The day the Packers reclaimed the North?

The Lions have won the NFC North in each of the last two years, and the Packers have not achieved a division title since 2021, with the Vikings claiming the crown in 2022.

Green Bay has finished third in the division in two of the last three years, but Thursday might have been the day they declared their intentions to reclaim their throne.

The loss on Thanksgiving essentially ended Detroit’s chances of winning the NFC North in 2025, and dropped their playoff odds to just above a 50/50 chance. If the Packers beat the Bears next week, they could be in the box seat to restore order to the division.

Matt LaFleur outdoes Dan Campbell on 4th down

LaFleur deserves huge credit for recognizing what it was going to take to beat the Lions in their house. He put his foot all the way down on the gas pedal and never let up, including going for it on 4th down whenever he reasonably could have, including the game-sealing final play.

The Packers went 3 for 3 on 4th down, with the Lions going 0 for 2. In a game that looked remarkably close on the stat sheet, that was ultimately the difference.

Green Bay’s willingness to be aggressive downfield and early in the game got them out to a lead which meant Detroit was chasing for the rest of the afternoon, and that set the Packers defense up for success.

It was a signature win for LaFleur on Thursday, and one of his most important as Packers head coach.

Devonte Wyatt injury hurts 

It has now been confirmed Wyatt is expected to miss the rest of the season with a fractured ankle, and his absence will pose a real challenge for Green Bay’s defense, specifically their front.

Karl Brooks will now be the elder statesman of the group, with the Packers relying on Colby Wooden, Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse to step up and help replace Wyatt in the aggregate.

There has been some cause for optimism that the arrow is pointing up for the trio, with Wooden being reliable on defense all year and Brinson and Stackhouse steadily improving, but they will need to grow up quickly now.

This was always the risk in trading away Kenny Clark, and although the Packers would do it again in a heartbeat, they now look a little shaky on the defensive interior.

Dontayvion Wicks reminds everyone of his talent

Wicks had a career day on Thanksgiving, catching six passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns, and making the biggest play of the game in converting a 4th and 3 to end it.

He is an extremely naturally gifted receiver, and the drops have been less of an issue this season after a nightmarish campaign in 2024. Injuries have hampered him at times this year, but he reminded everyone of what he is capable of when given the chance on Thursday.

Offensive line finding its groove?

The Packers did not allow a sack on Jordan Love in Thursday’s win, and their offensive line looks to be improving as the season is going on.

Aaron Banks now has a 68.7 snap-weighted PFF grade in pass protection in the last eight games, while new center Sean Rhyan had a 70.7 grade in pass pro, and a 70.4 grade overall.

Zach Tom has returned to lockdown form after getting healthy following a tough start in that regard, and Green Bay was also able to run the ball effectively against Detroit, one of the better run defenses in the league coming in.

The run blocking is still something of a work in progress overall, and Anthony Belton is trying to settle in after seemingly winning the right guard job, but there are positive signs from the Packers’ big guys.