LaFluer Was (almost) Too Aggressive

Matt LaFluer went for 4^th down on three separate occasions and all were crucial. The first came on Green Bay’s 3^rd possession, it was a 4^th & 3 from the Detroit 22, with the Packers leading 3-0. I didn’t like the decision as taking the points would’ve made it 6-0 with complete control, but it proved a valid try as Love connected with Wicks for the first of their 2 touchdowns on the day.

The second occurrence came on their next drive, which was a 4^th & 1 from the Detroit 2, with Green Bay leading 10-7. Love hit Doubs on a quick out route to jump the lead 17-7 in the Packers’ favor.

The last attempt was the ultimate aggressive decision, to win the game. After Watson’s drop on 3^rd & 3, Love tried to draw the Lions offsides, but “before” the play clock expired, LaFluer called timeout. The next snap we saw Jordan Love hit his iconic fadeaway throw to Wicks who made a great catch for 16 yards, ending the game.

In a tightly contested game against two premier teams in the NFC, these games typically come down to turnovers. Since there were no turnovers, a “Turnover on Downs” acts just as that, a turnover. LaFluer took a page out of the blueprint from Dan Quinn (Washington’s Head Coach) in last season’s NFC Championship game where Quinn and the Commanders beat Detroit at their own game – 4^th down assertiveness and completed the task. Green Bay converted their first two 4^th downs into Touchdowns (14 points) and held Detroit on both of their attempts…technically resulting in a potentially 28-point swing. Had Detroit converted both of theirs and eventually crossed the goal line that would’ve been an additional 14 points for the Lions and since Green Bay scored 14 on their 2 conversions, had they failed it would’ve taken 14 points off the board for the Packers. While coaches get tons of blame (not undeservedly all the time), they should get credit when things go right. However, what happens is the players need to execute and the Packers DID while the Lions did not. It was clear that was the difference in the game. It essentially acted like the Packers were +4 in the turnover margin of this game, and it felt that way.

All the more reason that generating turnovers is a huge part of the game, but converting on them is far more paramount.

Love Was Outstanding – Sans 1 Throw

Jordan Love kept his Thanksgiving dominance going by delivering 18/30 (60%), 234 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, with a 124.2 rating. That brings Love’s Thanksgiving stats to 61/90 (67.8%), 776 yards, 9 TDs, 0 INTs, and a 126.3 rating across 3 games. The most important of all the stats is that he’s 3-0, against solid teams. Two of those wins are road victories against a very good Detroit Lions team.

The 1 miss throw Love had come on the 1^st possession, on 1^st & 10 from the Detroit 27. On a busted play, Love created space by stepping up and Melton (in the flat) took off up field and was wide open for a TD, which Love short-armed. Other than that, he was pretty perfect.

Micah Parsons Continues to Come Through

Parsons finished the game with 10 QB pressures, 4 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 4 QB hits, and the huge 2 ½ sacks, with 2 coming on Detroit’s final drive (the last holding Detroit out of the end zone). He was truly incredible which is not an understatement, still at this point in the season. He’s now the first player in NFL history to record at least 12 sacks in each of his first 5 seasons – just amazing.

OL Is Beginning to Gain Some Continuity

The Packers stuck with the same OL for the entire game and it made a world of difference. Jordan Morgan, whom I still like, sat the bench with rookie Anthony Belton getting every snap at RG. Kinnard came in as the 6^th OL for 14 snaps (22%). LaFluer helped out the OL by calling 35 pass plays to 25 runs and that aggression paid off with Green Bay putting up 31 points and would have been 35 had Love not missed Melton on that first drive. The Packers were able to rush for 125 yards on 30 carries (4.2 yards/carry) with Jacobs getting a bulk of the attempts (17 carries for 83 yards). Also, Love was not sacked and had a clean pocket much of the game and Green Bay was able to control the game.

Worth noting, Rasheed Walker had, arguably, the play of the season snagging a Romeo Doubs fumble at the Detroit 6, leading 24-21 late in the 3^rd quarter. The Packers were able to punch it in 3 plays later to extend the lead to 31-21, ultimately proving enough to win the game.

What Now?

This sets up, again, the biggest game of the season as the Bears will travel to Lambeau Field with the winner holding 1^st place in the division. It’s been a while since both Chicago and Green Bay had something to play for in their matchup – but here we are.