The Green Bay Packers were defeated by the Detroit Lions in the Week 14 opener on “Thursday Night Football” from Ford Field.
The Packers came back from a 17-7 deficit and held leads of 21-17 and 28-24 in the second half, but a big effort from Josh Jacobs in the red zone, the run defense against two superior backs and passes The second half game was not enough for Matt LaFleur’s team to defeat the powerful Lions on the road.
Here are five stats to know from the Packers’ prime-time loss to the Lions:
21: The number of “stops” against the run by the Packers defense, by far a season high, according to PFF. A “stop” is defined as a tackle that creates a failure for the offense. Kenny Clark and Quay Walker both made five running saves. The Lions averaged just 3.3 yards per attempt and forced just two missed tackles in the ground game. The Packers have been an elite run defense over the last three games – a good sign heading into December and January football.
Kenny Clark was great last night against DET OL. Most of the top 7 played well against the run. DL was tough, LBs were quick, safeties filled in aggressively from deep. Many beautiful things in the cinema
The Lions had 23 rushing attempts for 3 yards or less – most this season… pic.twitter.com/wqSUt2BfXk
– Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) December 7, 2024
14 for 17: Jared Goff targets breaking routes, according to Next Gen Stats. His 14 completions resulted in 152 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Lions tore apart the Packers defense with dig routes. Often forced to blitz inside the linebackers, the Packers left huge coverage gaps in the middle of the field and the Lions took advantage again and again. Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson and Quay Walker were charged with giving up 16 completions.
Jared Goff completed 14 of 17 for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns targeting breaking routes against the Packers.
Goff currently leads the NFL with 1,534 passing yards targeting breaking routes this season, 224 more than the next closest quarterback.#GBvsDET | #APride pic.twitter.com/5n9CkwXx1n
– Next Generation Statistics (@NextGenStats) December 6, 2024
9 for 13: After starting 3 of 7 for just 31 yards in the first half, Packers quarterback Jordan Love caught fire in the second half, completing 9 of 13 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown. His completions included a 59-yarder to Christian Watson, a 29-yarder to Watson, a 26-yarder to Dontayvion Wicks and a 21-yarder to Tucker Kraft. A second touchdown pass was negated by a questionable OPI penalty.
37.5% to 22.5%: Jordan Love was under pressure on 37.5 percent of his dropbacks, while Jared Goff was under pressure on only 22.5 percent of his, according to Next Gen Stats. The injury-ravaged Lions were particularly effective early on, and the Packers struggled to block blitzes. It was a disappointing effort from the Packers offensive line. Goff, meanwhile, threw two touchdown passes under pressure.
❤️ on the 💰 pic.twitter.com/aV738tOxIw
– NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2024
80.1: “Kenny Clark’s overall PFF grade, best of season”. He’s finally recovered from a nagging toe injury, so perhaps his best football of the season is still ahead of him. Clark dominated against the run and hurried as a passer.
Kenny Clark looked like his old self last night. pic.twitter.com/0m4zHYMQMG
–Brandon Carwile (@BCarwile_NFL) December 6, 2024
Decisive statistic: 4 for 5, or Lions conversions on fourth down. Detroit scored two touchdowns on fourth down, including one on 4th and 2 before halftime and another on 4th and 3 to regain the lead in the third quarter. The Packers got a big stop (leading to a touchdown), but the Lions’ aggression – and their execution on fourth down – ended up deciding the game.
