score after a Rashan Gary sack fumble. He played with a lot of energy and put together his best performance of the year.
Green Bay Packers Duds
Kicker Anders Carlson
When a team performs like they did in this game, it’s hard to find a lot of duds that stand out. For the second consecutive week, Anders Carlson has missed an extra point. Today, it did not impact the game as much, but it can change the game’s landscape in closer games. He also was short on a 63-yard kick, giving the Lions a chance to return it. The Packers need more consistency out of Carlson.
Top Draft Pick
With a big win over the Detroit Lions, the Green Bay Packers are a game and a half back from the playoffs with a favorable schedule ahead. The Packers never were tanking, but for a while, their potential drafting spot was high. I will never root for a team to lose for a better draft pick. In the NFL, anything can happen any given week. The Packers now return to Lambeau to take on Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
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