Packers 31, Lions 24: Game # 13 ( 2020 )

[D6]

Thoughts in ****

www.mlive.com/lions/2020/12/quick-observations-matthew-stafford-injures-ribs-as-lions-fall-to-packers.html

Quick observations: Matthew Stafford injures ribs as Lions fall to Packers

Updated Dec 13, 2020; Posted Dec 13, 2020




By Kyle Meinke | [e-mail]

Kyle Meinke - mlive.com
Read articles written by Kyle Meinke for mlive.com.


DETROIT -- Aaron Rodgers was almost perfect. Matthew Stafford did everything he could to keep the Lions apace, and was successful for a while. He led a long touchdown drive that tied up the game at halftime, and another that drew Detroit within seven points midway through the fourth quarter.

But there was no room for error. Not with one of the NFL’s best offenses teeing off on one of the NFL’s worst defenses. And then Stafford made an error, staying upright instead of sliding on a 6-yard scramble in the fourth quarter.

Stafford took a big hit to his ribs from Kenny Clark and immediately began grabbing at the left side of his chest. He stayed in the game for one more play, a 2-yard touchdown run by Kerryon Johnson that closed Detroit within 28-21, but went to the locker room while the defense was on the field.

He tried two different times to throw warmup passes and go back in the game, but was ultimately ruled out by the medical staff. And without their quarterback against one of the league’s best, Detroit lost 31-24 on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

The Lions are now 5-8 on the season, and trail Arizona by two games for the final playoff spot with just three to go. Green Bay clinched the NFC North title with the win, its second in a row, and has now won four straight games against Detroit overall.

Chase Daniel finished the game at quarterback and did make things interesting. Working with a short field thanks to an excellent kick return by Jamal Agnew, Daniel hit Marvin Jones with a 23-yard pass inside the 10-yard line, then scrambled into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown that would have drawn Detroit within three points in the final minutes. But Matt Nelson was flagged for holding, the TD came back and Detroit settled for a 32-yard field goal that cut Green Bay’s lead to 31-24 with 1:52 left.

Miles Killebrew couldn’t quite come up with the ensuing onside kick, the defense still couldn’t get stops, and Green Bay was able to bleed the rest of the clock without Detroit ever touching the football again.

Stafford’s effort was valiant throughout the game. Detroit’s defense was overwhelmed from the start, but Stafford strung together touchdown drives of 11, 11 and 13 plays that helped keep the Lions close, and their defense off the field. He finished 24 of 34 passing for 244 yards, one touchdown and a rating of 100.6.

But it just wasn’t enough. Not against a Packers offense that was almost unstoppable against Detroit’s outmanned defense. Green Bay averaged 9.8 yards in the first quarter, and Rodgers threw just two incomplete passes in the entire first half.

The Lions did tie up the game before halftime on a 3-yard run by D’Andre Swift, but Green Bay took control with a dominating third quarter. Rodgers led the Packers on a 14-play touchdown drive to open the half, and ran in the touchdown himself from 6 yards out. Then Detroit went three-and-out, and the Packers marched for another touchdown.

The Packers ran 21 plays in the third quarter (to Detroit’s three) and controlled the clock for 13:39 (to Detroit’s 1:21). Rodgers found former Lions tight end Robert Tonyan for a 4-yard touchdown that stretched Green Bay’s lead to 28-14 with 12:07 left, and while Detroit was able to later close that deficit to one score, Green Bay was never seriously in trouble again.

**** Gutsy effort by the Lions. The game turned out closer than I thought it would. The 3rd QTR is where the Packers separated themselves from this Lions team that is missing too many parts. It only got worse on the injury front after Darryl Roberts and eventually Matthew Stafford went down. The Lions being on the wrong end of two officiating decisions that weren't reversed by Instant Replay made a difficult task near impossible. Especially, factoring Stafford's rib ( s ) injury. ****

Let’s get to some observations:

-- If you are wondering why Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia don’t have jobs, just pop in the tape from this game. Because the talent differential between Green Bay’s offense and Detroit’s defense was astounding. You know, that defense Matt Patricia was supposed to revive. Now they’ve left it in shambles. The Lions coudn’t rush Aaron Rodgers, and were soft in coverage. That’s not usually a very good combination against a future Hall of Famer. No wonder Green Bay was able to run 26 of the first 29 plays of the second half.

