Lions 24, Packers 14: Game Balls/Lame Calls
Green Bay contributes early and often to a humiliating loss.
If there were lingering questions about whether the Lions are the superior team in the NFC North, Detroit’s 24-14 win at Lambeau on Sunday should have erased all doubts. It’s a hard concept for Packer nation to accept, but it’s time. Sure, the Packers provided plenty of assistance to the Lions -- to an embarrassing degree — but that’s the point: With the division lead and potential playoff seedings at stake, while enjoying home-field advantage in conditions that have previously bedeviled Jared “The Dome Dude” Goff, Green Bay made mistake after mistake — and were out-coached — while the Lions executed almost flawlessly.
Thankfully, the Packers now have their bye, giving Jordan Love and some of his teammates a chance to heal for what we can only hope will be a strong stretch run over the next eight games. They will need the extra time not only on the trainers’ table, but on the practice field, because there’s a lot to clean up before heading to Chicago in two weeks. Perhaps most disappointing: many of the issues — drops, penalties and back-breaking interceptions on balls that should never be thrown -- aren’t new. Yet they persist.
The reality is that the Packers have put together three consecutive sub-par performances, barely surviving the first two before being buried by one of the two best teams in football. This game was not nearly as close as the score suggests.
GAME BALLS
The offensive line — Despite the usual raft of penalties, this unit was the best Green Bay put on the field Sunday. With Jordan Love’s mobility limited, it was imperative that the O-line limit pressure while also opening up lanes for Josh Jacobs and his running mates. Overall the line allowed no sacks and gave ample time to Love, despite a personnel shuffle due to center Josh Myers’ injury, which moved Elgton Jenkins to center and pressed rookie Jordan Morgan into service at guard. Indeed, it’s safe to say that the line was largely responsible for the Packers garnering 411 yards of total offense, as Jacobs ran for 95 yards on 13 carries. The only major blemishes were two poor snaps in a row by Jenkins in the third quarter that forced Green Bay to settle for a field goal. 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈
Christian Watson — Jayden Reed had the longest catch of the day, a 41-yarder, but in key situations when Love needed a completion he seemed to look for Watson. And two of his three catches were high degree of difficulty. Watson appears to be fully healthy and not pampering his hamstrings. Here’s hoping his reliability means more targets.
🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈
Josh Jacobs — He had another workhorse day, adding a couple of catches to his 95 yards rushing, most of which came in the first half. Green Bay fell sufficiently behind late in the second quarter that they had to pretty much abandon the run in the second half, which hurt Jacobs’ numbers. 🏈 🏈 🏈
UNSUNG HERO
Quay Walker — There weren’t many heroes anywhere in this one, and the defense had another difficult day overall. Before his concussion last week, Walker’s play was uneven at best. But he came back against Detroit and had twice as many tackles (12) as any other defender, seven of which were solo. The D got gashed often — more about that later — and Walker still isn’t a difference maker on a regular basis, but he had a decent day relative to his teammates.
LAME CALLS
Matt LaFleur — This won’t be the only item that’s repetitive from previous games, but I am again baffled at the decision to play Love in the first place. His mobility limitations meant that once again the offense was somewhat one-dimensional, with the vast majority of snaps in shotgun. This makes the defense’s job much easier, and it got even more extreme as the Packers fell farther and farther behind. In addition, playing Love exposed him to the risk of making the injury worse, which could have happened anyway without us knowing. On the flip side, sitting him would have meant three weeks to get healthy while missing only one game, and Malik Willis has proved to be not only competent, but more dangerous because of his ability to run. I also cannot understand why LafLeur wants to take the ball first if the coin toss is won. This week, the Lions scored at the end of the first half and then got to double up on the lead at the start of the third quarter. Had the Packers had the ball to start the third quarter, they would have had a better chance of not getting into the hole they were in. Playing Willis would have given Green Bay a better chance in the game, and a safer future for Love. In the fourth quarter, as the team attempted a comeback, LaFleur’s offense reverted to Aaron Rodgersville, with numerous attempts at low-percentage, deep sideline throws, even on late downs when the goal should have been shorter passes to keep the chains moving.
Jordan Love — By some measures, Love’s day wasn’t bad. He went 23-39 for 273 yards. But the pick-six he threw toward the end of the first half — because he was once again hero-balling to try to avoid a sack — put the Packers in a deep hole. Love has to stop making the wrong decisions in those situations. He was also off on several throws, which helped account for six drops of his passes by receivers.
The defense — Like last week and for much of the season, the team on the field underperformed its stats. It sounds good to hold an opponent to 261 total yards, but Detroit gashed the Packers in the run game when it needed to, particularly in the first half. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 138 rushing yards, while five receivers were in double digits when it comes to yards gained through the air. Meanwhile, Goff was barely pressured. It didn’t help that Jaire Alexander and Evan Williams were out. The cornerback room has little depth, so here’s hoping Brian Gutekunst finds some relief before the trade deadline. As we've said before, this defense has been only as good as its ability to take the ball away, a high variance proposition. When that doesn't happen, like against Detroit, the defense is barely average.
