Quarterback Jordan Love gave Green Bay Packers fans much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving.
In perhaps his best game of the season thus far, Love threw four touchdowns and led Green Bay to an upset victory on the Detroit Lions’ annual Thanksgiving stage, putting the Packers that much closer toward a playoff berth and closing in on the top spot in the NFC North. For his phenomenal day, Love earned FOX’s Madden Thanksgiving MVP award, a game ball, and a turkey leg.
Love is no stranger to success on November’s signature holiday. In all three of his seasons as a starting quarterback, Love has had to work on the holiday — twice in Detroit and once hosting the Miami Dolphins at Lambeau.
Outside of quarterbacks playing for Detroit or the Dallas Cowboys, it’s rare for a QB to play so frequently on Thanksgiving. And Love doesn’t just play, he knocks the stuffing out of opponents. Not only are the Packers 3-0 on Thanksgiving with Love under center, but Love has won the network’s game MVP award in each contest. With Thursday’s victory, Love holds the record for most wins by a Packers QB on Thanksgiving (even though QB wins aren’t a real stat).
There’s something about the holiday that brings out the best in Love. Just how good has Love been on Turkey Day?
It started in 2023, Love’s first year as the starter. With a first-time starting quarterback and an untested group of receivers, the offense had a slow start thanks to plenty of self-inflicted mistakes. We saw early signs of what the Packers under Love could be, but it was that season’s Thanksgiving game when everything came together.
In hostile Ford Field against an ascending Lions team, Love led the 4-6 Packers to an upset 29-22 victory. Love completed 22 of his 32 passing attempts for 268 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 125.5 passer rating. A day to be thankful for, earning Fox’s Madden Player of the Game award. It was the first taste of the Toyotathon legend Love would build that season.
Yet Love received no turkey leg from the network. Announcer Greg Olsen got his hands on the bird during the broadcast, and it never made its way to Love and the Packers. Perhaps this egregious slight is what fueled Love on future Thanksgivings.
That game was a turning point for the Packers, who went on to win four of their next six games, making the playoffs and advancing to the Divisional round. Love kept playing at a high level and edited the narrative around himself.
The following season, the Packers hosted the Dolphins at Lambeau for the final game of the Thanksgiving slate.
Again, Love led his team to victory over a Miami team that couldn’t handle the cold. The Packers earned their ninth win of the season, 30-17, thanks to Love’s 274 yards, two touchdowns, and 129.2 passer rating. Again, Love served no turnovers.
This time, Packer legend LeRoy Butler handled the turkey himself, making sure Love, NBC’s Madden Thanksgiving MVP, got his savory post-game treat.
The Packers team was more of a mixed bag after that game than in 2023, but Love’s Toyotathon legend grew, and Green Bay returned to the postseason.
Love carved the Lions once again on Thursday, going 18 for 30 on passes for 234 yards, four touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 124.2 rating. With Josh Jacobs not fully healthy, Love and the passing attack handled the red zone duties.
He was phenomenal on fourth downs, with two touchdowns and the game-sealing pass to Dontayvion Wicks in the fourth quarter. He and Matt LaFleur bested Dan Campbell at his own game, earning the MVP award and turkey leg once again.
Love’s 91.2 grade was the second-highest of the day and completed a season-high four passes over 20 air yards. It wasn’t easy for him either, with defenders in the area more often than not.
The victory was Green Bay’s first sweep of the Lions since 2020. With the Chicago Bears on deck next week, the Packers have a chance to own first place in the NFC North.
The 2025 offense is reminiscent of the 2023 squad’s. Mistakes and inconsistency have been issues this season, but when Love and the offense are hot, it looks like one of the best groups in the league. Could this year’s Thanksgiving victory over the Lions have the same effect as 2023’s?
The Packers face a tough schedule to close out the 2025 regular season, and this performance might be the momentum shift Green Bay needs for a deep postseason run. After going 1-5 in the division last season, sweeping the Lions already feels refreshing.
Something about late November just seems to bring out the best in Jordan Love. Maybe Toytathon isn’t just a meme, or maybe Love just really likes the holidays. He’s also played well on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Whatever the reason, Love coming alive at this point in the season is a positive omen for the rest of the season.