The Green Bay Packers had an impressive showing against the Detroit Lions in the first Thanksgiving game of the day.
In a 29-22 victory, the Packers were all over the Lions and forced three turnovers, including a scoop and score from defensive back Jonathan Owens.
Not many thought the Packers would still be viewed as a potential playoff team at the end of this matchup, but they were able to hold on to their postseason chances.
Packers Take Down Lions
The story of the Packers’ season is the offseason trade of Aaron Rodgers, who had spent 18 seasons with the team, to the New York Jets.
The Packers’ decision to trade Rodgers was influenced by their investment in Jordan Love, a former first-round pick in 2020.
Love has completed 59.7% of his pass attempts this season for 2,331 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. In the win over the Lions, he completed 68.8% of his passes for 268 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Love found Christian Watson for a 53-yard gain on the first play of the game, which led to a Jayden Reed touchdown to put Green Bay up 7-0. They would not give up this lead for the remainder of the game.
The Lions responded with a Jared Goff touchdown to Sam LaPorta to make it 7-6 as they missed the PAT. But Green Bay went right down the field again, and Love tossed a touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft to make it 14-6.
MORE: How Dan Campbell’s Aggressiveness Doomed the Lions on Thanksgiving
The game was messy for the Lions, as they committed three turnovers. The Packers entered the contest banged up and missing several key players — tight end Luke Musgrave and receiver Emanuel Wilson went on injured reserve Wednesday, while Aaron Jones sat out with a knee injury. But they still managed to pull out the win due to the Lions’ miscues.
Starting the season at 2-5, it looked like the Packers would be out of the race in the NFC and have to reconsider if Love would be their future QB. However, a few weeks later, they have realistic odds to make the playoffs.
Packers Playoff Picture
Green Bay was 4-6 a year ago before bouncing back with four straight wins to move into playoff contention.
After improving to 5-6, the Packers remain third in the NFC North, ahead of the 3-8 Bears and behind the 8-3 Lions and 6-5 Vikings.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
The Packers will keep pace with the Vikings for the No. 7 seed in the conference. They remain a game back of the Vikings in the loss column for the final playoff spot. The Lions still lead the NFC North, and with Thursday’s loss, fall 1.5 games behind the Philadelphia Eagles for home-field advantage in the NFC and two games behind in the loss column.
After defeating the Los Angeles Chargers last week, Green Bay’s playoff chances sat just below 25%, according to the ESPN Football Power Index. With this win over the Lions, those chances will increase to around 40%. Should they beat the Chiefs next week, those odds could increase to around 60%, depending on other results.
Meanwhile, a loss to the Lions would have been devastating for the Packers — dropping their odds of making the playoffs to below 20%.
Green Bay is still clawing its way toward a Wild Card spot, and this big win over the Lions could be the turning point that gets them there.
After facing the 7-3 Chiefs, the Packers should be able to pick up some wins, considering they draw an easier schedule throughout the rest of the season. They will face the Giants, Panthers, and Bears before the end of the season — all feasible wins.
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