Rapid rewind: Lions play poised in steady rain, overcome Branch ejection, to pummel sloppy Packers
Rapid rewind: Lions play poised in steady rain, overcome Branch ejection, to pummel sloppy Packers
Green Bay — The Detroit Lions were able to overcome the second-quarter ejection of star safety Brian Branch, happily taking advantage of multiple miscues by the Green Bay Packers in a 24-14 win at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
In a steady rain that lasted from kickoff to final whistle, the Lions (7-1) proved far more capable of executing in the inclement conditions. The Packers, meanwhile, dropped multiple passes on third down — including one in the end zone — fumbled in the red zone twice, and threw a costly interception in the closing seconds of the opening half that Lions safety Kerby Joseph returned for a touchdown.
Detroit, which had not played an outdoor game this season, looked comfortable in the sloppy conditions, scoring on three of their first four possessions, in addition to Joseph’s pick-six, building a 24-3 lead early in the third quarter.
The Branch ejection came midway in the second frame, when the Lions held a modest 7-3 lead. The second-year defender was initially flagged for unnecessary roughness for leading with his helmet on a hit to Packers receiver Bo Melton, but a disqualification directive was handed down by the league moments later.
Branch was assessed an additional 15-yard penalty for flipping off the Lambeau crowd as he left the field. Despite the 30 yards of infractions, the Packers (6-3) proved unable to come away with points, missing a field goal at the end of the series.
Five minutes later, Joseph crossed the goal line to push the Lions’ lead to 14 just before halftime.
Game ball
Joseph continued his outstanding play this season, matching the league lead with his sixth interception of the season.
Scoring summary
First quarter
● 7:06 — With some sloppy play to match the rainy conditions, the Packers took the opening kickoff and drove 63 yards on 14 plays before stalling in the red zone. On third-and-5 from the 12-yard line, the Lions sent two linebackers and nickel corner Amik Robertson on the blitz, dropping edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad into coverage. Jordan Love had running back Chris Brooks open across the middle, but the throw was behind the target, resulting in an incompletion and a 30-yard field goal for Brandon McManus. PACKERS 3, LIONS 0
Second quarter
● 14:56 — The Lions moved swiftly into Packers territory behind a balanced attack of David Montgomery carries and play-action passes. But once in the red zone, the Packers stuffed three straight handoffs to the back. On fourth-and-goal from the 5, the Lions drew the Packers offside, halving the distance, before quarterback Jared Goff found Amon-Ra St. Brown on a stop-and-go, back-shoulder ball out of motion. LIONS 7, PACKERS 3
● 0:58 — Taking over after a missed field goal, the Lions immediately moved across midfield with a 26-yard toss to St. Brown. They pushed into the red zone before Goff was forced to throw the ball away under duress on third-and-goal from the 9-yard line, leaving Jake Bates to punch in a short field goal from 29 yards out. LIONS 10, PACKERS
● 0:32 — Coming on the blitz, Joseph was able to make a leaping grab a few yards behind the scrimmage on an attempted screen pass to Jacobs. Only needing to outrun a couple offensive linemen, Joseph easily returned it 27 yards for the first touchdown of his career. LIONS 17, PACKERS 3
Third quarter
● 9:32 — Benefitting from a defensive holding call on third down that extended the possession, running back Jahmyr Gibbs took over after the penalty with four carries for 42 yards, culminating with a 15-yard scoring romp on fourth-and-1. On the handoff, right tackle Penei Sewell collapsed his side of the defensive formation, creating the lane to the end zone. LIONS 24, PACKERS 3
● 0:48 — Jayden Reed delivered a 32-yard completion on a deep crossing route, followed by a toe-tapper on third-and-1 to extend the series, but the Packers fumbled a handoff exchange and put a shotgun snap on the ground on back-to-back plays in the red zone, leaving them to settle for another McManus field goal. LIONS 24, PACKERS 6
Fourth quarter
● 3:49 — Aided by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against cornerback Amik Robertson for taunting after a third-down stop, the Packers punched it across the goal line with a 1-yard Emanuel Wilson plunge. A two-point conversion sliced Detroit’s lead to 10. LIONS 24, PACKERS 14
Turnovers
● Joseph’s pick-six in the second quarter, described in the scoring summary above.
Key stats
● Goff didn’t throw the ball much, but the QB continued his streak of high-level efficiency, completing 18-of-22 for 145 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions.
● St. Brown paced the pass-catchers, hauling in seven balls for 56 yards and the touchdown.
● Montgomery and Gibbs shared the load, combining for 28 carries for 138 yards and Gibbs’ touchdown. The pair added four receptions for 34 yards.
● Jack Campbell had a career-high 13 tackles in the win.
Notable
● St. Brown has caught a touchdown in six straight games, matching the longest streak in franchise history. Herman Moore also accomplished the feat in 1994.
● After Packers receiver Dontayvian Wicks dropped a pass in the end zone on third down, Jacobs was stuffed on fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter when DJ Reader got push on the snap, freeing up linebacker Jack Campbell to assist on a no-gain tackle with Trevor Nowaske.
Injuries
● Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Carlton Davis III and Robertson all briefly exited during the second half, but each player was able to return to action.
Inactives
The Lions had ruled out Josh Paschal, Malcolm Rodriguez, Mekhi Wingo and Sione Vaki before Sunday. Those four were joined on the inactive list by offensive linemen Christian Mahogany, Giovanni Manu and Colby Sorsdal, who were all healthy scratches.
Next game
The Lions conclude a stretch of four out of five on the road with a primetime showdown with the 6-3 Texans in Houston next Sunday at 8:20 p.m.
The Packers looked like they didn't want to be playing the Lions. Maybe Love was playing hurt, but after Branch was gone, the Lions D was virtually missing half its starters. The Pack wasn't ready for prime time and played like it. I was not impressed with Green Bay.
I attended this game with my wife and son. First Lions game since Thanksgiving game in the early 80's in the Silverdome. The conditions today were brutal. Obviously it rained, but the wind was strong and the temps stayed in the low 40's. I would say about 20% of the fans were Lions fan, and we were very vocal. The St. Brown touchdown happened right in front of us. Unbelievable body control.
And again, our punter, in the rain and wind still was able to flip the field a few times!