Quick takeaways from Packers' 31-24 win over Lions: Love and Wicks call game

The Green Bay Packers landed more punches in a heavyweight fight with the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, claiming the season sweep over Detroit for the first time since 2020 and helping their prospects of capturing the NFC North by the end of 2025.

Here are some quick takeaways from a thrilling Packers victory:

Biggest play

An easy choice. Matt LaFleur showed real nerve to let his offense try to finish the game on 4th-and-3 from around midfield, and his players made him right.

Jordan Love hit one of his patented fadeaway throws under pressure, giving Dontayvion Wicks a chance, and the receiver delivered, holding on despite Brian Branch’s best efforts to seal the win for Green Bay. A potentially season-defining play.

Standout player

Jordan Love has ascended to one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, and today was confirmation on the biggest possible stage.

It was always going to be feast or famine against this Lions defense, and he only completed 18 of 30 passes, but made countless huge throws, tossing four touchdown passes and being credited with four big-time throws by PFF.

This was a statement performance by Love.

Reason for optimism

The Packers managed to run the ball pretty effectively throughout the day against one of the most stingy rushing defenses in the league.

Josh Jacobs averaged 4.9 yards per carry; his fourth-highest total of the year, but his three superior games were against some of the softest run defenses around.

The move to Anthony Belton at right guard seems to have given Green Bay some much needed physicality up front, and it showed on Thanksgiving.

Cause for concern

Devonte Wyatt leaving on a cart with an ankle injury will be a huge loss for the Packers. Matt LaFleur suggested the injury is significant in his post-game press conference. Green Bay’s interior was not quite the same when he previously missed time, and they will be relying on young players to step up if he is out for a significant stretch.

Injuries

Wyatt’s injury was the only one of significance from Thursday, as he got rolled up on and was fairly quickly ruled out with an ankle. After the game, LaFleur did not express much optimism around Wyatt's injury, telling the media: "It doesn't look good. I'm sick for him." He also called the injury "a critical loss for our defense."

Extra point

Christian Watson was his usual explosive self in this contest and continued his excellent performances with a four-catch, 80-yard game, including a long touchdown.

But raise a glass this Thanksgiving for Dontayvion Wicks, who caught six passes for 94 yards, two touchdowns and the crucial, game-ending catch. With the Packers down a bunch of pass catchers, Wicks showed why he is still worthy of being a big part of the offense.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Quick takeaways from Packers' 31-24 win over Lions: Wicks seals massive win