FINAL WHISTLES
In every phase, the Lions made the Packers look mediocre at best and foolish at worst. It was an embarrassing beatdown, which one hopes will be learned from. Suffice to say, Green Bay is going to need to play much better going forward to have a chance at a deep run.
The opportunity remains; the rest of the schedule isn’t easy but there are plenty of winnable games. GPG.
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__________________________
Jonathan Krim grew up in New York but got hooked on the Packers — and on hating the Cowboys — watching the Ice Bowl as a young child. He blames bouts of unhappiness in his late teens on Dan Devine. A journalist for several decades who now lives in California, he enjoys trafficking in obscure cultural references, lame dad jokes and occasionally preposterous takes. Jonathan is a Packers shareholder, and insists on kraut with his brats. You can follow Jonathan on twitter at @Jkrim.
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Comments (82)
HawkPacker
November 04, 2024 at 07:28 am
Yes, with the weather being what it was during the game, I thought they should have started Willis as his running as well as pretty decent passing, when needed, would have been perfect for this game in particular.
I am a bit disappointed in Love and quite frankly think he is getting overpaid at this point and I hate to say that. I think Willis would have been a better option last night. As was not happy with Love last night and vowed to make some negative comments on Love and actually hoping that he would read my comments.
I am also disappointed in all the penalties. Come on guys, you are professionals.
I am also disappointed in both the offensive and defensive lines. They should be better by now too.
I look at our db's and wish we would have drafted Cooper DeJean in the first round rather than Morgan. I am sure many of you are saying we needed new/fresh blood on our OL. I agree, but we really picked up a guard in the first round which we normally do not do.
I am sure I will look back at this comment later and not feel so harsh on our team but last night I was pi**ed off and to a certaint extend I still am.
It is a bad feeling going into the break with a loss when having such high expectations going into the season.
TOMMY'63
November 04, 2024 at 08:50 am
Yeah Morgan the left tackle to replace Backthiari? My ass! . Gute learned from tt,what do you expect? I know many adored tt, he wasn't that good. Never gave arod a competent defence in his prime! No he never bloody did! 30,35,45 points were never enough in the playoffs! He loved quantity over quality, 5 straight 1st round picks on dbs,all bust! Avoided free agency like plaque. Imagine Lombardi hc gm with a talent like arod!! Anyway that's true about tt,basketball players at te wr,dbs at safety etc. Square pegs in round holes. Please still admire him and bring flowers to his grave!
PeteK
November 04, 2024 at 09:22 am
He gave him enough to win a SB, and put the ball in his hands at the end of the game for another.
TOMMY'63
November 04, 2024 at 03:19 pm
No , the credit go to big Mike and some luck. 16 players on injured reserve, how was that possible? Imagine winning the sb with 16 on injured reserve and playing with the reserves!
TOMMY'63
November 25, 2024 at 07:58 pm
Bull shit !!!!!! . LIKE steering sharpe,great packer wc, brother Shannon told his colleague skip on their television programme a few years ago. If arod played at new England under bellicick and mcdaniels arod would have won as many superbowls as brady if not more!!!!!
LeotisHarris
November 25, 2024 at 09:04 pm
It was never easy for Shannon to be in steering's shadow growing up, and to have steering be a great wc while Shannon only a tc, well, it was tough. At least at the end of the day they won't know what bellicick could have done for arod!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bitternotsour
November 26, 2024 at 07:54 am
this checks out. you know if you squint a little, and correct just a bit of the syntax, it's not that unlike Cory Jenner Johns work.
Packerpasty
November 04, 2024 at 09:09 am
bit disappointed in Love for sure...overpaid for sure...there are at least five QBs who would perform as good or better than Love in the league right now..probably more...heck, I would take old man Stafford for a season he looked pretty good, and smart, last night..
RCPackerFan
November 04, 2024 at 07:50 am
GAME BALLS:
Jayden Reed —
He caught 5 passes on 6 targets for 115 yards. He had 2 tremendous catches also. The one on the sideline and the back shoulder catch on 4th down. He is their true number 1.
Josh Jacobs —
Jacobs is a great RB. He deserves better around him. I would hate to see what this offense would look like without Jacobs.
UNSUNG HERO
OL —
I don't feel they played good enough to earn a game ball. They played really well. But I can't give them a game ball with the amount of bad snaps & pre snap penalties. However, they blocked great in this game. They gave Jacobs a ton of room to run and for the most part they gave Love plenty of time to throw.
LAME CALLS
Matt LaFleur —
I am not questioning the decision to play Love. this game was not lost by Love. I don't care what people say. Could he have been better? Yes. Could he have made better decisions? Yes. But this game is not on Love or the decision to play him.
Where I give LaFleur the Lame call is his decision to take the ball on the coin toss. Before this year he has always differed. This is the 3rd week in a row that he has taken the ball. This week it really haunted them as they weren't the team that could double up on points. The Lions were and that is what killed us in the game.
Jordan Love —
He had some off throws. The one to Brooks was behind him on the opening drive 3rd down. If he leads Brooks it is a first down and possibly a TD. Now, it did hit brooks in the hands and he needs to catch it. But Love could have thrown it better too. Same with the Wicks TD drop. He could have led him better, but he still needs to catch it.
