Great team win! One observation though…after starting faster than ever, it seemed to me that O let off the gas. 20 points in Q1, nine points the rest of the game. Am I being too critical?
They let off the gas only in the sense that the execution wasn’t quite as sharp and the Lions picked up their game and got really aggressive defensively. The Packers didn’t sit back with the lead. They were still throwing the ball and taking their shots. Went for it on fourth-and-1 at 20-6. Doubs dropped a slant on third down, just his second drop of the season. Reed had that one off his fingertips on the deep over on another third down. Plenty of close ones. But the offense stayed aggressive.
I can’t imagine how many other NFL quarterbacks were watching this game and thinking to themselves, “Geez, I wish my offensive line could pass protect like that!”
Tremendous effort by the guys up front, especially considering how it went in Week 4 against Detroit. It’s funny, before the game they were playing a Lions preview show on the stadium video board, and one of the commentators noted the Lions’ pass rush didn’t do much against the Bears last week until the late sack/safety by Hutchinson. That comment came to mind as Love had so much time to survey, in contrast to two months ago.
Tom from Harker Heights, TX
Shout out to Scott from Palos Park, Illinois. Unless you were enduring a tryptophan coma, no WYMM required after watching Kenny Clark push that “sled” 10 yards into the backfield to disrupt yet another Goff throw. Hats off to the defense!
Gary was spectacular obviously with the three sacks and two forced fumbles. But I thought Clark and Preston generated steady pressure, too, most importantly without blitzing. The back end wasn’t compromised to hurry Goff and get him off the spot. Detroit’s O-line is a tough bunch, and they still ran the ball for plenty, but the Packers stopped a lot of carries for three yards or less as well. The game was won up front on both sides of the ball.
One defense very clearly more physical, applying pressure to the tune of 12 QB hits, three sacks, three forced fumbles, one of which is returned for a TD. The other team was dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball all game, and tried unsuccessfully to mount a miracle comeback unable to secure an onside kick. Were this recap predicted a couple days ago I wonder how many fans would have pegged the teams correctly.
A dozen QB hits? Hadn’t even seen that stat. Deserves a “Mercy.”
Jeff from Indian Lake, NY
Now there’s the Christian Watson we’ve been waiting to see! On that first deep shot I initially thought “he underthrew him again.” But when the receiver comes down with it no one cares or remembers. Reminded me of your reference to the Hurts-to-Smith throw on MNF. It’s all coming together for Jordan, though. You can actually feel his confidence growing.
I know Watson had to slow up on the opening-play deep shot, but honestly I’m not sure Love could’ve thrown it any farther. It was a 53-yard gain, and when you account for the drop-back, that ball had to travel at least 60 yards in the air with normal (non-Hail Mary) footwork. Watson attacked that ball. Malik Heath, Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs attacked others. Love gave them chances to make plays and they made them. That’s how a team makes it work.
