Dontayvion Wicks might have earned himself some extra dessert at his Thanksgiving dinner today. The third-year wide receiver played a pivotal role in the Green Bay Packers beating the Detroit Lions 31-24 in the first game of the day, finishing with six catches for 94 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
His best play of the afternoon was a 16-yard grab to ice the game in the late fourth quarter.
Up a touchdown with 1:55 left in the fourth quarter, Packers coach Matt LaFleur opted to leave his offense on the field for a 4th-and-3 from the Detroit 45-yard line. After it initially looked like the team was simply trying to draw its opponent offside, the offense returned to the field following a timeout call.
The stakes were clear: a conversion would seal the Packers’ eighth win of the year, while failure to do so would give the Lions one last chance from a prime starting field position. Wicks made sure the home team never got that opportunity.
Facing defensive back Brian Branch in man coverage, he perfectly high-pointed quarterback Jordan Love’s pass before shielding it off to complete the catch. He managed to do all that despite not just Branch being all over him, but losing a shoe as well before going up for the ball.
Fourth down was the story of the day for both the Packers and Lions. Whereas Detroit failed to convert on either of their two tries, Green Bay went 3-for-3, including in the game’s final moments.
