The Green Bay Packers (13-4, 4-2 NFC North) closed out the 2021 regular season with a 30-37 loss to the Detroit Lions (3-13-1, 2-4 NFC North) in a week eighteen matchup that meant well…nothing.

The Lions won the toss and deferred, so the Packers were the first to take the field on Sunday and they did exactly what they needed to do in a game where not much matters besides getting good reps and keeping everyone healthy.

To open the game, quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit wide receiver Allen Lazard for a huge 28-yard pickup to move the chains. Then, on  3^rd and 4, Rodgers found star wide receiver Davante Adams for 5 yards to keep the drive alive. After that, on 3^rd and 10, Rodgers and Adams continued to work their magic and connected for 11 yards and the first down. Running back AJ Dillon had an excellent block on the play that enabled Adams to run for a few extra yards after the catch. Later, on 3^rd and 3, Rodgers reconnected with Lazard for 8 yards to bring Green Bay within Detroit’s 10-yard line. And, after Dillon brough the Packers to the 1-yard line after an 8-yard rush, Rodgers and Lazard connected for a 1-yard touchdown. Kicker Mason Crosby’s extra point was good, and the Packers took an early 7-0 lead.

The Lions got a handful of nice reps from former Packers running back Jamaal Williams on their next drive. The fan favorite running back moved the chains for Detroit on 3^rd and 1 after rushing for 4 yards on the play. However, the Lions could not convert after that and attempted a fake punt deep in their own territory. The pass was incomplete, and the Packers took over at the Lions’ 35-yard line.

Despite having great field position to open their next drive, Green Bay found a whole lot of nothing on their next possession and quickly punted after going three and out.

And, although the season was already over for the Lions, they were not going to end the year without having some fun. On 2^nd and 9, quarterback Jared Goff connected with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 17-yard pickup. Then, Dan Campbell had Green Bay’s entire defense running around like chickens with their heads cut off after a trick play where wide receiver Tom Kennedy threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kalif Raymond to tie the game at 7-7.

On the first play of the Packers’ next possession, Rodgers connected with Adams for a 13-yard gain to move the chains. On the play, Adams made history with the most receiving yards in a single season in Packers’ history, breaking Jordy Nelson’s previous record of 1,519 yards in 2014 (Packers). To open the second quarter, the Rodgers and Lazard magic continued, and they connected for 9 yards on 3^rd and 6 to keep the drive alive. However, the momentum was not enough after Green Bay went for it on 4^th and 4 and failed to convert, so Detroit took over at their own 43-yard line.

Detroit’s next drive was basically the St. Brown show. On 2^nd and 9, he and Goff connected over a short pass over the middle for 9 yards to just barely move the chains. Then, on 2^nd and 13, the pair connected again for a 16-yard pickup and the first down. After that, Goff found St. Brown again off a 21-yard reception to bring the Lions within the Packers’ 10-yard line. And, to put the cherry on top of an already impressive drive, Detroit went for it on 4^th and goal and converted after a 2-yard touchdown catch from St. Brown. The extra point attempt was good, and the Lions took a 14-7 lead.  

On their next possession, the Packers started to find more momentum on offense. On 2^nd and 2, Dillon rushed for 5 yards to move the chains. After making his debut for the 2021 season to start this game, left tackle David Bakhtiari was done for the day about halfway through this drive after a good first showing.

After that, on 1^st and 10, Rodgers connected with Adams for a 16-yard gain to bring Green Bay to just about midfield. Then, Rodgers took advantage of an opportunity and launched one deep to Lazard who came up with an impressive 29-yard touchdown catch for his second score of the day. Crosby missed the extra point, so the Lions remained on top with a 14-13 lead.

On 2^nd and 5 right out of the two-minute warning, Detroit running back D'Andre Swift rushed for 11 yards and a first down. Then, the Lions continued to find momentum on offense after Goff connected with Kennedy for 11 yards to move the chains. From there, the Lions went for it again on fourth down and converted after Goff found wide receiver Josh Reynolds for an 11-yard pass play to move the chains.

On the next play, Goff showed no signs of slowing down after he found Raymond on 1^st and 10 for an 18-yard pickup to put the Lions right on the edge of the redzone. However, the Lions could not get in the end zone to close the half and had to settle for a field goal. Kicker Riley Patterson’s 34-yard field goal was good, and the Lions extended their lead to 17-13 at the break.

To open the second half, Green Bay’s defense looked a bit more alive and quickly forced a three and out. And, with Rodgers done for the day, quarterback Jordan Love took over the offense for the Packers. His first possession of the half was also short lived after he connected with wide receiver Juwann Winfree on 3^rd and 11 and Winfree fumbled, and the Lions recovered it at the Packers’ 36-yard line.

On the very next play, the Lions pulled more trickery out of their back pocket and after a quick exchanged in the backfield between Goff and Williams, Goff connected with tight end Brock Wright for a 36-yard touchdown. The extra point was good, and the Lions extended their lead to 24-13.