The play that puts him in the lame calls is the pick 6. That play changed the game.
FINAL WHISTLES
"In every phase, the Lions made the Packers look mediocre at best and foolish at worst. It was an embarrassing beatdown, which one hopes will be learned from."
I completely disagree with this. Packers beat themselves PERIOD. The Lions didn't do anything great to win.
Opening drive the Packers have the ball at the 40. But get called for a 15 yard penalty (still trying to figure out what happened there).
They moved down to the 12 yard line. Brooks drops the 3rd down pass, they kick the FG.
Lions first drive they hold them to a 4th and goal at the 5. GB jumps offsides giving them a 4th and goal at the 3.
Next drive Packers get a 3rd and 3. Rhyan false starts making it 3rd and 8 and they don't convert.
Packers shut down the Lions.
Packers get the ball, Get some help from Branch. They get the ball at the 32. False start on Doubs making it a 1st and 15. Kraft drops a pass on 3rd down that most likely is a First down. McManus misses a 46 yard FG.
Lions kick a FG the next drive.
Love throws Pick 6.
Halftime. At halftime they are down 17-3.
Opening drive the Packers get the Lions to a 3rd and 6 and force an incomplete pass. The refs throw a flag on Nixon for holding (bad call). 6 plays later they score a TD. This to me was the changing point in the game. Packers were down 2 scores and had almost 2 full quarters to catch up. Instead they go down 3 TD's and can't make it up.
Next drive. Wicks drops a 3rd down. They go 3 and out.
They force the Lions to go 3 and out.
Packers drive the next time and get down to the 14 yard line with first and 10. Incomplete pass to Watson, The next 2 plays are horrible snaps, they settle for a FG.
Packers next drive they got to the 9 and Wicks drops a TD on 3rd and 1.
Packers next drive no penalties, and they get a TD and 2 point conversion.
If you go drive by drive the Packers just kept shooting themselves in their feet. It had nothing to do with what the Lions did. Packers had 10 penalties. They missed a 46 yard FG. Made it to the redzone 4 times and had 1 TD and 1 FG.
Plain and Simple... If the Packers stop beating themselves, they can beat anyone!
Vachio
November 04, 2024 at 08:12 am
Right there with you. If they ever learn to play disciplined football and catch, the packers are capable of beating any team in the league. Honestly, capable of dominating any team in the league. Time will tell if that's a lesson they learn.
RCPackerFan
November 04, 2024 at 10:08 am
The disciplined football has not been there this year. And the crazy part is its by guys who shouldn't be doing this stuff by now.
The false starts were by Doubs, Jacobs, Rhyan, Tom. None of these guys are rookies anymore. No excuse.
TOMMY'63
November 04, 2024 at 09:01 am
Yes it was lost by him, a little soft lob over defensive front heads, easy pick 6! Throw it away over sideline. He shall throw picks every week, just watch, he's the photocopy of Winston!!
Packerpasty
November 04, 2024 at 09:11 am
after researching him when they drafted him I was hoping his foolish int's would end once coached in the NFL, but they haven't...and thats both on him and his coaches.
RCPackerFan
November 04, 2024 at 09:59 am
That was his 1 mistake. Obviously that was a bad play and really changed the game. BUT it wasn't lost by him.
They had a dropped 3rd down play that would have set up 1st and goal on the first drive. They had a dropped TD later. They missed a FG. If Wicks catches the TD and they make the FG, the game is tied at the end.
To many mistake by many other people.
If Watson doesn't misjudge a couple of deep passes, who knows what happens.
EricTorkelson
November 04, 2024 at 04:04 pm
You said in your own words ... your not questioning the decision to play Love... this game was not lost by Love !
But then you added , The play that puts Love in the lame calls was the pick-six ( that play changed the game )
MLF catered to an injured Love like he used to cater to Rodgers he almost invertedly admitted to it in his
combative post conference ....
jgando12
November 04, 2024 at 07:51 am
This was a confusing and disappointing day. Confused by MLF 's questionable decisions in play-calling and game management, and disappointing with our now established missing pass-rush and glaring K. Nixon liability. Would have liked to see JL benched after his pick-six in favor of a more mobile Willis...and sending JL a message: Enough is enough - you are entering Will Levis territory and you HAVE TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS NOW. Let him think about it. Can Gutes pry a quality CB from a selling team to help? Please?
The drops...from Brooks to Wicks to Tucker to Doubs...and the continued PENALTIES raise the question of MLF holding players accountable (see pick-6 comment). The Lions played w/o those mistakes...which highlights their mind set. They expected to play well and win. They are rolling now. Good for them. We are showing our youth. Everything is in front of us...but w/o a pass rush, any NFL QB will pick us apart eventually.
MTmind
November 04, 2024 at 09:17 am
Not everything is about mindset. Maybe the Lions are just better players who are better coached. People keep commenting that the Packers beat themselves and could have won had the game plan been executed with minimal penalties. Ummm… yeah, that’s true… for any team in the NFL. The difference between the Lions and Packers is that the Lions DID execute their game plan… perfectly. That’s why they are a better team.
