Detroit Lions 19, Green Bay Packers 7: GB offense falls flat
Aaron Rodgers drops back to pass during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports photograph
First half
The Packers and Lions were ready to score and everyone expected them to score today in their matchup at Ford Field. Then the defenses showed up.
The Packers and Lions did battle once again at Ford Field, with the Lions heading to the locker room with a 12-7 halftime lead – a first half highlighted by a safety, solid tackling, good pass rushes and many three and outs.
When Eddie Lacy fumbled on the Packers’ second play of their first series it was returned by Don Carey 40 yards for a touchdown as the Lions took a quick 7-0 lead.
The Packers defense in the first quarter was stout, holding the Lions and forcing them into 3 and outs. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix intercepted Matthew Stafford on one drive and on the first drive of the second quarter, Davon House intercepted a pass intended for Calvin Johnson.
However, the next play for the Packers offense from the half-yard line was a predictable run play that was stuffed by the Lions for a safety that gave the Lions a 9-7 lead.
McCarthy on the safety: Momentum swing back to Detroit -- big play in the game. #GBvsDET
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 21, 2014
Stafford then led the Lions on their next possession on a nine-play drive that was stuffed on third down in the red zone – forcing the Lions to kick a field goal.
Lions 12 Packers 7
On the Packers next possession they got two big first downs to move into Lions territory, then on 3rd and 11, from he lions 38, Rodgers was sacked when he held the ball just a bit too long.
The Packers were forced to punt with 2 minutes left.
Lions took possession on the 10 and used a short passing and run game as the clock ran down inside 20 seconds when Stafford threw long down the left sideline to Corey Fuller, who beat Sam Shields for 52 yards.
With 8 seconds left, Stafford, from the 23 yard line threw the ball through the end zone to set up a 41 yard field goal attempt.
He missed it to the left.
Lions 12 Packers 7
Packers get the ball at the start of the second half.
| CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R. Bush | 12 | 61 | 5.1 | 1 | 26 |
| J. Bell | 15 | 33 | 2.2 | 0 | 5 |
| T. Riddick | 3 | 16 | 5.3 | 0 | 6 |
| M. Stafford | 6 | 8 | 1.3 | 0 | 5 |
| J. Collins | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 2 |
| J. Ross | 1 | -5 | -5.0 | 0 | -5 |
| Totals | 38 | 115 | 3.0 | 1 | 26 |
| REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG | TGTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C. Johnson | 6 | 82 | 13.7 | 0 | 26 | 9 |
| C. Fuller | 1 | 52 | 52.0 | 0 | 52 | 1 |
| G. Tate | 5 | 51 | 10.2 | 0 | 17 | 7 |
| R. Bush | 6 | 38 | 6.3 | 0 | 15 | 8 |
| J. Ross | 3 | 20 | 6.7 | 0 | 8 | 3 |
| J. Fauria | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| B. Pettigrew | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| E. Ebron | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Totals | 22 | 246 | 11.2 | 0 | 52 | 32 |