On the Packers’ next possession, Love and company started to find a bit of momentum. On 1^st and 10, Love connected with tight end Dominique Dafney for a 26-yard pass play to move the chains. Then, Green Bay decided to be aggressive and went for it on 4^th and 2. And, similar to QB1, Love was able to get the Lions to jump and a 5-yard neutral zone infraction penalty was called, and the Packers were gifted 5 yards and a first down, After that, on 3^rd and 1, Dillon continued to be a force in the backfield and rushed for 7 yards to put Green Bay in the redzone. However, the offense could not get six out of the play and was forced to settled for a field goal. Crosby’s 36-yard attempt was good, and the Packers cut the Lions’ lead to 24-16.

The Lions stalled on their next drive and went three and out after a good showing from the Packers’ defense. And, with the ball back in Green Bay’s hands, Love and the offense continued to find a rhythm. On 1^st and 10, running back Patrick Taylor rushed for 12 yards and a first down. Then, on 2^nd and 1, Love found Winfree over the middle for a 12-yard pass play to move the chains for the Packers. After that, Green Bay decided to go for it again on 4^th and 2 and, this time, converted after Love and Winfree connected for 2 yards. Then, Love continued to propel the Packers forward as he connected with Taylor off a short pass to pickup 3 yards on 3^rd and 2 and bring Green Bay within Detroit’s 5-yard line. Then, to open the fourth quarter, Taylor rushed for 1 yard and touchdown, the first of his young career. The Packers attempted to go for two and failed to convert, so they cut the Lions’ lead to 24-22.

The Lions continued to fight hard in this one, though. On their next possession, on 2^nd and 6, Williams rushed for 9 yards to move the chains. Then, on 3^rd and 7, it was Goff and St. Brown again after they connected for 15 yards and a first down to keep the drive alive. After that, Williams rushed for two more first downs for 3- and 5-yard plays, respectively, to put Detroit in the redzone. However, it was not enough, and the Lions settled for another field goal. Their 36-yard attempt was good, and they extended their lead to 27-22 with just over six minutes remaining in the game.

But, that lead did not last for long. On Green Bay’s next possession, Taylor rushed for 4 yards on 3^rd and 1 to keep the drive alive. Then, something I am not quite sure any of us expected to happen occurred: Love connected with tight end Josiah Deguara off a screen for a 62-yard touchdown to take the lead. Then, Green Bay kept having fun with it and went for two and converted after Love ran it in himself to take a 30-27 lead.

However, the Lions were not going out without giving this game their best effort. On 1^st and 10, Raymond picked up 13 yards for a first down. On the very next play, St. Brown continued to clown the Packers with a 28-yard pickup to move the chains. After that, Goff connected with Wright for 15 yards to move the chains and propel the Lions into the redzone. From there, the Lions began their two-minute drill with a bang after Swift busted out of the backfield and rushed for 14 yards and a touchdown. The extra point was good, and Detroit retook the lead at 34-30.

After some much-needed momentum for Love and the offense, they had a prime opportunity to keep this one competitive on their next drive. However, that goal was short-lived after Love threw a pass to wide receiver Amari Rodgers and he could not hold onto it, and it was intercepted and returned for 21 yards to Green Bay’s 15-yard line. Despite the prime field position, the Lions could not take advantage and get a touchdown to seal the win and had to settle for a 27-yard field goal. Their attempt was good, which would give us our final score of 37-30.

Love and the offense got another shot with about 50 seconds remaining in the game, but the Lions’ defense came through on another interception to seal the deal and earn their third and final win of the season.

What we learned: There was a noticeable difference with Bakhtiari and Myers back

Man, it was nice to see Bakhtiari and Myers back on the line for the Packers on Sunday. I know the Lions are not the best team in the NFL, but they reps they got were still incredibly meaningful and you could tell Rodgers looked more comfortable with the protection he had. So glad Green Bay has both of them (and maybe more) back for their playoff run.

What went right: Getting through the game with no major issues

Apart from two injuries (which we will talk about in a second), the Packers got through this game with no major issues and that is exactly what they needed to do. At the end of the day, Green Bay got meaningful reps for all their starters and the guys returning from injuries, Rodgers played well and seemed content with his performance, Adams broke the franchise record and young guys ––like Love and Taylor – got to play and get some more experience.

No matter the score, that is what is truly counts as a win for the Packers at this point in their season.

What went wrong: MVS and Sullivan injuries

The biggest concern for the Packers heading into this game was to escape it healthy. Mostly, they were able to achieve that goal, but wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling did leave the first half early with a back injury and cornerback Chandon Sullivan also left the game late with a knee injury.

It is unknown how serious either of those injuries were, or if these moves were precautionary, but considering the roles both of them play for the Packers, we need to hope it is the second.  

Offensive MVP: Allen Lazard

Talk about ending the regular season on a high note! In just one half of football, Lazard led the day in receiving for the Packers with 5 receptions for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns (ESPN stats). He really seems to be peaking at the perfect time for Green Bay.

Defensive MVP: Dean Lowry

Defensive end Mean Dean Lowry looked like he had something to play for in week eighteen for the Packers. He was all over the place at times on defense and finished the afternoon with 4 total tackles, 2 of which were solo, 1 sack, 2 tackles for a loss, and 1 QB hit (ESPN stats).

Up next, the Green Bay Packers get a break as they prepare for the playoffs with a first-round bye. See you in two weeks!