Renllaw
November 04, 2024 at 07:54 am
I'm going to disagree with you on Quay Walker. Sure he had a high tackle count, but they all seem to come in chase mode. He almost never meets the back in the hole. They are all drag down tackles vs punishing tackles allowing for an extra yard or two every time. From my perspective, he should be behind Wilson, McDuffie, AND Hopper on the Mike depth chart. He may be the biggest and fastest guy in the room, but he has zero instincts and as mentioned earlier, no "thud" to his game.
HarryHodag
November 04, 2024 at 08:17 am
If you watch closely he's a 'react' type linebacker as opposed to an 'impact' linebacker. He makes tackles but after the runner is five yards up the field. Cooper long term will be the answer.
mrtundra
November 04, 2024 at 08:25 am
Quay reminds me of AJ Hawk. Lots of tackles 5-6 yards past the LOS.
GilThorp
November 04, 2024 at 08:33 am
He's even worse than Blake Martinez.
Coldworld
November 04, 2024 at 09:17 am
He’s a guy I don’t think should be handling the dot responsibility. Sadly I found myself missing Wilson. Wilson should have started. Cooper and Walker should split other linebacker duties situationally. Play over status every time, but not on a LaFkeur led team.
Yesterday we also saw what our OL could be with no Myers. To the surprise of surely no one it was a great deal better. Jacobs could have had a career day had the rest of the O not been so disappointing.
Brooks, the new darling at RB, had the dumbest play by a non QB in failing to even try to get out of bounds just before the half and thus burning our last time out. He also dropped an easy pass that killed a chance to score a TD.
Wicks continues to drop key passes at a rate that negates his ability to get open. After 9 games I’d rather any other WR was out there for those.
Why did it take till half time to suddenly involve Reed? That was some time after Branch was ejected as well. Isn’t Reed our best performing WR over the season to date?
All symptoms of a team better than its coaches.
MitchAnthony
November 04, 2024 at 10:09 am
I agree with you Harry. He made a bunch of tackles in this game because, the Lions ran the ball quite a bit. The odds are there that the tackles will happen, cause you're a linebacker. Tackles in the spirit of AJ Hawk and Blake Martinez. Chalk that up to possibilities and probabilities.
GilThorp
November 04, 2024 at 08:22 am
Walker is terrible. Go with Cooper, Wilson, McDuffie with Cooper and Wilson in the nickel. It's time for GB's staff to accept that Walker's a bust.
jvole
November 04, 2024 at 08:02 am
If he can snap the ball better, I think having having Jenkins at center improved the interior blocking.
Quay Walker has no instincts for the position he is playing when someone is running at him. I wonder if he would be a better DE?
ML-- A difference I noted between the Lions and Packers; their O-line blocked into the backs of runners fighting for yards. Ours stood behind them waiting to help someone up. I think MLF gets the 'soft' label on his teams for good reason. These are all tough young men but something is missing. There seems to be no accountability, and a 'better luck next time' mentality . Another example, yet another year of special teams players doing really stupid stuff.
Packerpasty
November 04, 2024 at 09:15 am
this is exactly what I saw too, why arent they in there pushing the ball carrier forward instead of standing around..this team is nowheres close to being a tough team...look at the Lions HC and then this young guy the Packers have..he just doesnt look tough and his lockeroom speeches are sort of juvenile...but hey, media says he's a young genius so I guess he must be...
lou
November 04, 2024 at 02:24 pm
Overview of Walker's play on Lombardi Avenue site;
Despite the fact that Eric Wilson has been playing some really good football for the Packers of late, Quay Walker returned to the lineup and immediately was one of the worst players on the field.
Packers fans were absolutely roasting Walker in this game for taking poor angles, not getting off of blocks, and just generally not making a positive impact on the game at all. The former first-round pick out of Georgia has not lived up to his NFL Draft status. He finished the game with a missed tackle while allowing almost every pass thrown into his coverage to be completed.
The Packers might have to pivot back to Wilson and admit defeat on their former first-rounder here.
Handsback
November 04, 2024 at 08:06 am
Green Bay is still playing like the leagues youngest team. Wait a minute...they are the leagues youngest team!
It's not an excuse as much as a reminder of why they are playing so poorly. What I don't see is a dominating performance by any group. Maybe the oline, but the passing game stalls, neutralizes that aspect. Look at the game...the Lions could run or pass and did. You have to stop one phase and the Packers couldn't. That's why they lost.
Just MHO
Packerpasty
November 04, 2024 at 09:16 am
wasn't this the excuse last season too...
cdoemel
November 04, 2024 at 11:44 am
Facts aren’t excuses. They’re reasons. And it’s still a fact we’re the youngest team in the league again this year.
Razer
November 04, 2024 at 08:12 am
Fundamentally too many mistakes to beat a solid, well prepared team. My base worry with this team is becoming Jordan Love. If he plays solid, smart ball yesterday we have every chance to win. His mistakes and poor decisions sealed our fate by the half. Goff is playing within himself and delivering to his play makers. Love is playing like a first year rookie. The Packers have a high priced star QB who probably should have sat yesterday in favor of Willis. If we have to sit Love in the future it will be a big problem.