**** It was fitting that former Lions UDRFA TE Robert Tonyan caught the Packers TD that put them up by 14 points and that Tonyan caught the game sealing 3rd Down pass from Aaron Rodgers that resulted in a 1st Down. Bob Quinn wasn't patient in trying to develop Tonyan. Eventually, the Lions spent pick # 8 in 2019 on T.J. Hockenson. Though Hockenson is becoming one of the best TEs in the NFL, the Lions could have used pick # 8 in 2019 more efficiently if Tonyan was kept and developed. ****

The linebackers were especially bad. Jahlani Tavai, my goodness, what are you doing man? That’s a former second-round pick. Approaching the end of his second season, he’s playing like one of the worst linebackers in the league. On Sunday, he was beat for the touchdown that made it 28-14 early in the fourth quarter. The Lions have serious work to do all over that defense, and that’s especially true at linebacker. Jamie Collins might be the only guy who has a role next year at all.

**** Jahlini Tavai was badly fooled on at least a couple of play action fakes. He's improving getting off blocks and tackling in confined areas. On the other hand, he's struggling with mental and / or recognition facets of LB play and his limitations with speed and in space were on display in this game. ****

-- The Lions are also paying the price for Bob Quinn choosing not to prioritize his pass rush in recent drafts. Everson Griffen has been good in recent weeks, but landed on the COVID list on Saturday night. That dealt another blow to the edge, where Trey Flowers and Julian Okwara have been out for weeks. And it showed. Aaron Rodgers is good no matter what defenses throw at him, but the Lions didn’t throw much of anything at him. Austin Bryant hit him once, and that was it. The MVP candidate doesn’t need help, but the Lions gave it to him anyway. Rodgers’ final line: 26 of 33 passing for 290 yards, three touchdowns and one more on the ground. His passer rating checked in at a toasty 133.6.

**** Interestingly, the Packers focused on limiting Romeo Okwara as a pass rusher with extra blocking ( including chip blocking ) more than any previous opponent. Okwara made his presence felt on occasion in this game. Yet, it's evident that he's not close to being an elite pass rusher. ****

-- The last time D’Andre Swift suited up for a game, he was seen racking up 149 total yards while making his first career start against Washington. Then he was diagnosed with a brain injury, later contracted an illness and missed three straight games. On Sunday, he finally made his return. He did so off the bench, playing behind Adrian Peterson, but was effective once he took the field. He accounted for 36 yards on six touches in the first half, the last of which was a 3-yard touchdown run that tied up the game at 14-all heading into intermission. With Green Bay shredding Detroit’s defense and set to get the ball to open the second half, that was a huge play.

D’Andre Swift now has seven touchdowns, tying him with running back James Jones (1983) for sixth-most by a rookie in franchise history. He finished the game with a team-high 24 rushing yards (on seven carries) and added four catches for 26 yards.

**** Good overall job by D'Andre Swift in his first game back. His health is a huge key for the Lions in the coming seasons. ****

-- Listen, Amani Oruwariye has done some nice things this season. The Lions tried to replace Darius Slay by spending big on Desmond Trufant and drafting big on Jeff Okudah, yet it is Oruwariye who has been Detroit’s best corner this season. (It helps he was the only one of the three to even play against Green Bay.) Having said that, Oruwariye got the Aaron Rodgers treatment on Sunday, getting beat for both touchdown passes in the first half -- including the 56-yard touchdown catch by Davante Adams -- then opening the second half with a defensive holding on third down. Green Bay wound up going 14 plays and 75 yards for a touchdown.

**** There was holding on that play. But why did it take so long for a flag to be thrown? This reminded me of the very late Unnecessary Roughness flag against Danny Sheldon in the Colts game. The holding call was the difference in the Packers being off the field on a 3 and out if not called late, compared to them ending up scoring on a very long drive that drained the Lions Defense ( when combined with the Lions going 3 and out right after LONG time consuming drive). ****

-- Matthew Stafford helped the Lions hang around longer than they probably should have with some near-perfect quarterbacking of his own, which is especially remarkable considering the duress he was under. He was sacked four times in the first half, and much of the pressure was leaking through the right side, where the Lions were missing starters like Tyrell Crosby and Halapoulivaati Vaitai. Matt Nelson has been a nice story, going from undrafted as a defensive lineman last year to holding his own last week as an offesive lineman -- and against Khalil Mack, no less. But Nelson struggled more in this one, including getting beat for a third-down sack in the first half, then getting flagged for holding on the touchdown run by Daniel late in the fourth quarter.

