Sports — Football

The NFC North Division Crown Appears to be Within Reach for the Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers score decisive victory over the Detroit Lions, securing a 27-13 win on Sunday.

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2025 September 16 . 6:38 AM

2 min read

Green Bay Packers emerging as dominant force in NFC North division

The NFC North Division Crown Appears to be Within Reach for the Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers kicked off their 2025 season with a bang, defeating the Lions 27-13 in a game that marked one of their most impressive wins this decade.

The Lions, who had won back-to-back divisional titles and were the bully of the NFC North, had dominated the Packers in recent years. However, the Packers were determined to turn the tables this time around.

The Packers' defense, led by the recently acquired edge rusher Micah Parsons, was a force to be reckoned with. Parsons made a significant impact in his 29 snaps, recording three pressures, and adding a sack to the team's tally of four in the game.

The Lions, who led the NFL in scoring last season and ranked second in total offense, were held to their fewest points since Week 7, 2023 (246 yards). Green Bay's defense limited Detroit's arguably best running back duo, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, to 46 rushing yards overall.

The Packers' offense, under the guidance of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, started fast, scoring points on their opening drive. This was a goal they aimed to achieve after slow starts in past games against the Lions. Green Bay scored 17 points on their first three possessions, forcing Detroit to play catch-up all night.

Packers safety Xavier McKinney stated that the team came out with the right mindset, had a lot of energy, and were on their job. Micah Parsons expressed that people may have seen the Packers as a good team, but they may not fully understand the team's potential for greatness.

Tucker Kraft, the Green Bay Packers tight end, was particularly motivated to beat the Lions at home in his career. The Packers had not played the Lions in the postseason since falling in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

Rashan Gary, a product of the Green Bay Packers' coaching staff since he joined the team, felt the excitement while driving to Lambeau Field 4 ½ hours before kickoff for a game against Detroit. The Packers had waited all offseason to face the NFC North champion Lions and made the most of the opportunity.

The Packers' victory over Detroit marks their first win of the season, and their first win against the Lions and the NFC North. The Packers won three straight NFC North titles between 2019-2021, going 15-3 against the division in that time. The Lions had gone 15-2 in 2024, but their winning streak against Green Bay came to an end.

Xavier McKinney shared that the team's performance was as expected, as they had prepared all offseason for this game, aiming to avenge their 0-2 record from last year. The Packers' impressive win over the Lions serves as a strong statement for the rest of the season.