Another one bites the dust.
The injury-ravaged Detroit Lions — with a league-high 18 injured players — dispatched the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night, earning their franchise-best 11th straight victory of the season. In doing so, Dan Campbell’s team swept the season series against their NFC North rivals from Madison, Wisconsin, and improved to 4-0 on the campaign against their division opponents.
It was far from easy for Detroit’s hodgepodge of defenders against Jordan Love and the Packers, who had won three in a row heading into Week 14’s divisional showdown.
The Lions, who were without defensive linemen Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Paschal and DJ Reader for the prime-time contest, had to rely on several players making their team debuts. That included linebackers Kwon Alexander, formerly of the Broncos, and Jamal Adams, formerly of the Titans, as well as defensive ends Jonah Williams, previously with the Rams, and Myles Adams, previously with the Seahawks.
For many NFL teams, this would have been an unenviable position, especially against a playoff team like the Packers. But not for Campbell’s brave and relentless group. This group of rejects rose to the occasion on Thursday night and delivered a valiant performance against Love & Co.
Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s unit, in fact, held the Packers to fewer than 300 yards of total offense (298) and made Love look rather pedestrian for most of the night. He consistently wreaked havoc against the second-year starter and came away with seven quarterback hits and a dual-threat passer sack. And two of those QB hits were recorded by players wearing Honolulu Blue for the first time (Myles Adams and Williams).
“Myles (Adams), Jonah (Williams), they came in on Monday, so hats off to them,” said Lions defensive end Pat O’Connor, a former practice squad player like Adams and Williams, after the match. “But it’s a great feeling knowing what we can do with the people we had today, and just to overcome a win like that is insane. It’s a tip of the hat for us to because of the “next man up,” and that’s a great feeling.
Glenn’s defense also held Packers running back Josh Jacobs in check for most of the night. Although the former Raiders fullback racked up three touchdowns, he was held to just 3.7 yards per carry. Overall, it was a gutsy performance from Detroit’s injury-plagued defense.
Meanwhile, on the offensive side of the ball, the Lions produced their typical, solid, all-around effort. And the key to it all was the man who “stirs the drink” for the offense every week, quarterback Jared Goff.
The veteran signal-caller threw an interception early in the third quarter that led to a Green Bay score on the ensuing drive. However, after this error it installed immediately. In fact, he immediately rebounded on the next possession, leading the Lions on a 13-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that helped Campbell’s team regain the lead (24-21). He capped the 6:13 stretch with his first of two touchdown passes to wideout Tim Patrick.
Campbell couldn’t speak highly enough of the former Broncos receiver after the game.
“What a great addition he has been,” Campbell said. “He just continues to make plays for us in the running game and the passing game, he’s stepped up here. Today we’re talking about grabbing and stabbing. Grab, turn and run. Grab it, pull it, turn and run. Do anything – if you can only get five, you have to get a six. If you can only get a seven, you have to give us an eight. And man, I mean, he’s done that a few times, and then he gives us two big touchdowns. He has been an incredible addition, what a stud.
For Goff, the most impressive thing he did Thursday happened in the fourth quarter. He completed all 10 of his passes, tying the most attempts he’s ever had in a quarter without a single miss. And in doing so, he threw for 106 yards and guided the Lions on two scoring drives, and especially the game-winning drive of the night (capped by a 35-yard field goal from Jake Bates). It was yet another masterful display from Detroit’s franchise passer. He finished the divisional tilt with 283 yards, three touchdown passes (two on fourth down in the red zone) and a QBR of 90.9.
Goff also played a role in the fourth-down conversion that sealed the deal for the Lions.
With 0:43 left and at the Packers’ 21-yard line, Goff & Co. faced a fourth-and-1, with the game tied at 31. In this situation, many coaches would have opted to intervene kicker. to attempt the winning basket. Not the ultra-aggressive Campbell, though. Instead, he opted to leave his offense on the field.
On the ensuing play, a stumbling Goff handed over to David Montgomery, who took the lead seven yards and won the decisive first down. It was Detroit’s fourth successful conversion attempt of the night (out of five attempts).
“Goff had another big game, (Tim Patrick) ‘TP’ was big, (Sam) LaPorta made some big plays for us. Listen, you can go all the way, but, man, I was proud to ’em,” Campbell said of his NFC North-leading Lions after the game. “I love the fact that we just find a way, and you feel like as the narrative unfolds, we don’t. We didn’t buy any of that about where we were at No excuses and our guys knew where we were at. We don’t need to talk about toughness, we don’t need to talk about resilience, we live it and that’s what we are. . We have just proven it once again.
With their latest resilient effort, the Lions also proved once again that they are the best team in the NFC North.
The Packers and the Minnesota Vikings, currently second in the North, are not to be disdained. These are each highly relevant franchises that should land a playoff spot at some point this season. Yet neither are on the same level as Campbell’s Lions. These Lions are on the verge of reaching a Super Bowl, and the same can’t be said for Detroit’s two main competitors in the NFC North.
The Lions have a stranglehold on the division. And despite the countless number of injuries, they don’t seem about to lose control any time soon.
This article was produced by Detroit Lions On SI staff. To learn more, visit si.com/nfl/lions