**** The injuries on the Right Side of the Lions O-Line caught up to the Lions as this game went on.

Huge props to Taylor Decker for his performance in this game. All of the other O-Lineman gave up at least one sack.

Kudos to Packers DT-NT Kenny Clark. Even well before his legal hit on Matthew Stafford that led to Stafford leaving the game, Clark was making a huge impact against the run and as pass rusher. Many of his plays don't show up on the stat sheet. John Penisini had a strong game for the Lions vs. the run. I thought Penisini and Jayron Kearse were the Lions best 2 Defensive players in this game. But Clark was on another level. ****

-- You won’t find it in the box score, but my goodness what a pitch-and-catch from Matthew Stafford to Marvin Jones midway through the fourth quarter. Jones was double-covered along the left sideline, and Stafford dropped that ball into the only window it could go from about 34 yards out. Jones has some of the best body control of any receiver I’ve ever covered, and he showed it here too, dragging those tippy-toes as he spun out of bounds. The officials ruled the play incomplete, and upheld the call upon review. Still. What a play.

**** Based on other NFL Replay decisions ( the standard that seems to be used ), the call on the field should been reversed. It was indeed a tremendous throw and catch!. ****

-- Cornerback Darryl Roberts earned the start on the outside due to the injuries to Desmond Trufant and Jeff Okudah, neither of whom played. Then Roberts went down himself, forcing Mike Ford into the game. Ford usually contributes only on special teams, but treaded water while he was out there, including breaking up one Aaron Rodgers pass into the end zone late in the fourth quarter.

**** On the other hand, Mike Ford might have been out of position on the game sealing reception to Robert Tonyan. So much depends on who was responsible for Tonyan on the play. ****

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This new thread is a continuation of the following thread:

Lions vs. Packers preview: Game # 13 ( 2020 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/837/lions-packers-preview-game-2020

[D6]

Inside the locker room: Lions try to explain Green Bay’s abundance of clock-draining drives

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On the Packers long TD drive to begin the 3rd QTR, the Lions Pass Defense couldn't make the play to stop the Packers from converting on 3rd Down. The end result is on the next Packers drive, following the Lions going 3 and out, the Lions run Defense became ineffective.

The toll of the Lions injuries at DE, including Everson Griffen being out because of recent COVID-19 test results, was immense. That much more with Danny Sheldon on IR and the injuries at CB.

Darrell Bevell and the Lions medical staff made the right decision not to put Matthew Stafford back into the game.

[D6]

Detroit Lions' loss puts an end to Darrell Bevell's head coach candidacy

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I'm interested in seeing what transpires in the final 3 games. But right now, I'm leaning towards the opinion that it's in best interest of the Lions to promote Darrell Bevell to Head Coach ( w/ o the Interim Tag ) if the plan becomes retain Matthew Stafford for the 2021 season. I am highly confident that Stafford would be MUCH more comfortable remaining with the Lions with Bevell as HC than if he had to start all over in Detroit with yet another Head Coach ( and system ). The play of Stafford under Bevell in the first 2 games with Bevell as interim HC has been better overall than the play of Stafford in the first 11 games ( from a median or average standpoint ).

[frenchylions]

"The game turned out closer than I thought it would."
And way closer than I thought
That said, the Packers have been controlling the pace of the game for the most part, Rodgers and the Packers were never cornered.

Tavai is not a starter caliber, we all know that by now.
The safeties did not help much in the passing game either.
I guess the stock of Oruwaryie is down after the last couple of games.
Tremendous kick return by Jamal Agnew at the end, could have been a game changer.

"Okwara made his presence felt on occasion in this game. Yet, it's evident that he's not close to being an elite pass rusher."
As you higlighted it in the preview, I focused on both matchups (Okwara vs Wagner and Ragnow vs Clark)
Okwara moved around a bit but played LE most of the time and Wagner did a pretty good job controlling him imho. Romeo Okwara only tried to bull rush or speed rush Wagner with little effect. He only disturbed the backfield a couple of times...not enough.
Two more points for discussion's sake :
- lack of awareness on certain passing situations, got stuck in his block and never raised his arms to hinder Rodgers on sideline passes. (if Stafford has a tendency to throw inside the numbers, Rodgers has a tendency to throw outside the numbers)
- he didn't seem much involved in the running game, often running into his block and calling it a day.
Based solely on this game, he's not worth the big bucks.

