A chance to take over first place in the NFC North slipped away from the Green Bay Packers at a rainy Lambeau Field on Sunday. The Detroit Lions scored 24 straight points and cruised to a 24-14 win over the Packers, which extended the Lions’ win streak to six games and sent the Packers to a 6-3 record entering the bye week.
Winning big games in the NFL is difficult, and the task is made so much more difficult when self-inflicted mistakes are factored into the equation. The Packers’ proclivity for penalties, drops and interceptions again showed up Sunday, and the Lions took full advantage, scoring a big road win inside the division.
Here are three things that stood out from the Packers’ loss to the Lions:
Drops in huge spots
The Packers not only dropped at least a half dozen passes, but the drops came in big moments. On the first drive, running back Chris Brooks had a chance to extend the drive in the red zone but dropped a pass underneath. Later in the first half, Tucker Kraft couldn’t finish a catch on third down before Brandon McManus’ missed field goal. Dontayvion Wicks had a drop on third down ending the Packers’ first drive of the second half and a drop in the end zone before a fourth-down failure. How many points did the Packers leave on the field Sunday because they couldn’t make a catch in a big spot?
Failure to take advantage
The Packers missed opportunity after opportunity. Josh Jacobs delivered a 37-yard run in the first half but a penalty on third down killed the promising drive in Lions territory. Brian Branch’s illegal hit and meltdown gifted the Packers 30 yards, but Brandon McManus missed a field goal after a third-down drop. Jayden Reed had three catches of 25 or more yards, all on different drives, but the Packers managed only three total points after the explosive plays. In the NFL, mistakes often compound — and every missed opportunity has a chance to have a big impact on the final result. The Packers will watch the tape Monday and kick themselves for all the chances they had to take control or get back into the game.
Situational struggles
The Packers scored one touchdown on four red zone trips, finished 3-for-12 on third down and gave up a pair of touchdowns on fourth down. The Lions mostly dominated the contest situationally. Green Bay managed only six points on their first three trips inside the red zone. They punted after the Lions’ first touchdown of the first half and first touchdown of the second half. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught a touchdown on fourth down from the 3-yard line, and Jahmyr Gibbs made easy work of the Packers’ run defense on 4th-and-1 to open the second half. The Packers did have a third-down sack, but the defense didn’t produce a takeaway. When a big play was needed, the Lions were the team that produced more consistently.
Weather only mattered to one team
The Lions, a dome team, played a mostly mistake-free game in the rain despite Sunday representing their first game played outdoors all season. The Packers, meanwhile, shrunk in adverse weather conditions. Matt LaFleur’s team dropped passes, had a poor exchange on a handoff and dealt with at least 3-4 erratic snaps. Playing in poor weather can test the character and mental toughness of a football team, and the Packers languished in the heavy rain. Both teams had to play under the same conditions Sunday — only one team rose to the occasion.