Packers head coach Matt LaFleur made some aggressive play calls in the win over the Lions.
The Green Bay Packers picked up a major win over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. A key factor in the win was the aggressive playcalling from head coach Matt LaFleur.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is known for being an aggressive playcaller, often going for it on fourth down, but LaFleur matched his aggressiveness on Thursday, and it paid off for the Packers.
Green Bay went for it three times on fourth down, with the first two conversions resulting in touchdowns. The third conversion was the game-clinching pass from Jordan Love to Dontayvion Wicks.
LaFleur's playcalling has been heavily scrutinized this season, as he has been very conservative. However, in the Thanksgiving win, he was aggressive throughout the game, which gave the Packers the edge over the Lions.
He let Jordan Love throw the ball more on early downs, which led to a lot of success for the Packers' offense. Love completed 18 of 30 passes for 234 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions in the win.
On the other side of the ball, the Lions stayed aggressive under Campbell, but the Packers' defense did a great job of making key stops. Detroit did not convert either of its two fourth-down attempts.
As Green Bay enters their stretch run, they will need LaFleur to continue to be aggressive with his playcalling. This doesn't mean he needs to go for it on fourth down every time, but he needs to let Love throw it on early downs.
The offense was much more effective with the Lions defense not knowing if a pass or run would be called on early downs. In previous games, the Packers were running the ball almost exclusively on first down, and it hadn't been very effective.
Even with just the threat of a pass on first down, it makes the run game more effective. Running back Josh Jacobs ran for 83 yards on 17 carries, including a 29-yard carry.
The Packers' offense finally matched the elite play of their defense. If LaFleur can remain aggressive for the rest of the season, Green Bay will have a legitimate shot at making a deep playoff run.