Detroit Lions run over by Green Bay Packers, fall to 0-2

Once again, the Detroit Lions could not hold an early lead as the Packers ran all over them

This time, the Detroit Lions didn’t wait until the fourth quarter to blow a double-digit lead. Their banged-up, toothless, and mistake-prone roster made sure to get that out of the way early.

The Lions lost a 14-3 first-quarter lead after the Green Packers scored 31 straight points in a 42-21 blowout win at Lambeau Field on Sunday. It’s the second week in a row that the Lions could not hold onto a sizable lead against a divisional foe.

Packers tailback Aaron Jones totaled 236 yards and scored three touchdowns in a dominant performance. The Lions’ defense was gashed for 259 rushing yards, the most they have given up since December of 2013.

The Lions have lost eight straight games inside the NFC North, and are just 2-12 against their divisional opponents under head coach Matt Patricia. At 0-2, they are already two games behind the 2-0 Packers and are in danger of falling out of contention before October.

Detroit scored on its opening drive thanks to a punishing series of runs by Kerryon Johnson, and he plunged into the endzone from a yard out for an early Lions 7-0 advantage.

They followed that up with another extended drive culminating with a 4-yard touchdown grab by wideout Marvin Jones. It was Jones’ eighth career touchdown against the Packers, and it gave the Lions a 14-3 lead after one quarter.

Two penalties on cornerback Amani Oruwariye helped the Packers score on a seven-yard touchdown catch by Jones on their next possession.

After the Lions finally forced a Packers punt in the second quarter, Green Bay got the ball back with just over a minute left in the first half. A pair of careless penalties by safety Will Harris allowed Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to find tight end Robert Tonyan for a touchdown right before halftime, giving the Packers a 17-14 lead at the break.

The Packers wasted no time building their lead, as Jones bolted for a 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second half. But it didn’t stop there.

After a senseless penalty by punt-returner Jamal Agnew for blocking a player after signaling for a fair catch, the Lions started at their own five-yard line. Matthew Stafford promptly threw directly to Packers cornerback Chandon Sullivan, who brought it back for a score, and a 31-14 lead.

Jones would add his third score in the last frame to account for the final margin.

Stafford finished 20/33 for 244 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick for the Lions. Rodgers went 18/30 for 240 yards and two scores for Green Bay.

The Lions played without several injured starters including receiver Kenny Golladay and cornerbacks Justin Coleman and Desmond Trufant.

Rookie cornerback Jeff Okudah made his NFL debut for the Lions and struggled against the Packers’ receiving corps.

The Detroit Lions will search for their first win when they travel to face the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday, September 27 at 4:25 EDT.