The Green Bay Packers secured a 29-22 victory over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, putting them back in the NFL Playoffs contention with a 5-6 record. Despite offensive struggles, the Packers’ defense has been surprisingly consistent throughout the season.
Remarkably, the defense hadn’t allowed an opponent to score 24 points since October 29, ranking ninth in the NFL by allowing an average of 20.4 points per game. However, heading into the Thanksgiving matchup, injuries had left key starters like Jaire Alexander, Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, and De’Vondre Campbell sidelined.
In search of a spark, the Packers’ defense drew inspiration from a fake quote circulating on social media attributed to Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. The quote claimed he couldn’t name a single player on the Packers’ defense. Despite being debunked as fake, the defense took it personally, and defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery was heard challenging Jordan Love post-game.
The defense’s response was impressive, with Rashan Gary registering three sacks, Jonathan Owens scoring a touchdown from a fumble recovery, and the defensive line dominating the Lions. The top five highest-graded players on the Packers’ defense, according to PFF, included Gary, Karl Brooks, Jonathan Owens, Kingsley Enagbare, and Kenny Clark.
Notably, rookie Carrington Valentine, initially a backup, earned the second-highest pass coverage grade on the team. The young players stepped up to the challenge on Thanksgiving, showcasing their readiness despite starting the year as backups.
Looking ahead, the Packers face another test when the Kansas City Chiefs visit Green Bay on Sunday night.