Green Bay, WI – The Lions didn’t have Calvin Johnson. There you go Lion fans everywhere, there’s your excuse. Nonetheless, the Green Bay Packers’ defense was more than impressive on Sunday afternoon’s game at Lambeau Field. The classic NFC North battle between the 3-1 Detroit Lions and the 1-2 Green Bay Packers that was slated to be a shoot-out, turned into a defensive contest that the Packers were able to win. The victory was the Packers’ 23rd in a row at home against their division rival.
Both offenses struggled in the first half, tallying nine points between them. James Jones was the only Packer to find the end zone on a 83-yard catch & run late in the third quarter. Mason Crosby continued his hot start in the game, making all five of his field goal attempts. Aaron Rodgers overcame a poor first half and finished 20/30 for 274 yards and a TD. Eddie Lacy also had a productive day, tallying 99-yards on 23 carries, almost becoming the Packers’ third 100-yard rusher in a row.
The Lions struggled mightily without their top weapon on offense, only scoring nine points (Six, when the game had already been decided) and producing only 286 total yards. Reggie Bush, who has been very explosive up until Sunday, was held to just 44-yards rushing on 13 carries and four receptions for 25-yards. The Lions struggled to protect quarterback Matthew Stafford throughout the day, allowing five sacks; two were made by Nick Perry who had his first career two-sack game.
Game Notes: Packers’ OLB Clay Matthews left the contest after sacking Matthew Stafford with a broken thumb, and is expected to miss the next month for the Packers. Randall Cobb became only the second player to have a 60+ yard run, 60+yard reception, 100+ yard kickoff return, and an 80+ yard punt return in his first three seasons.
The Packers will play the defending Super-Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens next Sunday in Baltimore. The game will start at 1:00pm EST and be sure to tune into 98.3 WRUP for all of your Green Bay Packers action. GO PACK GO!
-Carl Leander Johnson