How five Packers players to watch performed vs the Lions
The Green Bay Packers shocked the NFL world and beat the Detroit Lions 29-22 on Thanksgiving. It was the best overall performance by the team this season, and there was a complete game for the most part. Check out how the five players we took before the game performed in Detroit. Tucker Kraft The first […]
The Green Bay Packers shocked the NFL world and beat the Detroit Lions 29-22 on Thanksgiving. It was the best overall performance by the team this season, and there was a complete game for the most part.
Check out how the five players we took before the game performed in Detroit.
Tucker Kraft
The first half went as well as one could hope for the rookie tight end. He obviously wasn't as involved in the passing offense as Luke Musgrave usually is, but he still had two catches for 15 yards, including a designed play for a touchdown. His presence wasn’t as felt in the second half, but it was still a solid overall performance. Kraft is also a solid blocker, which is particularly impressive for a rookie.
AJ Dillon
It wasn't a great game from Dillon. Even though he played the majority of snaps, his numbers were just mediocre. He also made a big mistake on a 4th & 1 in the first half, running to the wrong side, colliding with Jordan Love, and therefore failing to convert. Dillon is a versatile piece, and he had three catches for 38 yards, but his play by play inefficiency actually hurts the offense, and they absolutely miss a healthy Aaron Jones. He finished the game with 43 yards in 14 carries (3.1 average).
Zach Tom
Tom showed that he played poorly in the first game against the Lions more because he was not healthy. Now, he was able to limit Aidan Hutchinson's production and give Jordan Love more than enough time, even with a pass-heavy gameplan. Last year’s second overall pick didn’t record any sack, and outside of a couple pressures from the right side of the offense, it was an impressively clean game. Tom is a good one, and he’s shown that throughout the season. His Thanksgiving performance is just a confirmation.
Rashan Gary
The Packers best defensive player was the greatest example of how well the defensive front played. Jared Goff was constantly under pressure, and the results were obvious — the Lions quarterback’s delta when pressured or not is probably bigger than the NFL average, and that helped decide the game. He forced the fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Jonathan Owens and had another forced fumble on a decisive fourth down in the third quarter. Gary finished the game with three sacks, and general manager Brian Gutekunst left the game pretty happy to have locked Gary up for the next four years.
Keisean Nixon
Nixon had a solid game for the most part, but he wasn't a big part of the defense either. The Packers played a lot of heavier personnel looks against the Lions, but when Nixon was on the field, he was good enough to not be targeted much. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was much more willing to target Corey Ballentine, who had to start because Jaire Alexander was out once again.
Pointing out the Packers’ unsung heroes in Thanksgiving upset over Lions
These plays mattered a lot and not many people will talk about them.
