Packers: Top five performers from bye-clinching win vs. Lions

5. Blake Martinez

Blake Martinez‘s game mirrored the Packers team as a whole. He got off to a slow start and he was out of place more often than not. The Lions ran for big yardage, especially right up the middle to start the game.

Then like the rest of the team, Martinez came alive in the second half. He was active in the pass game as well as run defense. Mike Pettine used Martinez on several “A” gap blitzes to good success. Martinez came away with the Packers’ only sack of the game on one of those blitzes, aided by Za’Darius Smith on the pressure.

Then with the Lions driving and looking to pad the lead midway through the fourth quarter, Smith pressured Blough into a bad pass that Martinez picked off. The play proved to be huge as the Packers tied the game on the ensuing possession.

Martinez usually takes his fair share of criticism from Packers fans. While he is a solid tackler and good against the run, he usually lacks impact plays and isn’t a game changer. That narrative was changed just a little bit in this game. Martinez was able to give the Packers defense two plays that helped shape the game. He will finish the year with 155 tackles and as the NFL leader.

The Packers now get two weeks to relax and get healthy. They have avoided major injury all season long, but starting offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga (concussion) and Corey Linsley (back) left the game and didn’t return. That’s in addition to Jamaal Williams being unable to suit up with a shoulder injury.

Although Lucas Patrick and Jared Veldheer played well in their absence, the team would prefer to have its starters out there.