If there was ever a game where the final score was not very indicative of what took place on the field, it was the Detroit Lions' 34-20 win over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. The Lions jumped out to a 27-3 halftime lead, outgaining the Packers 284-20.
The Packers second touchdown came after a 44-yard completion when the third quarter clock was clearly expired. Green Bay kicked a meaningless field goal with less than three minutes to go to make the final margin 14 points, as head coach Matt LaFleur continues to struggle with scoring math and what makes sense to do when time and number of possessions is a factor (see 2021 NFC Championship Game). But LaFleur was so mad about his team being beaten as soundly as it was, at halftime and after the game, that perhaps his brain wasn't functioning fully. Losing by 14 instead of 17 did not matter, and if did matter in the locker room he has a soft team.
But that is the effect this Lions' team is having on opponents. They close out opponents with decisive fourth quarter drives, imposing their will while taking the other team's will away. The Packers probably thought they had a chance when the score was 27-17...then the Lions went on a 14-play, 75-yard drive, taking up close to nine minutes of the fourth quarter. The drive being finished by David Montgomery's third touchdown of the game was absolutely appropriate.
After the big win over the Packers, here are the five biggest takeaways for the Lions from Week 4.