Lions-Packers takeaways: Micah Parsons' sack fest spoils Detroit's Thanksgiving

Parsons now has 12.5 sacks in 12 games. The DE is the first player with 12 or more sacks in each of his first five seasons since 1982. That further highlights why the Packers traded for the transcendent talent this offseason.

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown's injury loomed large for Lions

St. Brown, the Lions No. 1 WR, suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter while blocking on a run play. He was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the game during the second half. The WR finished with no receptions.

The Lions offense didn't collapse without St. Brown, but it didn't look as sharp. Detroit only scored one touchdown in the second half (a 17-yard pass from QB Jared Goff to rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa).

Detroit WR Jameson Williams had a crucial drop on a 4th-and-3 at Green Bay's 21-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Had he caught the short pass, the Lions may have cut into a 31-21 deficit much earlier. St. Brown may have made this key play. 

Packers QB Jordan Love could use Thanksgiving game to get back on track

Love — who had thrown just two TD passes over his past four starts — may have rediscovered his groove on Thanksgiving. Against Detroit, the QB completed 18-of-30 passes for 234 yards and a season-high four TD passes. 

He also made one of the bigger plays of the game. On a 4th-and-3 at Detroit's 45-yard line with 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter, Love tossed a 16-yard dart to WR Dontayvion Wicks, sealing the game. 

Love has had an up-and-down season, but if he can continue to play the way he did against the Lions, that would increase the Packers' chances of winning their fifth Super Bowl. 

Lions pass rush may prevent them from making the playoffs 

The Lions pass rush has been a liability throughout the season. Outside of star DE Aidan Hutchinson — who entered Thursday's game with 8.5 sacks — Detroit lacks another player who can consistently generate pressure. 

This was apparent against the Packers. Love took no sacks in a game for just the third time this season. 

The shaky pass rush is one key reason why the Lions are now at risk of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Detroit (7-5) has now lost two of its past four games and would be outside of the playoff picture if the season ended Thursday.