Packers sweep the Lions to clinch the North
The Packers won 31-24 vs Detroit at Ford Field to win the NFC North for the second year in a row and are currently the #1 seed in the NFC.
The Lions got the ball first and drove downfield for a touchdown. The Packers answered with a TD on their own opening drive and scored another TD after stopping Detroit. The Lions scored to tie the game at 14-14 at halftime. The Packers scored a pair of touchdowns in the second half to go up 28-14. After Detroit scored, the Packers needed some points and got a clutch 58-yard field goal from Mason Crosby. The Lions drove down for a Field Goal of their own but could not recover the onside kick, nor could they stop GB from getting a first down and running out the clock.
Thoughts about this game:
The milestones keep coming for the Packers. Davante Adams caught a TD pass for the 8th game in a row, breaking Don Hutson’s franchise record for consecutive games with a TD reception, and setting a franchise record for scoring a TD of any kind in 8 straight games, breaking the record shared with Hutson, Paul Hornung, and Ahman Green.
Aaron Rodgers didn’t get to 40 TD passes in this game, but he did have 3 in this game plus a rushing TD. He also didn’t throw an interception or get sacked once again.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling had some nice catches, including the TD reception, which was a great play. Tavon Austin made his first 2 receptions in Packer uniform and Equanimeous St. Brown had a nice catch in the game as well. Along with Allen Lazard and TE Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis, the Packers have receivers capable of stepping in and making plays, especially if teams will try to take Adams out of the equation. No one has been able to shut down Adams much lately, but any contributions by the other receivers will be huge moving forward.
Aaron Jones continues to be an effective runner. He had only 15 carries and his longest run was for only 11 yards, but he averaged 4.6 yards per carry, and that’s not bad at all.
Mason Crosby was clutch today for the Packers. He lined up for a 53-yard attempt but a false-start penalty moved them back 5 yards, making it a 58-yard attempt, which he converted. That ties his career-high and matches the franchise record for the longest field goal in team history.
One thing the Packers have to work on is their coverage on special teams. They gave up 2 touchdowns on punt returns already this season, and after Crosby made that clutch FG, Jamal Agnew took off for a 71-yard kickoff return to the GB 33-yard line. Crosby was the one who got the tackle.
Robert Tonyan continues to produce for the Packers. He surpassed 500 receiving yards in the game, scored another TD, his 9th of the season, and his reception and dive for a first down clinched the game.
The Packers won four straight games over the Lions, their second straight sweep of the season series and third in the last five seasons. The Packers now lead the all-time series 104-72-7.
The Packers entered the game as the #2 seed in the NFC. With this win and the New Orleans Saints losing 24-21 on the road vs the Philadelphia Eagles, the Packers currently hold the top seed in the conference. It’s a great feeling but there is still a long way to go.
The Packers are in a great position, but now they have to keep winning. It’s a great win but they have a short week to celebrate it. Next up for the Packers is a home game vs the Carolina Panthers on Saturday night. Let’s start and end the week with a win! Have a great week Packer fans!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #NFCNorthChampions #GregGoshaw @gg901
