The Detroit Lions beat the Green Bay Packers in one of the best games of the year. The Lions were able to score 34 points despite their run game struggling. Jared Goff had a very efficient game and made big plays when needed and the Packers offense struggled in the first half but got going in the second half to put up 31 points. Jordan Love didn’t turn the ball over but failed to find his top receiver, Jayden Reed. There are many winners from this huge win and a couple of losers.
Winners
Tim Patrick
Tim Patrick was Goff’s go-to guy this week and had his best game as a Lion. He finished with 6 catches for 43 yards and 2 touchdowns, playing a large part in the Detroit Lions victory. Patrick has been an excellent signing for Detroit and has stepped into the wide receiver No. 3 role well not only as a pass catcher but also as a blocking receiver. He has been a huge part of the success of the offense so far, and if Detroit wants to win a Super Bowl, he will need to continue contributing.
Terrion Arnold
Arnold has been great the last few games and this week was no exception. He held the Packers receivers to just 2 catches for 9 yards. After starting the season rough, Arnold has been great over the past few games, looking like he can be a true lockdown corner in the NFL. He has been a huge upgrade to the Lions secondary and if the Detroit Lions want to continue winning, he will need to continue his top-tier play.
Linebackers
The Detroit Lions entered the day with Jack Campbell being the only linebacker from the beginning of the season healthy, but you wouldn’t be able to tell with how they were playing. Campbell made big plays, but so did recent additions like Ezekiel Turner and David Long. Turner was all over the field making plays, including bringing Jordan Love down on a crucial third down at the end of the game that held Green Bay to a field goal.
He was the highest-graded PFF player for the Detroit Lions this week and made a huge difference. Long also made a big play recovering a fumble off Christian Watson that resulted in 3 points for Detroit. The Lions have been battling injuries the whole year, but if the new additions can continue to make an impact, they will be able to go far in the playoffs.
Losers
Carlton Davis
Davis has been great for Detroit this year, but this week he struggled. Davis gave up a chunk play to Christian Watson to open the second half followed by a TD just a few plays later. Although he gave up 4 catches for 120 yards, he did make a big play to force a fumble. Davis has been good this year so there’s not much to worry about. He needs to play better than if the Lions want to win.
David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs
The Lions have gotten their running game going almost every game, but this week was an exception. The Packers did a great job holding both Gibbs and Montgomery to under 4 yards per carry, forcing Detroit to have to win the game in the air. Taylor Decker was out again, which likely played a big role in how the run game operated, but they still need to succeed. The Lions offense runs on the two running backs, so they will need to have a better game come playoff time if the Detroit Lions want to win.
Final Thoughts
With the Detroit Lions clinching a playoff spot in Thursday’s victory, they must ensure the Minnesota Vikings do not overtake them in the NFC North standings. Detroit has a difficult game next week as the Buffalo Bills come to town in what may be a Super Bowl preview.