"Kudos to Packers DT-NT Kenny Clark."
In the pass rush, Frank Ragnow made a great job, keeping Kenny Clark at bay. Kenny Clark was more successful against Jonah Jackson who must beef up his game.

"The injuries on the Right Side of the Lions O-Line caught up to the Lions as this game went on."
Aboushi and Nelson is not what we could call a "starting line" 

[frenchylions]

I have found the controversial penalty on Oruwariye in the 3rd quarter with the coach cam (3-7 - 14'10").
There seems to be a slight contact on top of the screen ... but a penalty ? 

[D6]

Thanks for sharing the coach cam slow motion and your thoughts about the game from Monday. I plan on getting back to that later this week after I review some plays again.

On the TV telecast, it looked like a legit penalty. The question I have at this time is on this coach cam video. do you see the actual flag that was thrown? I don't.

[D6]

Detroit Lions stock watch: Matthew Stafford makes it; Darrell Bevell's chances dropping

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Before Chris Spelman became part of the Lions front office and part of the Lions GM and HC search, I would have agreed that the loss to the Packers hurt Darrell Bevell's chances of becoming the Lions HC ( without the Interim Tag ). With Spielman now a key advisor, I don't think that Bevell's W-L record will be as much of a factor in the decision making process than it would have without a person with a football background as a central part of the decision making process.

[D6]

Detroit Lions grades vs. Packers: Matthew Stafford shines, but defense cannot do its part

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I went back to look at some plays again.

Frenchy, I agree with you that Frank Ragnow had more success against Kenny Clark than Jonah Jackson. However, on the last play of the 2nd QTR, it looked like Ragnow tackled Clark ( Holding wasn't called ) on what became an eventual coverage sack by Clark. Also, on the 1st and 10 play in which Matthew Stafford overthrew Marvin Jones ( mentioned in the Dave Birkett Grades Article ) after the Packers tied it at 7-7, I believe Stafford used bad throwing technique because he was concerned Clark was going to impact the throw. Ragnow did a good job recovering on the play after Clark got the advantage. Stafford might have underestimated Ragnow's effectiveness level on the play.

As valuable as 2nd Half Timeouts are, I strongly believe Darrell Bevell made the right decision in challenging the incomplete pass to Marvin Jones sideline call. IMHO, at least 8 out of 10 times, that play woulf have been reversed. The risk / reward of challenging that call was favorable for the Lions.

[D6]

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Frenchy, I agree that the overall impact of Romeo Okwara wasn't as good as the raw pressure number. Having said that, I thought that Rick Wagner was the Packers weakest link on their Offensive Line in this game. Wagner needed and got more help against Okwara ( and overall against the Lions ) in this game than any other RT in the previous 12 games.

[D6]

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Frenchy, this Tweet reinforces what you expressed about Amani Oruwariye's stock being down.

The first eventual TD Oruwariye was beaten on ( Davante Adams ) was one of Oruwariye's worst plays in his 2 seasons with the Lions. The 2nd one ( Marcus Valdes-Scantling ) was good coverage but an even better play by the WR ( and QB ).

The Defensive Holding by Oruwariye ( against MVS ) on the 3rd and 7 play on the Packers 1st set of downs in the 3rd QTR was arguably the turning point of the game. The Lions never recovered from that play. That's not an excuse, it's a reality.

[D6]

Snap counts: Lions forced to move pieces around without Everson Griffen on the edge

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Duron Harmon could have taken a better angle on Davante Adams' TD in which Amani Oruwariye was out of sync.

I don't expect Harmon to be back with the Lions in 2021. I wouldn't mind seeing Tracy Walker getting plenty of snaps at FS in the remaining games this season. Walker was more effective and consistent as a FS in his first two seasons than when being used in other roles this season.

On the other hand, I think Jayron Kearse had improved as the season has moved along. Kearse is someone I hope ends up re-signing with the Lions.

Regarding T.J. Hockenson, even factoring in the holding penalty on a running play, I thought this was one of, if not the best, run blocking games he's had.

Major change is coming at LB in 2021. Maybe, even more than at WR, a unit only one player on the 53 man roster is under contract for the 2021 season.