The Green Bay Packers played a sloppy, mistake-filled game and fell short to the Detroit Lions 24-14 at Lambeau Field. The turning point was an interception thrown by quarterback Jordan Love just before the half that gave Detroit a 17-3 lead at the break. The loss dropped the Packers to 6-3 on the season while the Lions improved to 7-1. Here are 10 things we learned in the Packers 24-14 loss to the Lions in Week 9:
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Lions, Number One: Jordan Love Gutted It Out But Made a Costly Mistake
You have to give Love credit for trying. The Packers signal caller worked hard to get on the field and played in a game where the footing was tenuous at best. Love managed to complete 23-of-39 passes for 273 yards but he struggled at times with dropped passes and his inability to escape the rush.
He made one major mistake, and it was the turning point of the game. Late in the second quarter with the Packers trailing 10-3, Love threw up a wounded duck of a pass that was easily intercepted by Kerby Joseph and returned 27 yards for a touchdown. The Packers never really got back in the game after that.
Love still tries to force too many passes and needs to improve his judgement on when to try to make a heroic play and when to throw the ball away. This would have been a very different game if the Packers went into halftime down 10-3 as opposed to 17-3.
Number Two: Penalties Continue to Hurt the Team
The Packers had 10 penalties accepted against them in this game for 67 yards. The penalties started on the opening kickoff. Keisean Nixon returned the kick to the Green Bay 40 to give the Packers great field position, but he was called for unnecessary roughness after the play was over and the ball went back to the 25.
The Packers committed eight penalties in the first half, when the game’s outcome was still in doubt. This team continues to shoot themselves in the foot with illegal motion penalties, holding calls, jumping offsides and more.
The Packers may be able to overcome these mistakes against lesser teams, but when you’re facing elite opponents, you can’t afford to beat yourselves. The Packers did that against the Lions.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Lions, Number Three: The Defense Couldn’t Stop the Run
The Packers needed to stop the run to win this game, especially considering the windy and wet weather conditions. Unfortunately, they were unable to do so.
Both David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs ran effectively against Green Bay throughout the game. The duo combined for 138 yards on 28 carries, an average of 4.9 yards per rush.
The running game kept the Lions in manageable third down situations. When the Packers defense needed a stop in the second half, they were unable to get enough of them and the Lions were able to control the football.
The Detroit offensive line was physical and controlled the line of scrimmage for most of the game and this was costly.
Number Four: Jared Goff Had All Day to Throw
The weather conditions didn’t help, but the Green Bay defense got very little pressure on Lions quarterback Jared Goff in this game. The Packers were credited with one sack and just four quarterback hits. Rashan Gary and Arron Mosby each got credit for half a sack. Nixon and Colby Wooden had the other two quarterback hits.
With all that time to throw, Goff was extremely accurate, completing 18-of-22 passes and a touchdown. That’s an 81.8 percent completion percentage. Without getting pressure on Goff, the Packers defense couldn’t stop the passing game. The team also clearly missed Jaire Alexander and Evan Williams, who both missed the game with injuries.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Lions, Number Five: The Packers Moved the Ball But Could Not Score
The Packers had little trouble moving the football in this game, but they couldn’t turn yards into points. The Pack outgained the Lions 411 to 261 in the game. Love led the team to the red zone four times but came away with just one touchdown and that was after the game was out of reach.
The Packers also struggled on third downs, converting only 3-of-12 opportunities.
Throughout this game, the Packers moved the ball except when it mattered most.
Number Six: The Packers Got Away from the Running Game
In the first half, Josh Jacobs gained 89 yards in 10 carries. He was effective running the ball between the tackles and made defenders miss him even in close quarters. As a team, the Pack ran 13 times in the first half for 98 yards. That’s a 7.5-yard average per rush.
In the second half, Jacobs carried just three times for six yards. As a team, the Packers ran 10 times in the second half 40 yards. That’s still four yards per carry.
Yes, the Packers were trailing at the half, but with the weather conditions the way they were and the deficit only at 14 points at the break, they got away from the run a little too soon. Add Love’s limitations due to his groin injury and the Packers had more reasons to emphasize the run which worked so well early.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Lions, Number Seven: Dropped Passes Hurt the Packers
The Packers dropped at least six passes in this game. Again, the weather didn’t help, but so many catchable balls were missed and many at crucial moments.
Dontayvion Wicks continues to struggle in this area. He dropped at least two catchable balls and had no catches in this game on three targets.
Wicks was hardly alone, and these self-inflicted mistakes prevented the passing game from getting into a rhythm. It also cost them some crucial first downs and even a potential touchdown.
Number Eight: The Defense Had No Answer for Amon-Ra St. Brown
The Packers needed to slow down Amon-Ra St. Brown to contain the Lions passing game, but they never found a way. St. Brown caught seven passes on seven targets. Sure, he only gained 56 yards, but any time Goff needed a first down, he knew he could find St. Brown.
He also caught Goff’s only scoring pass in the game. Goff to St. Brown was like a machine constantly picking up key yards against the Packers.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Lions, Number Nine: The Lions Handled the Bad Weather Better than the Packers Did
The Lions are a dome team who had yet to play a game outdoors this season, let alone on natural grass. The Packers play outdoors and are more accustomed to playing in the elements. Yet, the Lions coaching staff put together a game plan more suited to the elements than the Packers did, and they executed it better.
The Packers were outplayed in their own backyard and in conditions that should have favored them. Ironically, Matt LaFleur’s team may benefit more playing indoors in Detroit in the rematch later this season.
Number Ten: Time to Regroup at the Bye
The Packers have next week off which gives them time to get healthy and regroup. The schedule gets harder now with Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, and Detroit the next four games on the schedule.
The Packers are 6-3 through nine games and are clearly contenders for a playoff spot but will need to play better and smarter football in the second half to get there. Hopefully, the team gets healthy, does some self-scouting and returns ready for some tough opponents down the stretch.