Coldworld
November 04, 2024 at 09:26 am
For the first time Love made statements in his post game presser that worried me. He flat out denied the injury hindered him. For any that saw him hobble after there to Reed to end the half in particular that has to be called as BS. If LaFleur can’t tell Live to sit (last week Love eventually made the call), then we really do have a problem masquerading as a HC.
fthisJack
November 05, 2024 at 06:52 am
He should have been yanked after the first groin tweet against Jacksonville. That's on the coach especially when Willis won 3 games for them and brings a dynamic that causes a defence to have to prepare for his running ability.
So you go with a 1 legged QB who can't roll out or deliver an on target throw against one of the best teams in the league. Unacceptable coaching.
TOMMY'63
November 04, 2024 at 08:36 am
Hello everyone! I was out of the country all of last spring and summer. I want to know, please. Was Jordan Love contract due to expire at this seasons end? Did gute have to make that massive contract extension when he did? I don't know, tried to Google unclear response. If he didn't, and expiry was end of this season, he fucked upped! He is a liability, he throws at least 1 interception in every match! Most people learn from stupid mistakes, but not him. He had an open man to his left sideline,pressure etc,couldn't get it off,but wtf! A little loft over defenders head ? Throw it away. We're a decent team , will beat teams at below and our level, no chance to beat the finer teams. The penalties, can't clean it up, dropped passes? Detroit receivers didn't have this problem. Please inform me on loves contract extension, if his contract expired or gutekunst wanted to make it. Who knows maybe next year love shall improve, I don't believe so, he was a turnover machine at uni,his now. A photocopy of Winston? Perhaps? The penalties will continue, secondary , defence line.will remain the same . Can't get pressure wit 4,can't stop the run and pass. 7 1st round players on defensive side, maybe gute drafted the wrong players at his disposition! Please with the down votes! The truth hurts and many never expect the truth!!
mrtundra
November 04, 2024 at 08:37 am
I love Elgton Jenkins as a player, but as a LG, not as a Center. At least two of his snaps, to Love, were low and Love had to go low to catch them. You could tell that going low was hurting Love, with his groin issue. Next time we need a back up for Myers, at Center, I think we'd be better off playing Jacob Monk, our 5th round Center, out of Duke. Center is Monk's natural position and I think he would have fared better, there, than Jenkins did. Moving Jenkins to Center also had us moving Morgan to LG, a position Morgan hasn't played much. I did felt Morgan played LG well, but can't we get players playing at their learned positions? Hopefully, the Bye week will get players healed so we can move on and beat the Bares! Every injured player had better be in rehab mode, for the next 10 days, or so. GO PACK, GO!!!
GilThorp
November 04, 2024 at 08:43 am
The center makes pre snap blocking calls so maybe they're not comfortable with Monk doing that yet.
cdoemel
November 04, 2024 at 11:47 am
But don’t centers do that at every level of play? He didn’t start playing center just when he got to the NFL.
Coldworld
November 04, 2024 at 09:32 am
Jenkins has previously played pretty well as a C. He did yesterday it would seem from the results. The only issue was a couple of a few errant snaps, at least some of which appeared to be Love not bending well. I do not recall Jenkins having bad snaps previously. So a little more practice and with Love practicing too should sort that out.
I don’t know if Jenkins holding up better was the big lift to both Gs or if it was partly better calls as well, but both looked more in synch in this game than has been typical. Longer term, Monk, who is a recent convert to C and from a smaller program, has potential. He did, in my view, need some weight room time as well as learning the calls in a very much more complex offense.
T7Steve
November 04, 2024 at 08:42 am
Glass half full: You don't want to peak too soon. You want to start peaking towards the end of the season and play your best ball then and into the playoffs.
Glass half empty: You don't want to peak too soon. You want to start peaking towards the end of the season and play your best ball then and into the playoffs.
Is it just me that notices that lately J. Alexander seems to miss the games where he might have to match up with a dynamic receiver?
dobber
November 04, 2024 at 08:48 am
Alexander plays on the outside and St. Brown runs the majority of his routes from the slot.
Besides, he seems to relish his matchups with guys like Jefferson and Diggs.
T7Steve
November 04, 2024 at 09:29 am
Yes, I understand, I thought about it for the Viking game and thought he enjoyed going up against Jefferson too.
Lphill
November 04, 2024 at 08:44 am
what a sloppy , lame performance by the Packers , Love again with his stupid throws, Nagler never has anything negative to say unless he has his beer muscles .Gute better find some defensive backs that can cover and tackle.
edp1959
November 04, 2024 at 11:09 am
For 16 years they drafted defensive backs and wasted Rodgers career. Today, we are still talking about drafting decent defensive backs; freaking unbelievable.
Packerpasty
November 04, 2024 at 09:03 am
""And yet they persist""...all ya gotta know...Packers have a middle of the road coaching staff and a middle of the road QB...and they are not a "tough" team..
NFLfan
November 04, 2024 at 01:33 pm
@PP-They have a bottom level Defensive Pass Rush and Corner Room.
