Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has delivered a strong message to his team ahead of their Thanksgiving clash with the Green Bay Packers: contain Micah Parsons at all costs. The star defensive end/linebacker has been a game-changer for Green Bay throughout the season, and Detroit knows firsthand how dangerous he can be after their Week 1 loss.
Campbell Highlights Importance of Stopping Parsons
The Lions host the Packers this Thursday in their traditional holiday matchup, and Campbell emphasized that the battle between Detroit’s offensive line and Parsons will be one of the biggest keys to victory. Speaking in a team-produced video on Tuesday, Campbell broke down exactly what makes Parsons elite.
“We know he’s a dynamic player, he’s a dynamic rusher,” Campbell said. “This guy plays hard, he’s got a quick first step, he’s powerful, he’s quick.”
Campbell pointed to a standout clip from the Packers’ 35–25 win over the Steelers on Oct. 26, where Parsons fought through multiple blockers to sack Aaron Rodgers. The Lions coach detailed how the star defender beat a tight end, a tackle, and a guard — all on the same play.
“If you’re going to use that many resources, you have to stop this guy,” Campbell added. “And he’ll just keep coming.”
Parsons’ Dominant Season Continues
Even when heavily targeted by opposing protections, Parsons continues to produce. In the Steelers game referenced by Campbell, he posted:
1 tackle
1 sack
1 tackle for loss
1 quarterback hit
All of it recorded in one sequence.
Through 11 games this season, Parsons has totaled:
30 tackles
10 sacks
1 forced fumble
He’s now only four sacks away from matching his career-high.
Lions Know the Stakes Are High
In the Week 1 matchup, the Packers defeated the Lions 27–13, with Parsons once again registering a sack, a tackle for loss, and a QB hit. Detroit is determined not to let history repeat itself.
With the Chicago Bears (8–3) sitting atop the NFC North, both Detroit and Green Bay are under pressure. A Thanksgiving loss would make the divisional race far more difficult for either team.
