Packers: Five standout performances from Week 14 win vs. Lions
By Jesse Fry
Top performers from Packers’ Week 14 win versus Lions.
For the second straight year, the Green Bay Packers are kings in the north and now control their own destiny for the top seed in the playoffs.
Sunday’s victory over the Detroit Lions was so much more than just win number 10. With the Minnesota Vikings’ loss earlier in the day, the Packers clinched the NFC North.
Meanwhile over in Philadelphia, the New Orleans Saints were upset by the very same team Green Bay throttled the week before, giving the Packers the lead in the race for the number one seed by way of their Week 3 win.
Yes, Sunday was a good day for Packers fans.
The game wasn’t smooth sailing for the Pack as a special teams miscue late in the fourth quarter gave the Lions some life. A big 71-yard return gave the Lions a chance to get back within striking distance after the Packers went up by 10 points.
Who knows what would have happened if quarterback Matthew Stafford would have been able to stay in the game after suffering a rib injury.
The game felt like it shouldn’t have been that close. After going into the half with a 14-14 tie, Green Bay came out and dominated the start of the second half putting together two scoring drives totaling over 16 minutes of time and garnering a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.
The Lions just wouldn’t go away. Detroit battled back with a touchdown of their own though lost Stafford on a quarterback scramble when he bent awkwardly with Kenny Clark landing on top of him.
The Packers answered with a clutch 57-yard field goal from Mason Crosby. Then came the big return from Jamal Agnew allowing the Lions to pull within seven points.
There was a little bit of luck involved as a possible Marvin Jones touchdown catch was ruled incomplete and the ensuing onside kick could’ve gone either way after review. After the two close calls, the offense was able to close out the game.
It was a tough, close game, but these five players ensured the Packers came home with the win and the division crown.