Packers: Top five performers from bye-clinching win vs. Lions
By Jesse Fry
It was another come-from-behind, ugly victory for the Green Bay Packers. But the Packers secured a first-round bye and a division sweep. These five players were the ones to ensure that happened.
It was a tale of two halves for the Packers against the Lions on Sunday. The team looked stuck in neutral as they played flat throughout the first half of the game.
Aaron Rodgers looked off most of the day, but the first half in particular was downright dreadful for the Packers’ two-time MVP. Rodgers couldn’t seem to find a rhythm and was a touch off on many pass plays, overthrowing receivers all game long.
Mike Pettine’s unit didn’t fare much better. After showing massive improvement in run defense in recent weeks, the middle of the defense was gashed for big gains.
The defense gave up an inexcusable field goal at the end of the first half after the Packers got their first points of the game. With 20 seconds left to go, the Lions looked like they were just going to run a give-up play and head into halftime with an 11-point lead. Then Ty Johnson took the handoff right up the middle for 40 yards, putting the Lions in field goal range. From there, the Lions would add three more points making it a 14-point lead again.
After the half, the Packers turned it on. The offense picked up the tempo while the defense got back to shutting down the opposing team. If not for a 30-yard pass interference, the Lions may have not mustered any points at all in the second half.
Two long touchdown passes by Rodgers turned the tide and the scoreboard. Although the Packers would not have a lead in the game until the end.
A win is a win and the Packers should be happy with where they’re at. But they won’t be able to play this way and win in the playoffs. Still, this Packers team keeps finding a way to win. With a bye and a game guaranteed at Lambeau, the Packers have a clear path and only two games to get to the Super Bowl.
These five players helped get the Packers the division sweep and a first-round bye.