The Green Bay Packers triumphed Thursday, on Thanksgiving Day in the United States, on the field of the Detroit Lions (31-24) to put pressure on the Chicago Bears at the top of the American Conference North (NFC) of the NFL.
In the first of three scheduled Thanksgiving Day games, the Packers increased their record to eight wins, three losses and a tie and ran the Lions into trouble, dropping to 7-5.
Green Bay tightens its grip on the NFC North
The leaders of each NFL division earn a ticket to the playoffs and will play the first round at home.
The Bears currently lead the NFC North and will compete this Friday on the field of the defending NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles.
At Ford Field in Detroit, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love dominated with four touchdown passes.
He racked up 234 yards on 18-of-30 passing.
Dontayvion Wicks had his best game of the season, with six receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns.
Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs had the other touchdown receptions for Green Bay.
Evenly matched at halftime
In addition, the Green Bay Packers defense stepped up against the Lions.
Micah Parsons pushed Detroit quarterback Jared Goff to the limit with 2.5 catches and eight blocks.
For the Lions, Goff threw for 256 yards (18-of-26 passing), with two touchdown passes, to Jameson Williams and Isaac TeSlaa.
It was an evenly matched game in Detroit, with the Green Bay Packers leading 17-14 at halftime.
A 22-yard reception by Wicks and a two-yard reception by Romeo Doubs provided the Packers’ TDs after Brandon McManus’ 3-0 opening field goal.
Love ignited the game
Despite losing one of their star players, Amon’Ra St Brown, to an ankle injury, the Lions stayed in the game with a touchdown run by David Montgomery.
And a 22 reception by Jameson Williams on the brink of halftime.
After the break, which showcased White Stripes singer Jack White alongside Eminem, Jordan Love gave the game a shot in the arm.
He found a wonderful 51-yard line to Watson and, after Detroit’s momentary response, handed off to Wicks on the 1-yard pass for 31-21.
Defense closes the game
The aggressiveness of the Green Bay Packers defense disabled the Lions in the fourth period.
They were held to a 31-yard field goal by Jack Bates in the final 15 minutes.
Love already had four touchdown passes, but came up with another big play before the end.
He completed a pass to Wicks on fourth down and three yards with less than two minutes on the clock that put the final nail in the coffin.
With information from EFE
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