Yesterday they were 'hoping' Jaire would show up-He is out 50% of the time.
tobinrote
November 04, 2024 at 09:04 am
tongue only half in cheek: win win scenario, get Brady out of the broadcast booth and hire him to replace Love, whom we appear to be stuck with being 78 until my dying day.
Major Snafu
November 04, 2024 at 09:09 am
My observations:
1. Lions didnt make the packers look bad. The packers we saw are the packers. I dont know what people think they are missing in this team. Pass rush is avg, run d is less then avg, pass game can be sporatic, special teams god only knows who shows up for that and kicking is above avg.
Love is an 8 and 8 QB. He isnt going to take this team on his shoulders and make them a 12-5 qb. He just isnt anywhere neer that talented.
2. LeFleur is a one trick pony and its time people understand that. He had no intention of playing Willis because he is afraid to try anything that may make him look bad as in poor decision making. Had he played Willis and lost he would have been criticized for it so he avoided anything raining down on him. Thats who he is.
3. This team has a below avg pass d. Plus I noticed as you did Hatfly has gone to a five and six man rush now because he learned, we dont have 4 guys who can put pressure on the QB. We didnt draft defensive ends in the first.
This wasnt a surprise yesterday. The Lions used several drafts with the luxury of low first round picks, getting a QB on the cheap, going out and finding holes to fill with free agents and over time building a team that can contend. It aint draft and develop people. So why would any of you expect GB to be able to compete. This team isnt in the same league as the lions.
navydisposaleer
November 04, 2024 at 10:07 am
I think somewhere in the deep dark secret lies a huge money problem that has to do with A. Rodgers and who know who else.
TOMMY'63
November 04, 2024 at 03:27 pm
Well said! We can beat teams at our level but will be exposed against the better teams
Rory P Scrotem
November 04, 2024 at 09:11 am
You hear allotta stuff about if we clean up this, or clean up that. Exactly who is in charge of room-to-room cleaning things up? There is a myriad of coaches starting with Matt LaFleur, going to offensive coordinators,
going to specific position coaches, assistant position coaches, specialist coaches and one recently hired special advisor.
Who is "in charge" of cleaning up a mistake(s) made by a professional high income earning player who has been playing football since grade school, junior high, high school, college and now is playing at thee absolute height at his profession?
Some would say, "hey Rory...it's not that easy!" And I would say, "what are Dan Campbell & his coaches doing right that our coaches are not doing?"
Personally, player by player...I think Green Bay has a far superior team "on paper" than Detroit...especially with Hutchinson out. Given that, whose responsibility is it to do "all the cleaning up of mistakes?"
Packerpasty
November 04, 2024 at 09:19 am
could it be the soft coaching staff?? Dan Campbell would never put up with this crap game after game, and who on the staff of GB is as good a play caller as Ben Johnson....no one...
Lare
November 04, 2024 at 09:11 am
On the bright side:
1. The Packers are consistent.
2. Love will finally go a week here without throwing an interception.
Rory P Scrotem
November 04, 2024 at 09:22 am
In the Quarterback Room...whose responsibility is it to "reel Jordan Love in" and make him understand the importance of protecting the ball...not playing "hero ball."
The vision in my mind is Brett going to the sideline & Mike looking directly at him "and making him understand"...or at least trying to...the importance of playing within himself.
I hear Matt LaFleur say he wants Jordan Love to "take those chances" throwing in tight reception areas.
That's fine when it works Coach but, "you live by the sword; you die by the sword!"
Packerpasty
November 04, 2024 at 06:01 pm
hahaha...yup..poor Mike..what he had to deal with!!
navydisposaleer
November 04, 2024 at 10:02 am
Got me laughing!!!
NFLfan
November 04, 2024 at 09:18 am
The Lions have been building a solid, complete team for 4-5 years. Their owner, HC & OC are top drawer.
Green Bay has not taken the next step to build a complete team yet.
Until GB takes a good, objective look @ 30% of their Defensive personnel, there will be problems.
These are the weaknesses as I see it:
Nixon, Stokes, Valentine, Alexander (injuries 50%), Walker, LVN, Gary, Smith, MacDuffie, Slaton, Orzech, Bisaccia.
Would the Lions have signed these players, retained that coach?
There have been wasteful draft capital investments in many of these players which has become a pattern though
they did an excellent job in the Safety room this year. Perhaps Hafley had some influence.
Love has been injured and both the fans and GB staff have chosen to be in denial about this fact.
GB should have known the Lions were a superior team and not put Love, as an injured player in slippery conditions. This loss is not on Love, it's on a weak roster construction in key areas , primarily corners and pass rush.
The Lions have a clear-eyed evaluation of their team and GB staff and fans do not.
They are coached in a more professional manner as well, ie., penalties.
Rory P Scrotem
November 04, 2024 at 09:26 am
Did the Lions get a better deal for Stafford than the Packers got for Rodgers? I can't remember???
NFLfan
November 04, 2024 at 09:27 am
@RS- I clearly mentioned the last 4-5 years-not ancient history.
LeotisHarris
November 04, 2024 at 02:01 pm
The Stafford - Goff trade was completed before the 2021 season. I think 2021 was in the last 4-5 years.
