The Green Bay Packers have been in a position to overcome a gradual begin, however a run-down protection lacking a number of starters ran out of fuel late, and the Detroit Lions used scores on three of their final 4 possessions to flee Ford Field with a 34-31 win on Thursday night time.
Jake Bates’ 35-yard area aim as time expired ended up being the distinction.
Along the best way, the explosive Packers and aggressive Lions traded blows in an entertaining and infrequently chaotic shootout in primetime.
Here’s what went proper, what went incorrect and what it means for the Packers transferring ahead:
What went proper
— Despite a gradual begin, Jordan Love caught fireplace within the second half and was a giant motive why the Packers had an opportunity to win the sport late. He accomplished 12 passes for 206 yards, threw a third-down landing go to Tucker Kraft, didn’t have a turnover and hit each a 59-yard bomb and an unimaginable 29-yarder beneath intense strain to Christian Watson. Love was 9-of-13 passing for 175 yards within the second half.
— The Packers erased a 17-7 half-time deficit in all of three minutes and 45 seconds to begin the third quarter. Love hit Watson for 59 yards and Kraft for the third-down landing to chop the Lions’ result in 17-14, and Keisean Nixon’s interception of Jared Goff arrange a Josh Jacobs landing run that gave the Packers their first lead. It was a superb response after an unsightly first half-hour.
— Christian Watson caught 4 passes for 114 yards. He misplaced the fumble within the first half establishing a area aim, however he additionally arrange 10 factors for the Packers with explosive performs.
— Josh Jacobs helped the Packers go 4-for-5 scoring touchdowns within the pink zone. He scored 3 times inside 10 yards. He would have had a fourth landing had officers not flagged Watson for a questionable offensive go interference penalty on the Packers’ closing drive.
— The Packers run protection gave up three explosive runs however ended up permitting solely 3.3 yards per try throughout 34 rushes from the Lions. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery weren’t game-breakers on the bottom. The run protection is actually beginning to take form over the three video games.
— Love scrambled 4 instances for 23 yards, together with a 14-yarder to transform a primary down. He is trying increasingly cellular.
— Rashan Gary had a third-down sack to finish a drive, and Quay Walker produced an enormous fourth-down cease with a stuff of Gibbs.
— Defensive lineman Kenny Clark performed his finest sport of the season. He had eight tackles, together with a deal with for loss.
— Dontayvion Wicks caught a season-high 4 passes and produced three first downs. He made a catch via contact on a 26-yarder within the second half and didn’t have a drop.
What went incorrect
— The Packers protection gave up solely 5.1 yards per play however allowed conversions on 4-of-5 fourth downs and ran out of fuel whereas going through 76 performs. The Lions scored on three of their closing 4 possessions, together with a methodical landing drive after the Packers went up 28-24 and a straightforward march after the Packers tied the sport at 31.
— The Lions scored a pair of touchdowns on fourth-and-goal.
— Jared Goff was sacked solely as soon as on 42 dropbacks, and the Packers completed with solely three quarterback hits. The pass-rush wasn’t ok once more.
— The Packers began gradual, giving up a landing on the Lions’ opening drive and going punt-punt-fumble on their first three offensive possessions. Green Bay trailed 17-7 at half — the third time this season they’ve trailed the Lions or Vikings by 10 or extra after two quarters.
— Goff accomplished 32 passes, many on straightforward, well-timed screens or in-breaking dig routes to the center of the sphere.
— The Packers offense transformed solely 1-of-5 third down alternatives. The Lions, in the meantime, transformed 11 third or fourth downs. That resulted in an enormous disparity when it comes to complete performs and time of possession — a giant deal contemplating each groups have been enjoying a 3rd sport in 12 days.
— Jayden Reed dropped a second-down go within the first half and completed with zero catches and 0 touches. He performed solely 25 snaps.
— Josh Jacobs scored three touchdowns, however he averaged solely 3.7 yards per try regardless of going through largely backups within the Lions entrance seven. The Packers offensive line struggled within the run sport and have been gradual to determine Detroit’s many blitzes.
— Watson’s fumble created a misplaced possession, and Quay Walker’s 15-yard penalty arrange Detroit’s area aim on the following drive.
— Former Packer Za’Darius Smith went proper via Zach Tom to sack Love on the primary play from scrimmage. He additionally acquired away with a roughing the passer when he hit Love within the head following a throw within the first half.
What it means
The NFC North race is over for the Packers, and now it’s wildcard or bust. Matt LaFleur’s workforce remains to be in a terrific place to earn one of many three wildcard spots, and securing the No. 5 or No. 6 seed would imply occurring the street to play both the NFC South or NFC West winner within the first spherical. Not a nasty spot. While disappointing, Thursday night time’s loss confirmed the Packers can go wherever and play with the very best of the very best within the NFC. Jordan Love is enjoying at a excessive stage, and a sizzling quarterback can beat anybody. This workforce must get wholesome, stack a couple of wins over the ultimate 4 video games and earn an opportunity to return to Detroit in January.
Highlights
What’s subsequent
An opportunity to relaxation up and recuperate earlier than one other huge sport within the NFC playoff race. The Packers — who simply performed three video games in 12 days — get the mini-bye of a Thursday night time sport earlier than heading to Seattle to play the NFC West-leading Seahawks subsequent Sunday night time. Another primetime street sport in opposition to a division chief. A win in Seattle would primarily assure a playoff spot. This is a superb alternative to bounce again from a troublesome defeat and get a giant win over a playoff contender.
