Week 1 Statement: Micah Parsons Sparks Packers to Rout of Lions

GREEN BAY, Wis. – No championships have ever been won in Week 1 of an NFL season. But the Green Bay Packers made an emphatic statement that they are Super Bowl contenders by beating the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Fueled by a hot start by Jordan Love and some impact rushes by Micah Parsons in his Packers debut, the Packers knocked off the two-time defending NFC North champions 27-13 in front of a split crowd at Lambeau Field.

The Packers, playing at home in Week 1 for the first time under Matt LaFleur, won their home opener for the 13th consecutive year. The Lions, who went 15-2 last season, including 8-0 on the road, had won three in a row at Lambeau Field.

Green Bay came out smoking hot. The crowd would have been in a frenzy, anyway, but LaFleur wisely had the defense introduced before the game with Parsons the last man out of the tunnel.

The emotions of the moment probably had nothing to do with the crisp opening possession, with Love and the passing attack zooming right down the field against the Lions for a season-opening touchdown. Moments later, Parsons on his first snap forced a three-and-out punt.

The Packers were on their way. They didn’t just beat the Lions. They mostly dominated the matchup. After finishing in third place in the division last season, a distant four games behind Detroit in the standings, the Packers are on top of the NFC North world with a 1-0 record.

Late in the fourth quarter, with Green Bay up by 21, Parsons hit that incredible third gear and ran down Goff for a sack. The Packers’ bench erupted.

Green Bay had one of the best defenses in the NFL last season, finishing in the top six in yards allowed, points allowed and takeaways in Parsons' debut. The Lions, who led the league in scoring by a significant margin last year, didn’t get past 200 yards until just before the 2-minute warning. Rashan Gary had 1.5 of Green Bay’s four sacks and Edgerrin Cooper had 12 tackles.

It’s exactly the impact the Packers were hoping for when they sent two first-round picks and Kenny Clark to Dallas.

“My only comparison would be when I was with the Raiders. We got Ted Hendricks and it cost two No. 1s to get him,” former Packers general manager Ron Wolf told Packers On SI. “He was a difference-maker and he’s in the Hall of Fame, and rightfully so. We won games because of his ability to block kicks, intercept balls. It’s incredible what that addition meant to the Raiders.

“So, two No. 1s, to me, that’s my comparison. If this guy is whatever everybody says he is, then it’s a steal for the Packers in my opinion.”

Love was 16-of-22 passing for 188 yards and two touchdowns, good for a 128.6 passer rating. Ten players caught at least one pass, led by Jayden Reed’s three catches for 45 yards and one touchdown.

The Packers will host the Washington Commanders on Thursday night. Washington, which blew out the Lions at Ford Field last year to advance to the NFC Championship Game, won at home against the Giants 21-6.

The Packers, who were completely outplayed in the first half against the Lions in both games last season, turned the tables by taking a 17-3 lead into halftime.

Green Bay lost the opening coin toss and started with the ball. That backfired on Lions coach Dan Campbell, as Love came out slinging it. Even while badly overthrowing Tucker Kraft for what might have been a long touchdown, Love was 6-of-8 for 65 yards on the opening drive. On third-and-9, Love threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Kraft, with the ball somehow fitting between linebacker Jack Campbell and safety Brian Branch.

Green Bay’s defense forced a three-and-out. On third-and-7, Parsons trotted onto the field. The crowd erupted. His pressure forced Goff to check the ball into the flat to set up the punt.

Detroit pulled within 10-3 with 9:27 left in the second quarter. It took Love less than 1 minute to get the offense in the end zone. On the first play, Love threw a bomb to Romeo Doubbs for a gain of 48 yards; it was the first 40-yard catch of Doubs’ career. On the next play, Reed used a screen by Dontayvion Wicks to get open against Terrion Arnold for a 17-yard touchdown.

Late in the half, the Lions had a chance for a double-up. Parsons struck again. On third-and-7, Parsons blew past two-time All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell and was in Goff’s face in an instant. Goff’s pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown was intercepted by Evan Williams.

Goff had 75 passing yards in the first half but 61 on the opening drive of the third quarter, with completions of 32 and 16 yards to tight end Sam LaPorta setting up a chip-shot field goal.

Midway through the third quarter, with Green Bay leading 17-6, Lukas Van Ness lined up at defensive tackle and sacked Goff on third-and-6. Parsons’ rush against right tackle Penei Sewell helped keep Goff in the pocket.

The only negative would be injuries, with right tackle Zach Tom (hip) and left guard Aaron Banks (ankle) on the sideline. Tom was his typical brilliant self. Hutchinson had zero tackles and one quarterback hit.

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