How the Packers Can Reclaim the NFC North: A Thanksgiving Statement, and a Path Forward
Before we get into what the Green Bay Packers need to do to take control of the NFC North, let’s take a moment to appreciate what they just pulled off on Thanksgiving. Because that wasn’t just a win-it was a message.
Last season, Green Bay went 1-5 against the division. And while the games were close, the Lions had their number-especially on fourth down.
The Packers couldn’t get off the field, and Detroit made them pay for it. Fast forward to Thanksgiving, and the tables turned in a big way.
Green Bay went 3-for-3 on fourth down, including two touchdowns and a game-sealing conversion. Detroit?
0-for-2. The Lions never led for a single second.
That’s not just a win-it’s a statement. For the past two seasons, Detroit had bullied Green Bay.
But this year? A clean sweep, and not a single moment spent trailing.
It’s too early to say the tide has fully turned, but it’s a heck of a start.
With the Lions handled and the Vikings in a tailspin, that leaves one team standing in Green Bay’s way: the Chicago Bears. And while this game won’t be a walk in the park, the Packers have a clear path to the top of the division.
All Gas, No Brakes: LaFleur Lets It Rip
The phrase “All Gas, No Brakes” has been linked to Matt LaFleur for a while now, but let’s be honest-it hasn’t always shown up on Sundays. That changed on Thanksgiving.
After a conservative showing against Minnesota, LaFleur came out swinging against Detroit. He went for it on fourth down three times.
Result? Two touchdowns and a dagger of a first down to close it out.
Where did that confidence come from? It probably starts with the guy under center.
Jordan Love has been quietly climbing the quarterback rankings, and heading into Week 13, his numbers were eye-popping: 2nd in total EPA, 1st in EPA per play, 1st in passing EPA, 9th in success rate, 3rd in CPOE, 1st in clean-pocket EPA, 2nd in clean-pocket success rate, and 3rd in non-play-action EPA.
Translation? He’s balling.
Even after a slow start on Thanksgiving, LaFleur kept trusting Love-and was rewarded with four touchdown passes and zero turnovers. If the Packers weren’t so committed to feeding their backs near the goal line, Love might be putting up MVP-level touchdown totals alongside names like Drake Maye and Matt Stafford.
Now he gets a shot at a Bears defense that’s given up 52 to Detroit, 42 to Joe Flacco’s Bengals, and 27 to JJ McCarthy. When they don’t force turnovers, they’re average at best.
The Packers don’t turn the ball over. If they can keep the ground game efficient and take deep shots to Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks, there’s no reason this offense can’t light up the scoreboard again.
The Packers Defense Has One Job: Stop the Run
Yes, Caleb Williams has made strides in his rookie year under Ben Johnson. But let’s not get it twisted-this Bears offense is surviving as much in spite of him as it is because of him.
He’s shown flashes, particularly with explosive plays and his ability to escape pressure. But the consistency isn’t there yet.
He’s still completing under 60% of his passes, and against the Eagles, he was at just 47.2%.
The Bears offense lives off big plays and Williams scrambling. That’s a dangerous formula, but it’s also one the Packers are built to counter.
Green Bay ranks among the league’s best at limiting explosive plays and is in the top third in sacks. If Chicago wants to win, their best shot is to keep it on the ground and control the clock.
That’s where things get tricky. Devonte Wyatt’s season-ending injury on Thanksgiving hurts-no question.
But the next-man-up mentality has to kick in now. Colby Wooden, Warren Brinson, and Nazir Stackhouse will be asked to step up in a big way.
Getting Quay Walker back would be a major boost too. If Green Bay can bottle up the Bears’ ground game like they did against the Lions, they’ll put the pressure squarely on Williams to beat them through the air-and that’s a matchup the Packers should welcome.
Special Teams: Just Don’t Be a Problem
Let’s talk special teams. Two weeks ago, they were a liability.
On Thanksgiving? They weren’t flashy, but they didn’t hurt the team either.
No big returns allowed, no costly penalties, no missed kicks. Sometimes, no news is good news-and right now, that’s all the Packers need from this unit.
Just don’t make things worse.
That said, one player deserves a spotlight: punter Daniel Whelan.
Whelan is currently Pro Football Focus’ top-rated punter-and it’s not even close. In a season where Packers fans have learned to hold their breath every time the special teams unit trots out, Whelan has been a rock.
He’s turned one of football’s most overlooked positions into a legitimate weapon. Whether the Pro Bowl voters recognize it or not, Green Bay knows what they’ve got in him.
Final Word: The North Is Within Reach
Divisional games are always unpredictable. Familiarity breeds chaos, and strange things happen when rivals clash.
But let’s be real-Chicago isn’t quite what their record suggests. Green Bay is playing at home.
Their defense is built to stop what the Bears do best. And Jordan Love is playing the best football of his young career.
If the Packers take care of business-stay aggressive on offense, contain the run, and avoid special teams blunders-there’s a strong chance we’ll be looking at a new leader in the NFC North by the end of Sunday.
The road back to the top starts now. And Green Bay looks ready to take the wheel.