A disastrous pick-six, double-digit penalties and a half-dozen dropped passes doomed the Green Bay Packers in a decisive loss to the Detroit Lions at a rain-soaked Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Jordan Love threw a pick-six before the half, handing the Lions a 17-3 advantage. Matt LaFleur’s team also committed 10 penalties and dropped six passes.
The Packers are now limping into the bye week at 6-3 but also 0-2 in the division, while the Lions are surging ahead at 7-1.
Here is an instant analysis of the Packers’ loss to the Lions in Week 9:
Final score: Lions 24, Packers 14
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| DET (7-1) | 7 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| GB (6-3) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 14 |
Live scoring
First quarter
GB 3, DET 0: Brandon McManus 30-yard field goal (7:06)
DET 7, GB 3: Amon-Ra St. Brown 3-yard catch
Second quarter
DET 10, GB 3: Jake Bates 27-yard field goal (0:58)
DET 17, GB 3: Kerby Joseph 27-yard interception return (0:32)
Third quarter
DET 24, GB 3: Jahmyr Gibbs 15-yard rush (9:32)
DET 24, GB 6: Brandon McManus 38-yard field goal (0:48)
Fourth quarter
DET 24, GB 14: Emanuel Wilson 2-yard run (3:49)
It was over when…
… the Lions stuffed Josh Jacobs on 4th-and-1 inside the red zone and the Packers trailing 24-6. A score might have made things interesting. The stop made a comeback impossible. Dontayvion Wicks dropped what would have been touchdown pass one play before the fourth down stop.
Game balls
Offense — WR Jayden Reed: He made a tough catch on a 41-yarder to end the first half, and his late conversion on 4th-and-5 extended a drive. His 32-yarder in the third quarter set up a field goal.
Defense — DE Kingsley Enagbare: His late tackle for loss on Kalif Raymond helped set up a punt. The Packers finished with only three tackles for loss and four quarterback hits.
Special teams — P Daniel Whelan: Both of his punts ended up inside the 20-yard line, including a 51-yarder. His net average was 42.0 yards.
Key stat
1-for-4: The Packers finished with just one touchdown on four red zone trips, including three straight failures to start the game. Green Bay kicked two short field goals and had a fourth down run stuffed inside the red zone. The touchdown didn’t arrive until late in the fourth. Too many points left on the field.
Deciding factor
Pick-six: The Packers trailed 10-3 and were right in it late in the first half. Jordan Love’s pick-six — while under pressure and attempting to check the ball down to Josh Jacobs — changed everything. Suddenly, the Lions led 17-3, and then took the ball to start the half and marched for another score. Game over.
Jordan Love watch
While playing through a groin injury, Love completed 23 of 39 passes for 273 yards and an interception. His pick-six changed the game. Love wasn’t sacked, but his mobility looked limited. His stat-line was drastically affected by six different drops, including at least one dropped touchdown. Love’s passer rating finished at 69.7 — well below average and indicative of the performance overall.
Play of the game
https://twitter.com/packers/status/1853197659235889292
Early on, the Packers got a big stop when Arron Mosby and Rashan Gary combined for a third-down sack.
Injury updates
Defensive lineman Colby Wooden exited the game with a shoulder injury.
What’s next
A much-needed bye week. Jordan Love played through a groin injury but was clearly limited. Josh Jacobs battled through an ankle injury. Jaire Alexander, Evan Williams and Josh Myers missed the game. Kenny Clark and Elgton Jenkins have played through lingering injuries all season. Matt LaFleur’s team needs to get healthy and find a way to catch fire coming out of the bye. The Packers go to Chicago to play the Bears on Sunday, Nov. 17.
