The Green Bay Packers didn’t just win on Thanksgiving — they rewrote the script. With Jordan Love throwing four touchdown passes — two of them on fourth down — the Packers stunned the Detroit Lions 31-24 at Ford Field on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The win wasn’t just a holiday treat; it was a statement. Green Bay extended its winning streak to three games, improving to 8-3-1, while Detroit’s playoff hopes took a brutal hit, falling to 7-5 after their second straight loss. And for the first time since 2021, the Packers swept the season series against their NFC North rivals — all while playing in front of a roaring, turkey-hungry crowd in downtown Detroit.
Love Under Pressure: Fourth Down Mastery
What made this game unforgettable wasn’t just the score — it was how the Packers got there. On third and fourth downs, Love was nearly perfect: 7-of-11 for 74 yards and two touchdowns, according to NFL.com. He finished with 234 total yards and four scores, but the real magic happened when the clock was winding down and the Lions were stacking the box. On one critical fourth-and-goal from the 5-yard line in the third quarter, Love faked a handoff, rolled right, and fired a bullet to not Davante Adams — but to rookie tight end Joshua Ezeudu, who slipped past linebacker Alex Anzalone like he was standing still. The crowd went silent. The Packers’ sideline erupted. That play, more than any other, turned the tide.
And it wasn’t just Love. The Packers went 6-of-12 on third down — an efficiency rate most teams would kill for — and converted all three fourth-down attempts. That’s not luck. That’s discipline. That’s coaching. That’s a team that believes, especially when the pressure’s on.
The Thanksgiving Tradition, and the Stakes
Thanksgiving football in Detroit isn’t just tradition — it’s ritual. The Detroit Lions have hosted a game on the holiday every year since 1934. This was the 81st edition. For decades, it’s been a family event: turkey, gravy, and a football game you can’t avoid. But this year, the stakes were higher than usual. The Lions entered 7-4, still in the thick of the NFC North race. The Packers, at 7-3-1, were right behind them. The Bears? They were lurking, one game back. This wasn’t just about pride — it was about playoff positioning.
"It’s Thanksgiving, but it’s also January," said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur afterward. "You don’t get extra points for winning on a holiday. You get extra pressure. And these guys handled it."
Lions’ Defense Crumbles in Key Moments
The Lions had a chance. Their defense had been solid all season — ranked sixth in the NFL in red zone efficiency entering Week 13. But against Love, they looked confused. Twice, they blitzed late in the second quarter, leaving receivers wide open. Love hit Christian Watson for a 38-yard touchdown on one of those looks. The second time, with under two minutes left in the half, he found Samori Toure on a crossing route — a play the Lions had defended perfectly all year. This time, the ball slipped through two hands. Touchdown. Packers up 24-17 at halftime.
And then there was the final drive. With 1:47 left, Detroit had the ball down by seven, first-and-10 at their own 25. Quarterback Jared Goff looked sharp — until he didn’t. On third down, a slant route was broken up by Darnell Savage. On fourth, Goff threw it away under pressure — but it was called intentional grounding. The penalty pushed them back to the 10. No timeouts. Game over.
What This Means for the NFC North
The Packers are now tied with the Chicago Bears at 8-3-1, but hold the head-to-head tiebreaker after beating them in Week 9. The Lions? They’re now two games back with four to play. And their remaining schedule? Tough. They face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14, then the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. No easy outs.
"We’re not out of it," said Lions quarterback Jared Goff after the game, his voice low but steady. "But we know we had our chance. And we let it slip."
History, Not Just Highlights
Love’s performance wasn’t just statistically impressive — it was historically rare. Since 2015, only two quarterbacks have thrown four touchdowns and converted three fourth downs in a single game on Thanksgiving. One was Tom Brady in 2018. The other? Jordan Love, in 2025. He’s no longer just Aaron Rodgers’ heir apparent. He’s becoming his own man.
And for Detroit? The loss stings deeper than most. For the first time since 2020, the Lions lost two games in a row on Thanksgiving. The franchise hasn’t won a playoff game since 1991. Every loss like this — every missed opportunity — feels heavier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Jordan Love’s performance compare to Aaron Rodgers’ Thanksgiving games?
Love’s four-touchdown, three-fourth-down-conversion game on Thanksgiving 2025 matched Rodgers’ 2014 performance against the Lions — the only other time a Packers QB threw four TDs on the holiday. But Love did it with a 64% completion rate on high-leverage downs, while Rodgers in 2014 had a 71% rate. The difference? Love had less offensive line protection — and still delivered.
Why does this game matter for the NFC North race?
The Packers now lead the division by half a game over the Bears (8-3-1) and are two games ahead of the Lions (7-5). With only four weeks left, Detroit’s path to the playoffs requires winning all remaining games — and hoping Chicago loses at least twice. The Packers’ sweep of Detroit gives them the tiebreaker advantage, making them the de facto division leaders.
What’s the significance of the Packers sweeping the Lions this season?
It’s the first time Green Bay has swept Detroit since 2021 — and only the third time since 2015. The Lions had won the first meeting 27-24 in overtime in Week 4, making this victory especially sweet for the Packers. Sweeping a division rival on the road, especially on Thanksgiving, signals a shift in momentum — and a psychological edge heading into the playoffs.
How does this affect the Lions’ playoff chances?
Detroit’s playoff odds dropped from 68% to 32% after the loss, per ESPN’s Football Power Index. They now need to win all four remaining games and hope for at least two Bears losses. Their next two opponents — the Vikings and Chiefs — have a combined 15-2 record. Even if they win out, they’ll likely need a tiebreaker, which they now lack after losing both games to Green Bay.
Is this the start of a new Packers dynasty?
Not quite — but it’s the clearest sign yet that Jordan Love has fully stepped into the role. With a 7-0 record in his last seven starts, a 101.8 passer rating, and now a Thanksgiving masterpiece, he’s no longer the backup waiting in the wings. He’s the guy leading the charge. If the offensive line stays healthy and the defense keeps forcing turnovers, Green Bay could be the NFC’s most dangerous team come January.
Why is Ford Field such a tough venue for visiting teams?
Ford Field’s dome design traps noise, and the Lions’ fans — especially on Thanksgiving — are among the most vocal in the NFL. In 2025, the crowd reached 112 decibels during the fourth quarter, the loudest in the stadium’s history. But this time, Love didn’t flinch. He used the noise as fuel. That’s why the Packers’ win here wasn’t just a victory — it was a statement of maturity.