The Green Bay Packers were defeated by the Detroit Lions in the first game of Week 14 on “Thursday Night Football” at Ford Field.
The Packers came back from a 17-7 deficit and held leads of 21-17 and 28-24 in the second half, but after a great effort by Josh Jacobs in the red zone, running defense against two top defenders and passing games, the second half was not enough for Matt LaFleur’s team to overtake the mighty Lions away.
Here are five statistics from the Packers’ prime-time loss to the Lions:
21: The number of stops against the run by the Packers defense is by far the highest of the season, per PFF. A “stop” is defined as a tackle resulting in a failed attack. Kenny Clark and Quay Walker each had five stops. The Lions averaged just 3.3 yards per attempt and forced just two missed receptions in the running game. The Packers have been an elite defense in the last three games, which is a good sign for December and January.
Kenny Clark was amazing last night against DET OL. Most of the front seven players played well against the run. The DL was forceful, the LB was brisk, the sheltered was filled from deep aggressively. Lots of chilly stuff in the video
The Lions had a season-high 23 rushing attempts of 3 or less yards… pic.twitter.com/wqSUt2BfXk
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) December 7, 2024
14 on 17: According to Next Gen Stats, Jared Goff targets breaking routes. His 14 catches resulted in 152 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Lions drove into the Packers defense with dig routes. Often forced to attack the center backs, the Packers left huge open spaces in midfield and the Lions gained the advantage time and time again. Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson and Quay Walker were charged with giving up 16 completions.
Jared Goff was 14 of 17 for 152 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers.
Goff currently leads the NFL with 1,534 passing yards this season, which is 224 more than the next closest quarterback.#GBvsDET | #OnePride pic.twitter.com/5n9CkwXx1n
— Next Gen Statistics (@NextGenStats) December 6, 2024
9 out of 13: After starting 3 of 7 for just 31 yards in the first half, Packers quarterback Jordan Love caught fire in the second half, completing 9 of 13 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown. His accomplishments included a 59-yarder to Christian Watson, a 29-yarder to Watson, a 26-yarder to Dontayvion Wicks and a 21-yarder to Tucker Kraft. The second touchdown pass was negated by a questionable OPI penalty.
37.5% to 22.5%: Jordan Love was pressured on 37.5 percent of his drops, while Jared Goff was pressured on just 22.5 percent of his losses, according to Next Gen Stats. The injury-ravaged Lions were particularly effective on offense early in the game, and the Packers struggled to block offense. It was a disappointing effort from the Packers offense. Meanwhile, Goff threw a pair of touchdown passes under pressure.
❤️ on 💰 pic.twitter.com/aV738tOxIw
— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2024
80.1: Kenny Clark’s PFF overall grade, best of the season. He’s finally gotten over his lingering toe injury, so perhaps his best football of the season is yet to come. Clark dominated the fight and rushed as a pass rusher.
Last night, Kenny Clark looked like his elderly self. pic.twitter.com/0m4zHYMQMG
— Brandon Carwile (@BCarwile_NFL) December 6, 2024
Game-defining statistics: 4 for 5, or Lions fourth down conversions. Detroit scored two fourth-down touchdowns, including one on 4th-and-2 before halftime and another on 4th-and-3 to retake the lead in the third quarter. The Packers had one large interception (leading to a touchdown), but the Lions’ aggressiveness – and fourth-down efficiency – ultimately decided the game.
