Unofficial Green Bay Packers 2019 Season Motto: “A win is a win.”
Indeed it is. Sometimes the refs giveth and sometimes the refs taketh away.
The first quarter of Monday Night Football at Lambeau Field was uglier than any other Q1 so far this season. The Detroit Lions did a great job right off the bat demoralizing the Packers defense with some razzle-dazzle by executing a flea flicker that resulted in a 66-yard reception by WR Kenny Golladay that also happened to be the longest play from the line of scrimmage for the Lions so far this season. Packers’ S Will Redmond was partially to blame for that happening.
As expected, there was plenty of action for the Packers RBs. While last week against the Dallas Cowboys was Aaron Jones’ shining moment, Jamaal Williams stepped up as the leading rusher of the night with 14 carries yielding 104 yards. Williams also claimed 32 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in the 2nd quarter. Williams’ touchdown reception came after an extremely costly penalty for the Lions special teams for having 12 men on the field. 4th down instantly became 1st down in the red zone and Rodgers wasted no time taking advantage of it. The Lions are tied at 4th for the most special teams penalties this season.
Jones was less productive with 60 total yards and a fumble early in the game. Jones could have had a TD reception in the 2nd quarter but he ended up dropping the pass. He was wide open on the play and it was his first dropped pass this season and the third of his career.
.@AaronRodgers12 DIME 💰
@AllenLazard with a 35-yard TD to make it a one-score game! #GoPackGo
📺: #DETvsGB on ESPN #MNF
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Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/kc6zw37CNI pic.twitter.com/qC9dr3nEgS— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2019
With the absence of WR Davante Adams, QB Aaron Rodgers threw to 9 different players. Also very proud to see WR Allen Lazard as the top receiver of the night with 65 yards and a touchdown. At one point, there was reasonable doubt that he would even make the practice squad, much less make the primary squad and now he’s showing that he belongs there. Very excited to see the trust and chemistry between Lazard and Rodgers build.
He is another prime example of a young player this season that is stepping up — which reflects well on GM Brian Gutekunst. Except, of course, for the fact that high-dollar TE Jimmy Graham disappointed yet again with a total of 17 yards. Meanwhile, TE Marcedes Lewis continues to fill the gap at a fraction of the price.
Mason Crosby seems to be the player of the game from my perspective. He went 3 for 3 with a long of 48 yards in the 3rd quarter that tied the game.
The win puts the Packers at 5-1 and they’ll keep their top spot in the NFC North. The Lions fell to 2-2-1 and are in last place in the division — although this is their only divisional game so far this season. At 5-1, Matt LaFleur is the only first-year coach this season with a winning record. Despite their loss, the Lions, under second year coach Matt Patricia, are playing their best football in awhile. The NFC North continues to be the toughest division in the league.