Packers/Lions review
Survive and advance. The Packers jumped out to a 31-3 first half lead yesterday at Lambeau Field, but had to hold on for a 34-27 win. Green Bay held on for dear life as it was missing four defensive starters. The Green and Gold had to pick up a pair of first downs on their final drive to seal the game. Aaron Rodgers returned to old form, throwing for 205 yards and four touchdowns (all in the first half). He also snapped a 14-game streak of not having a 100+ quarterback rating, as he had a 129.3 rating. In my preview, I said that Green Bay needed to run Eddie Lacy more. Ask and I shall receive. I said Lacy should run 20-25 times, but I’ll take the 17 carries for the big running back for 103 yards. Jordy Nelson is also getting closer and closer to full strength, catching six passes out of his seven targets for 101 yards and a pair of touchdowns. It was a nail biter in the second half, but Green Bay did just enough to survive with the injuries to get to the bye week at 2-1.
I know Detroit’s defense is really bad, especially without Ezekiel Ansah and DeAndre Levy, but it was nice to see Rodgers play like he did a few years ago. The former NFL Most Valuable Player completed 15-of-24 passes for 205 yards and the four touchdowns. I mentioned he broke his long streak of a quarterback rating of less than 100. He also had 8.5 yards per attempt after having a yards per attempt of below six in each of his first two games. Yes, I realize it was against the Lions, but it proves he is still one of the best in the league. His second touchdown to Nelson was a thing of beauty. He dropped it in perfectly in the end zone on a third down from the 17 to give the Packers a commanding 31-3 lead. Fortunately, he did not need to throw it 40 times since Lacy gained more than 100 yards. Rodgers also made the biggest play of the game. On a 3rd-and-8 from their own 27 with a little more than three minutes to play, the Packers needed to make a play to keep the ball from the red-hot Lions offense. Rodgers went back to pass and had all day to throw, but could not find an open receiver. Then, he found open grass in front of him and ran for 11 yards and a first down. Two plays later, the Packers picked up a game-clinching first down.
It was great to get Lacy more involved. He still has yet to score a touchdown this year, but he did reach the century mark in rushing. After having an average of 13 carries per week in the first two, he carried the rock 17 times. He averaged a solid 4.3 yards per rush in his first two game, but broke out in this one, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Of the running backs with at least 40 carries, only three running backs have a higher average than Lacy. The touchdowns will come. The offense still is not clicking on all cylinders. When it does, Lacy will be more of a threat to find the end zone.
The defense overall struggled yesterday, as many thought it would with so many starters out. Matthew Stafford threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns, but had one interception. Damarious Randall was beaten badly again. Last week, he was the main cornerback covering Stefon Diggs. This week, it was Marvin Jones that beat him constantly. Jones had six catches for 205 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Even though the pass defense is struggling, one positive is the run defense. Detroit was held to just 50 yards on 23 carries after running for 253 yards and averaging 5.6 yard per carry in the first two games. In the first three games, the Packers are averaging giving up 42.7 rush yards per game and just 1.8 yards per carry. The run defense played well, despite not having Guion and Matthews. Pass defense needs to be better, and it will when Burnett and Shields get healthy.
Green Bay needs this bye in the worst way. Normally, having a bye week in week four is not ideal. But in this case, it works out perfectly. Green Bay played without five main players (four starters) against Detroit. Shields might not be back for the game against New York in two weeks, but the others should be good to go. For everything that has gone wrong so far in the first three weeks, I am sure the Packers will take a 2-1 start.
