Remember when the Detroit Lions couldn’t beat the Green Bay Packers on the road. Regardless of the circumstances, that has slowly become a thing of the past. You will recall that overwhelming statistic. From 1992-2014, the Men from Motown lost an astounding 24 straight games on the Pack’s home fields (including playoffs). A total of 21 of those contests came at Lambeau Field, and three of those outings took place in Milwaukee. That’s an amazing run no matter how you break it down. But two years ago, the Lions walked into the “Land of Cheeseheads” and came away with an 18-16 win.
And on Monday night in Green Bay, Jim Caldwell’s team made it look easy against the depleted Packers, 30-17.
Lions cash in
The Green Bay Packers were hoping to snap a brief two-game skid on Monday night at home against the Lions. Instead, only a touchdown on the final play of the game and with zero time left on the clock made the final score look somewhat respectable. Detroit rolled up 417 total yards and controlled the clock for 36:55 of the contest. Quarterback Matthew Stafford hit on 26 of his 33 throws for whopping 361 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Caldwell’s club committed only one turnover on the way to snapping a three-game losing streak.
“We went into this game just thinking this game needs to be a statement game,” explained Lions’ wide receiver Golden Tate to ESPN’s Michael Goldstein after the 13-point victory.
“We need to click collectively from all parameters, and I think that's what we did for the most part, which was very important.”
Green Bay defense fizzling
On the other hand, Mike Mccarthy’s squad generated little offense. While quarterback Brett Hundley wound up throwing for respectable 245 yards, he failed to test the Lions’ defense downfield.
With wideouts such as Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams at his disposal, you would think the young signal-caller would take advantage of their talent. The trio combined for 16 catches, good for only 146 yards and zero scores. Cobb caught five passes for 58 yards, with 46 of those yards coming on a catch and run. And the Green Bay Packers’ ground attack stalled as well, running for only 78 yards on 17 attempts.
Hundley totaled 22 yards and one of the team’s two rushing touchdowns. But this was a conservative attack that failed to threaten Detroit's suspect run defense adequately.
Next Sunday, the Pack is back on the road as they travel to Solider Field for the second meeting of the season with the Chicago Bears.
