By Eric Goska
 |
| Matt LaFleur's Packers have converted 77 fourth downs since 2019. (photos by Eric Goska) |
Once considered a last resort, going for it on fourth down
has gained widespread acceptance in the NFL.
That Green Bay thrice succeeded on that down while Detroit
twice failed is one reason the Packers knocked off the Lions 31-24 on
Thanksgiving Day. That two of those conversions yielded touchdowns meant the
Green and Gold never trailed as they dispatched their longtime rival for a
second time this season.
Some of the greatest names in Packers history surface when diving
into fourth downs. Sure, some lesser-knowns appear as well thanks to the
occasional trick play, but much of the heavy lifting over the years has been carried out by the
best the team had to offer.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur’s resume on fourth down is in
line with many of his predecessors. He owns the third highest conversion rate
since 1954 and trails only Mike McCarthy in total conversations.
LaFleur and his team were certainly on the money in Detroit.
Green Bay went three for three on fourth down for the third time on his watch, with
the Packers having previously beaten the Bears 41-25 in 2020 and the Saints
34-0 in 2024 when doing so.
 |
| Dontayvion Wicks converted two fourth downs with pass receptions. |
For the record, here are the three times Green Bay went for it on fourth down at Ford Field, and the two times Detroit tried and failed.
- Dontayvion Wicks accepts a 22-yard pass from Jordan Love on fourth-and-three from the Detroit 22-yard line early in the second quarter as the Packers go up 10-0.
- Romeo Doubs snags a short throw from Love on fourth-and-one from the Detroit 2 late in the same quarter as Green Bay moves in front 17-7.
- With just under two minutes remaining, Wicks clutches a 16-yard throw from Love on fourth-and-three from the Detroit 45, a catch that allows the Packers to run out the clock with a pair of kneel-downs.
- Micah Parsons greets Jahmyr Gibbs in the backfield after shedding the block of Kayode Awosika on fourth-and-three from the Green Bay 47 early in the third quarter. Isaiah McDuffie joins Parsons as the two team up to tackle the Lions running back for minus-2.
- Jameson Williams drops a short throw from Jared Goff on fourth-and-three from the Green Bay 21 early in the fourth quarter.
In honor of fourth downs, here are Packers fourth-down
records going back to 1923.
Team Records
- Most TDs one season – 7 in 1926 (Verne Lewellen 2, Cully Lidberg 1, Eddie Kotal 1, Jack Harris 1, Dick Flaherty 1, Rex Enright 1)
- Most TDs one game – 3 on Oct. 20, 1963 (Jim Taylor 2, Tom Moore 1)
Individual Records
- Most TDs career – 13 Verne Lewellen, 1924-1932
- Most TDs season – 3 Verne Lewellen, 1928; 3 Don Hutson, 1937; 3 Ted Fritsch, 1946; 3 Jim Taylor, 1962
- Most TDs game – 2 Verne Lewellen vs. Bears, Sept. 30, 1928; 2 Jim Taylor vs. Cardinals, Oct. 20, 1963
- Most Rushing TDs career – 10 Jim Taylor, 1958-1967
- Most Receiving TDs career – 8 Don Hutson, 1935-1945
- Most TD passes career – 13 Aaron Rodgers, 2005-2022
- Most TD passes season – 3 Aaron Rodgers, 2022; Jordan Love, 2023
- Most TD passes game – 2 Bart Starr vs. Browns, Sept. 18, 1966; 2 Jordan Love vs. Lions, Nov. 26, 2025
- Longest TD – 68 yards on a pass from punter Ron Widby to wide receiver Dave Davis in a 23-10 win over the Oilers in 1972.
Since 1954, Packers head coaches and their conversion rates on fourth down (min. 8 atts.)
62.34 48 of 77 Vince Lombardi 1959-1967
53.52 38 of 71 Mike Sherman 2000-2005
53.10 77 of 145 Matt LeFleur 2019-2025
52.56 41 of 78 Mike Holmgren 1992-1998
51.85 28 of 54 Lindy Infante 1988-1991
48.41 61 of 126 Bart Starr 1975-1983
47.40 91 of 192 Mike McCarthy 2006-2018
46.67 35 of 75 Lisle Blackbourn 1954-1957
43.18 19 of 44 Dan Devine 1971-1974
43.10 25 of 58 Forrest Gregg 1984-1987
40.00 10 of 25 Phil Bengtson 1968-1970
35.71 5 of 14 Scooter McLean 1958
22.22 2 of 9 Ray Rhodes 1999
No comments:
Post a Comment