Lions vs Packers: Turnovers the difference in Detroit’s first divisional win
The Detroit Lions had quite a daunting task ahead of them on Sunday as they tried to defeat the Green Bay Packers following a dismal 1-3 start.
The Detroit Lions dreaded NFC North rival, the Green Bay Packers, made their way to Ford Field for Sunday’s early must-win matchup for the home team. Kickoff was set for 1:00 pm Eastern time as the Lions looked to earn a victory in their first division game of this season.
First Quarter
Detroit received the opening kickoff and Ameer Abdullah (active for the first time this season) fielded the ball. On the game’s first snap, Matthew Stafford missed on his first pass to Marvin Jones. On the second snap, Kerryon Johnson gained 14 yards on the ground for the first down.
On 3rd & 1, LeGarrette Blount got the nod to convert the first down for the Lions. Later in the drive, Stafford hit Kenny Golladay for a beautiful 47-yard scoring strike that was immediately nullified by an unfortunate penalty on rookie lineman Frank Ragnow.
Detroit was backed up to 3rd & 21 and they played it safe by handing it off to Johnson but interestingly, on the ensuing punt, the ball was ruled to have bounced off of a Packer with Detroit regaining possession at their opponent’s 1-yard line.
Green Bay challenged the call but the play stood as it was originally called and Detroit took over at the 1-yard line. Blount got the call on 1st & goal and Detroit scored the game’s first touchdown during an extremely unorthodox first series, 7-0 Detroit.
During the kickoff, the Packers’ Ty Mongomery had a huge return wiped out by a holding penalty. Shortly thereafter, Lion rookie Teez Tabor found himself hit with a penalty of his own that gave Green Bay an automatic first down.
On 3rd & 4, Aaron Rodgers impressively escaped Detroit’s pass rush and ran (on a gimpy knee) for the Green Bay first down. On the subsequent 3rd & 7 play, however, Detroit’s defense denied the Rodgers pass attempt and right afterward, Green Bay’s kicker, Mason Crosby missed on a 41-yard field goal and the score remained in Detroit’s favor.
Just as he’s done all season, Kenny Golladay flashed his athleticism during Detroit’s third offensive series and extended for a beautiful 60-yard catch-and-run to put Detroit in the red zone. Two plays later, Blount powered his way into the end zone for his second score of the day, 14-0 Detroit.
On a 3rd & 7 play, a fleeing Rodgers was caught from behind by Romeo Okwara who forced a strip sack fumble that was then recovered by Devon Kennard.