Matt Prater Suprised Everybody Today By Tossing His First Career Touchdown Pass In A 31-0 Detroit Lions Shutout Win At Lambeau Field.
First Quarter
Detroit won the toss today and elected to receive in an attempt to get an early lead at Lambeau Field. That was to no effect though as neither team was able to do anything on their first two drives. Four punts in four drives were highlighted by only a sack by linebacker Jarrad Davis to Aaron Rodgers. Defensive end Romeo Okwara came in on that sack and ended up knocking the helmet clean off of Rodgers’ head, forcing him to leave the game and not return with a concussion.
After a field position battle for most of the first quarter, the scoring finally started with a 6-yard touchdown catch by wide receiver TJ Jones which made it 7-0 Lions. The Drive was only 56-yards long and concluded with about three minutes to go in the opening quarter. Detroit would take their seven-point lead into the second quarter.
Second Quarter
The second quarter started out with a pretty big shocker for both sides. Detroit took a possession into the quarter and worked their way deep into Green Bay territory. They appeared ready to settle for a field goal but all of a sudden kicker Matt Prater chucked a dime over the shoulder of tight end Levine Toilolo for an 8-yard touchdown pass, the first of Prater’s career. That trick play put the Lions up 14-0 shortly into the second quarter.
Rodgers was replaced by quarterback DeShone Kizer in the second quarter. Detroit would pad its lead with a 13-yard touchdown run by running back Zach Zenner with a minute to go in the half. That score made it a 21-0 game. Detroit was able to outscore Green Bay 45-0 in the first half of their two games this season, which was long overdue.
Third Quarter
Green Bay started with the ball in the second half and managed a first down before they were abruptly stopped. Defensive end Kerry Hyder came up with a sack on third down to force the punt by Green Bay. It was nice to see Hyder come up with a big play, as he’s really been a forgotten name on this Detroit Lions defense.
The lone points of the quarter came via a 43-yard Prater field goal which made it 24-0 Detroit going into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
Quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with Jones again for a 23-yard touchdown pass to pad the lead halfway through the quarter. It was their second touchdown connection of the day and made it 31-0 Detroit.
The Lions went into the fourth quarter with a chance to shut out the Packers on the road for the first time since 1970. Green Bay was not content to break up the shutout with three points. They attempted multiple fourth downs inside of field goal range in the fourth quarter. Safety Quandre Diggs even hauled in an interception to help the effort. Ultimately the Lions would do it. Their first shutout of the Packers since 1973 and the teams first at Lambeau Field since 1970.
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