Rams received; Matt Stafford
Lions received:
QB Jared Goff
CB Ifeatu Melifonwu (2021 3rd-round pick)
WR Jameson Williams (2022 1st-round pick)
DL Josh Paschal (2022 2nd-round pick)
RB Jahmyr Gibbs (2023 1st-round pick)
TE Sam LaPorta (2023 2nd-round pick)
DT Brodric Martin (2023 3rd-round pick)
Rams won a Super Bowl. Lions have a HC approaching a 500 record with Detroit. Win-win.
barutanseijin
November 04, 2024 at 10:56 am
They should have. Stafford is/was the better QB at the time of the trade.
navydisposaleer
November 04, 2024 at 10:01 am
Yup! Good analysis.
jlc1
November 04, 2024 at 09:54 am
Right now these teams have switched roles. GB can't keep out of its own way and Detroit feasts on it. They own the Pack right now. Bye weeks have not done much to fix things in the MLF era. GPG!
navydisposaleer
November 04, 2024 at 09:57 am
All of us Packer fans live with great memories; Vince Lombardi, Mike Holmgren, Brett Favre and more. Winning seasons, tough players, exciting football. These memories are slowly passing away and being replaced with touchy thoughts like the Sunday game. I'm pretty sure you all saw the same issues. Very poor OLine and DLine performances, like the 4th down and 1 (yard) run that did not work. Ugh! It just seems like the team lacks spirit and determination. Pretty much that stems from the coaching staff on down to the players. Packers are saddled with a first year defensive coach and it shows. LaFleur's absence of innovation on that run play. Jacobs just can't push 1,000 pounds of defensive flesh...better to sneak around tackle with a leading tight end...what do I know! It was only 1 yard.
It's also disturbing that the Pack was blown away, at home, by the Viqueens AND the last 2 games were only won by field goals. Where's the determination? Sad to say with will be a 9-7 or 8-8 or if lucky 10-6 season...don't count on it.
cheesehead1
November 04, 2024 at 10:00 am
Embarrassing, sloppy game at home no less, but not unexpected, kudos to Detroit. I couldn’t believe MLF sent 10 out for the second half. He was obviously struggling and hurting. Use this bye to get him physically and better mentally prepared. He looks like he’s regressed a bit. Terrible decision making just like his terrible pick against SF in the playoff game. Long ways to go but Love must play smarter in the second half of the season.
stockholder
November 04, 2024 at 10:14 am
The Lions destroyed the packers.
And they're Lucky the weather kept the score close.
The defensive problem isn't Quay Walker.
The problem is Gary, P.Smith, and Van Ess.
They have been neutralized.
No Sacks and a very sad Tackle count.
It's time to face the fact they're slow. Too slow.
Can't wrap up. And don't fit the OLB /DE Mode.
Nobody seems to have an explanation.
But it's obvious. They only fit a 3-4-4 defense.
Rebelgb
November 04, 2024 at 10:24 am
Love did not play that bad people, settle down. His pick 6 however was absolutely unacceptable and CANNOT happen again. People calling Love a bust are idiots (sorry to be harsh but it has to be said). Go tell Indianaoplis who started Joe Flaco yesterday how much you hate Love. Malik should have started only because I figured we were losing anyways and Love could have used another week to heal.
Poor coaching/player mistakes: We have 1 yard to go inside the 10 for a 1st and throw an incomplete stopping the clock then use a time out with 10 minutes left in the game and down 3 scores so we can go on 4th and get stuffed?? How did you not have a play ready to go for 4th down if you planned to go for it? You could NOT afford to use a time out there. If we had scored the TD or got a 1st, losing that time out for later in the game would have been huge. That was unacceptable.
Penalties. 10? Again? What is that like the 3rd time this year? Everyone saying how our Oline played ok, well i guess you mean besides the 3 or 4 pre snap penalties when playing at home?? 3 bobbled snaps?
6 Dropped balls? Wicks is a joke. I have been saying that all year while everyone was in love with the guy. Watson was a Saviour with his 3 catches? Huh? The guy was a top draft pick. He wasn't drafted to catch 8 yard outs. Watson has to have a big last 9 games of the season or its time to move on and either draft a sure #1 WR or off season trade for one. This team has no top level receiver and I dont want to hear about how a team doesn't need one. Tell that to Minnesota or to Detroit.
Post game presser: So what do we get from Lafluer and Love? "We have to watch the tape and clean some things up. We need to play a complete game. " LOL um ok its week 9, not week 2. I swear to God I was listening to a Rodgers/Mccarthy presser.
Heres to hoping Love/Alexander/Williams/Jacobs get healed up and the Pack finds a way to grow up the next 2 weeks.
marpag1
November 04, 2024 at 12:50 pm
"Love did not play that bad people, settle down. His pick 6 however was absolutely unacceptable and CANNOT happen again."
That's kind of like saying, "Relax, folks. Little Billy isn't such a bad kid except for that one time when he murdered his mother."
One horrible game-changing play can easily destroy an entire performance. I think Love is going to be a very good player for a long time, But you can't throw that pick and still have a pretty good day.
