The first half of action between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions played out exactly that way from the pregame introductions, where Parsons was announced last running out the tunnel to a roaring ovation, to the halftime buzzer. Green Bay took a 17-3 lead over Detroit into the locker room at the end of the half.
Quarterback Jordan Love surgically picked apart Detroit’s defense with 17 points on the Packers’ first three drives, including two touchdown tosses – one to tight end Tucker Kraft (15 yards) and another to wide receiver Jayden Reed (17 yards). On Green Bay’s third drive of the game, the second touchdown drive, the Packers found the end zone in just two plays, on two throws from Love.
Love dropped a dime to wide receiver Romeo Doubs on a post route over the middle of the field for an explosive gain of 48 yards, and then he hit Reed with ease on a vertical route to the end zone for a 17-yard score. The Packers quarterback finished the half with 167 yards passing and two touchdowns on 12 of 16 passing.
Parsons checked into the game on the third play of the Lions’ opening series to another raucous ovation with Detroit facing a third-and-7. He provided an immediate impact, beating Lions All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell to the inside to pressure Jared Goff into a short checkdown to Jahmyr Gibbs. The play went for a loss of two, and the Lions were forced to punt after a three-and-out.
Parsons also helped force Goff rush a third-down throw that resulted in Detroit settling for a 30-yard field goal on its second drive of the game. He also sped up Goff on another third-and-7 throw inside the red zone just before halftime, which allowed safety Evan Williams to undercut the pass for an interception. Goff finished the half with 75 yards passing and a pick on 13 of 16 passing.
Can the Lions make this a game when they start the third quarter with the football? Or will the Packers create even more separation in the second half? Stay tuned to our live blog below to find out!