The Detroit Lions Won On Sunday Thanks In Large Part To The Packers Special Teams.
First Quarter
The Detroit Lions caught a big break right at the start of this game when a Sam Martin punt bounced off of a Green Bay Packer and was recovered by the Lions at the one-yard line. From there, LeGarrette Blount was able to score a one-yard rushing touchdown.
The Packers answered with an efficient 13-play 65-yard drive that finally stalled at the Detroit 23 yard line. From there, kicker Mason Crosby attempted a 41-yard field goal, but he missed it wide left.
Detroit only needed four plays to score another touchdown, thanks in large part to a 60-yard pass from Matthew Stafford to Kenny Golladay. This set-up Blount’s second one-yard touchdown run of the opening quarter.
The Lions defense quickly punched Green Bay in the mouth right after that when Romeo Okwara strip-sacked Aaron Rodgers leading to a Detroit takeaway.
Score: Lions lead 14-0
Second Quarter
Off of the fumble recovery to end the second quarter, Detroit kicked a 39-yard field goal to make it a three-possession game.
Shortly before halftime, the Lions defense forced another turnover when Da’Shawn Hand sacked Rodgers, forcing a fumble. Detroit’s offense took advantage and Stafford threw an 8-yard touchdown to Marvin Jones with 15 seconds left in the half.
Score: Lions lead 24-0
Third Quarter
Green Bay started the 3rd quarter hot, marching right down the field. The drive ended with Packer success when Rodgers threw a 3-yard touchdown to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, then converted a two-point conversion to make the score 24-8.
After Matt Prater missed a Lions field goal, the Packers were again able to mount a touchdown drive, this time off of a 1-yard catch by Lance Kendricks. The Packers then failed a two-point attempt.
Score: Lions lead 24-14
Fourth Quarter
The Lion offense came out strong in the fourth going 75 yards in just 8 plays. A 24-yard Kerryon Johnson run put the Lions into the red zone where Stafford threw his second touchdown pass to Golladay.
The Packers came right back though, with Rodgers and Davante Adams connecting for a 12-yard touchdown.
Now, down by 11, the Packers had the ball again most of the way through the quarter. With 3:40 left, Crosby missed a field goal, failing to cut the Lions lead to one possession. This essentially sealed the game for Detroit.
Score: Lions win 31-23
Key Stats
Mason Crosby missed 5 kicks
Crosby missed four field goals and an extra point. He single-handedly cost the Packers 13 points in what ended up being an eight point game.
Detroit won the turnover battle 3 to 0
The Lions forced to fumbles from Rodgers and recovered a muffed punt. Taking the ball away three times while not giving it away once was huge for Detroit.
The Lions scored touchdowns on all four red zone drives
Coming into the game, the Lions had the worst red zone offense in the NFL. It finally came together on Sunday when the scored touchdowns on all of their red zone trips.
The Detroit defensive front sacked Aaron Rodgers four times
The Lions defense was able to muster some pressure on Aaron Rodgers. Devon Kennard, Okwara and Hand have all show good ability to get to opposing quarterbacks.
The Lions defense game up 521 total yards
While the Lions did win this game, their defense gave up a ton of yards. This defense is clearly still adjusting to the new scheme, along with lacking talent at all levels. Detroit will not win many games when they give up this many yards.
Plays Of The Game
Kenny Golladay’s 60-yard reception
https://streamable.com/i1cbd
Romeo Okwara’s strip sack
https://streamable.com/kk0ns
Marvin Jones’s touchdown reception
https://streamable.com/ppm4k
Lions Player Of The Game
Romeo Okwara is this weeks Lions player of the game. On Sunday, the recently acquired defensive end racked up three tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, and another three quarterback hits. Okwara was consistently in Rodgers’s face and has been very good filling in for Ziggy Ansah in each of the last two games.
If Okwara can keep up his current production he will be a very good defensive end for the Lions this season. He has now recorded 3 sacks in the last 2 games and looks to easily be the most disruptive player in the Lions front seven at the moment.
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