I personally don't know anyone who thinks that Love is a bust. Stockholder and a handful of Vikings trolls don't count.
joejetson
November 04, 2024 at 08:05 pm
Totally agree with the criticism of LeFleur using the timeout before the failed 4th down play. When you're three scores down, you don't waste a timeout there. You'll need them later.
And then to run that play into a stacked box. Terrible coaching.
Of all the mistakes and blunders in that game, being unprepared for a 4th down short yardage situation was sickening.
Come on, LeFleur, get your s*** together.
NFLfan
November 04, 2024 at 10:28 am
I always suggest that aspiring teams study what successful teams are doing. Sometimes I think GB is a bit insular and not keeping up w/best practices. Detroit isn't that far away-take a look and a listen
marpag1
November 05, 2024 at 10:24 am
Hmm. That's a pretty odd take. I think I can safely guarantee that every NFL team studies every other NFL team, and they do it every year, continuously. Obviously, some teams will do it better than others, but everyone does it. There is a reason why everyone acknowledges that the NFL is "a copycat league."
Also, if you're looking for a franchise that can serve as a shining example of "best practices," remember that the Lions are one of only four teams that have NEVER reached the Super Bowl in the entire history of the Super Bowl era. Never mind *winning* a Super Bowl, they haven't even played in one. That's 58 years of futility, and there is no guarantee whatsoever that they will break that streak this year.
Packerpasty
November 04, 2024 at 11:38 am
Mahones..Jackson..Allen..Burrow...Herbert..Daniels...Stafford....Goff..all at least as good if not better than Love, he should start earning his big payday..his errors seem to persist..
tobinrote
November 04, 2024 at 01:12 pm
add Stroud, and even old Cousins is better, and i would take Purdy any day over Love. so he right about the middle of the pack at best.
Packerpasty
November 04, 2024 at 06:03 pm
I'd really like to see what Herbert would do on this team....
TOMMY'63
November 04, 2024 at 03:38 pm
Love doesn't have a half of a fingernail compared to those qbs! Dont believe, just wait and watch. At least a fumble or an interception in every match!
marpag1
November 04, 2024 at 01:17 pm
Here's the thing: Just because there was a game doesn't mean that a bunch of guys deserve game balls. Maybe I'll give Josh Jacobs a tip of the cap.
Quay Walker got beat like a raw egg over and over and over again in pass coverage. How many catches did he give up? Labeling him as a "hero" - even an unsung one - is absurd. (Wilson totally sucked in coverage too. It seems that a lot of people forget that linebackers need to cover. There is a reason why Jared Goff threw very few incompletions, even in the rain).
I won't say the O-line deserves a game ball. The tackles were pretty good (which might be expected with Aidan Hutchinson out). The interior blockers... uh, not so much.
I see no reason to single out Watson for a game ball.
Our D-line is so frustratingly pedestrian. Remember when everyone was raving about how Rashan was setting training camp on fire? Now it's like, "Hey guys, just give us a few more reasons to believe that you exist..."
Gman1976
November 04, 2024 at 04:56 pm
Lame: MLF - when players are undisciplined (too many penalties & another pick six), the coaches are undisiplined. Coaches need to "coach up" their players & not tolerate bonehead mistakes that lead to losses.
Idaho Cheese
November 04, 2024 at 05:30 pm
What am I missing in Walker's game that would lead me to believe that he knows how to play the game at a level better than BAD? What I am seeing is our Defense in considerably better when he was out those last couple weeks. I see him still not being able to tackle a runner other than hitting and grabbing super high on the pads which allows the ball carrier to drag him 2-3-5 yards downfield. He seems easy to bait by the other team, run right into blocks, always is chasing plays (especially when in coverage), his sideline speed is slowed down by poor diagnosis and fails to fire into gaps as a blitzer creating a tenative rush at best. I could go on, but I don't see how he is better than Eric WIlson in many ways, McDuffie as a run defender and Cooper overall? I'll concede Cooper is still rough but he looks to overtake Walker by next game? I want to have an open mind on this, but what I see, consistently, is, well, not good. Please let me know what i'm missing, or just gimme a thumbs down:(
fair_weather
November 04, 2024 at 08:05 pm
I missed out on Good Bad and Ugly
but the true ugly is the Gold package ticket holders. That stadium had as much blue as green and gold and there were times the announcer had to remind our guests to be silent while our offense was on the field.
Why are the Gold package ticket holders getting the three home division games this year? Gonna be a long night as we get inundated with Bears and Vikings fans later this year because Milwaukee season ticket holders will just sell their tickets and not show up.
My question is Why have season tickets if you're not going to the game.
Anyway, hearing jared goff chants filling Lambeau was pretty, pretty, lame.
Rhah
November 04, 2024 at 09:46 pm
I complained about this last year. They just sell their tickets to Detroit fans. It's getting bad.
fair_weather
November 08, 2024 at 08:27 am
Ford Field West should be the new stadium name.
Rhah
November 04, 2024 at 09:44 pm
The Packers are, or were before signing McManus, the youngest team in the league. I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and realize the youth on this team. Detroit is a super bowl team. The Packers are not there yet.
fthisJack
November 05, 2024 at 06:58 am
Slaton gave them 4 points and Love 7....might have been the difference in the game.