Packers' Matt LaFleur focused on Steelers battle not Aaron Rodgers hype 1 Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Packers’ surge being powered by key metric

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Nov 25, 2025 2:32 PM ET

The Packers have the chance to take a big leap towards winning the NFC North on Thursday afternoon at Ford Field against the Detroit Lions.

Last Sunday against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons played up to expectations, swarming around overwhelmed second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, sacking him twice, upping his season total to 10.

On Thanksgiving, Green Bay may need another dominant defensive performance.

Packers’ defense leading the way

For as much scrutiny and credit as Quarterback Jordan Love and Green Bay’s offense garner, it has been coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense that is powering a run towards the postseason.

As NFL Media’s Eric Edholm points out, Parsons, Xavier McKinney, and Green Bay’s defense limiting the damage on the scoreboard is buying time for the offense to find an identity.

Don’t look now, but the Packers have allowed 20 or fewer points in eight games this season,” Edholm writes. “On Sunday, they harassed J.J. McCarthy" data-link="/players/j-j-mccarthy/" data-slug="j-j-mccarthy">J.J. McCarthy for four quarters, to the tune of five sacks and 10 QB hits. Micah Parsons" data-link="/players/micah-parsons/" data-slug="micah-parsons">Micah Parsons isn’t receiving national buzz these days, but he had two of those sacks (after logging 1.5 in Week 11 vs. the Giants) and was dominant against the Vikings’ Christian Darrisaw" data-link="/players/christian-darrisaw/" data-slug="christian-darrisaw">Christian Darrisaw.

“At the moment, this defense appears to be Green Bay’s key to making some noise in January, assuming this team makes the playoffs, while the offense works through its inefficiencies.”

Packers' surge being powered by key metric 2 Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) against the Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Vikings 23-6.Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Green Bay holding opponents below 20 points isn’t just as dominant as you’ll find a defense in the league but could be critical to this team making a run.

If the Packers can replicate their recent success against Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and the Lions, Green Bay could be primed to pull off a critical statement win that could become a launchpad towards the postseason.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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