Packers lose in turnover-ridden performance in Detroit 15-9

DETROIT, Mich. (WSAW) -The Green Bay Packers losing streak hit five Sunday, falling to Detroit 15-9.

On the Lions’ first drive of the game, they utilized good field position off the opening kickoff to drive deep into Packers territory. Inside the Green Bay ten-yard line, the Packers’ defense stood tall, forcing a fourth down stop to end the Lions’ drive.

Green Bay took the ball and also proceeded to drive down the field, albeit at a cost. Both wide receiver Romeo Doubs and lineman Jon Runyan went down with injuries on the drive. Green Bay did march chunk play after chunk play, also getting deep into the red zone. However, on first-and-goal from the Detroit five, Aaron Rodgers threw a pass off the helmet of a Lions’ player that was ultimately intercepted by Kerby Joseph, ending what was otherwise an impressive drive for the Packers.

Green Bay would get the ball back in the first quarter, utilizing a big 47-yard play from Aaron Rodgers to Allen Lazard to get to the Lions’ one-yard line. However, on fourth down on the two, Rodgers would be picked for the second time in the game, attempting to hit his tackle David Bakhtiari on a pass. Lions number-two overall draft pick Aiden Hutchinson came up with the red zone pick, giving Detroit the ball back.

After stopping the Lions’ offense again, Green Bay would take the ball back. Third down conversions to Christian Watson and Allen Lazard would help the Packers get on the Detroit side of the 50. However, on fourth-and-three, Green Bay would go for it again. Rodgers appeared to complete a pass to Lazard for a conversion, but after a Lions’ challenge, the play would be overturned and the drive would stall on the Detroit 38.

With the half dwindling down, Detroit would move the ball with urgency on offense. Lions QB Jared Goff would find Tom Kennedy for a 16-yard gain. A late hit by Jaire Alexander would tack another 15 yards onto that. Detroit would get to the Packers’ one before Goff found Shane Zylstra for a touchdown pass with 15 seconds left in the half. The extra point drew a flag on Green Bay, resulting in the Lions going for two. Jamal Williams ran in the two-point conversion to make it 8-0, which was the score at the half.

The second half brought more of the same for the Packers on offense. Rodgers had a pass to Samori Toure in the end zone broken up by Joseph, forcing a punt. Then, after a Jaire Alexander interception, Rodgers threw his third interception, once again deep in Lions’ territory. Joseph once again grabbed the pick for Detroit, keeping it at 8-0.

Finally, late in the third, the Packers were able to crack into the end zone. A seven-play, 54-yard drive ended in Rodgers finding Lazard on 20-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, making it 8-6.

The Lions got the ball back and put together the drive of the day. In 13 plays, the Lions stomped down the field, riding Williams as they went. At the three, Goff connected with James Mitchell for a touchdown. A key extra point put the Lions up two possessions at 15-6.

The Packers’ offense continued humming when they got the ball back. Another lengthy drive put the Packers deep in Lions’ territory. Unable to find the end zone, they’d settle for a 25-yard Mason Crosby field goal to cut it to a one score game at 15-9.

Detroit got the ball back with intentions to put the game away. The Lions went for it on fourth down with just over two minutes to go, but were unsuccessful. Green Bay got the ball back with exactly two minutes to go at their own 43-yard line. On a fourth-and-two, Rodgers hit Toure for 32 yards to get to the Lions’ 17. Toure would fumble the ball, but Detroit recovered it out of bounds. The Packers would have four chances to get it in the end zone, but came up short on all four attempts, ending the game 15-9.

Rodgers finished the day 23-43 for 291 yards and a touchdown, but had three costly picks. It’s the first time in Rodgers’ career with two red zone interceptions and his first with three in a game since 2017. Rodgers also led the team in rushing with 40 yards. Lazard led the Packers’ receiving effort with four catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.

It was a brutal day for Packers’ injuries as the team saw Romeo Doubs, Jon Runyan, Eric Stokes, Rashan Gary, Christian Watson, David Bakhtiati and Aaron Jones all leave the game with injuries.

The Packers lose their fifth in a row and drop the 3-6 on the season. Six losses is already the most by a Packers team in the Lafleur era, still with eight games to play. Detroit improves to 2-6.

The Packers will return home next week after playing their last three on the road. They’ll face the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau with a 3:25 kickoff.

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