It’s easy to dismiss a win over the Lions given their general perpetual state of disarray and mismanagement, but the Packers showed they can capitalize on weaknesses and take advantages of opportunities when presented.
While QB Aaron Rodgers had a respectable performance with 240 yards and two touchdowns with 18 of 30 attempts completed, the real star was RB Aaron Jones who managed 168 yards and two touchdowns.
Where last week against the Vikings was mostly a pass-heavy dominance on the part of the Packers, the Lions game showed how well-rounded and balanced the current offense is by dominating the Lions with the run. Almost half of Jones’ rushing yardage came from a 75-yard run in the third quarter. Jones also managed a 30-yard catch showing he does in fact live up to the hype. It’s Ahman Green all over again — although hopefully without the rap sheet.
Also, to give credit where it is due, Marquez Valdes-Scantling seems to be on the up-and-up so far this season and is on his way to fulfilling the high expectations for him that just did not come to fruition last season. He was targeted 7 times, the most of any receiver, as Rodgers aimed to quell any doubt about their chemistry together and his trust for Valdes-Scantling. Of course, only three of those targets produced catches, but one was a 41-yard reception which put him at 64-yards for the game. How long Rodgers will continue to target a receiver that brings in 3 of 7 targets remains to be seen. Even though Rodgers targeted eight players on passing, 1/3rd of his incompletes were to MVS(one of those were deflected and another arguably overthrown).
Aaron Jones’ 75-yard run was the longest of his career:
WHAT A WAY TO START THE SECOND HALF!
A career-long 75-yard TD run for @Showtyme_33. 😎#DETvsGB | #GoPackGo
📺 FOX
📱 https://t.co/2UxGSiVlvn https://t.co/WCnlgQTTQC— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 20, 2020
On the defensive side, CB Chandon Sullivan’s pick-six was also something for the highlight reels:
🚨 PICK-SIX 🚨
GET YOURSELF A LAMBEAU LEAP, @showtimesully10!
#DETvsGB | #GoPackGo📺 FOX
📱 https://t.co/2UxGSiVlvn https://t.co/n76aWr0TC2— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 20, 2020
TE Robert Tonyan’s TD reception showing that Packers are learning how to use tight-ends in the redzone this season:
.@AaronRodgers12 finds @Robtonjr for a @Packers TD!
📺: #DETvsGB on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/gdttfTQjuY pic.twitter.com/XVS3QayByD— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2020
The Packers’ 2019 offense got off to a slow and rocky start, but week 1 and 2 of 2020 is showing that not to be the case despite no preseason this year and a few personnel changes. Next week will be a much tougher test as they travel to take on the New Orleans Saints.
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It’s the Year 3 (?) Defence that’s still the problem. Soft in the middle for passes and runs.
One thing they need to stop doing is giving up first possession TD’s.
2 is a concern. 3 is a pattern.
The other thing is what i praised them for last season. There one area of improvement. They lowered defensive scoring by over 5 points a game, mainly due to improved red zone dense.
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So far (it’s early) this season they are giving up 27.5 points a game. But again….too early to call, just not a good start. It won’t get easier against the Saints, even if M Thomas is still out.
We could pick out reasons, find blame for poor target catch percentage. But it seems Adams doesn’t ever have that problem. I think this season he’s 17/20, or a stellar 85%. Lazard is a very respectable 77%. One of the biggest luxury’s a QB can have is knowing his receiver will be where he is supposed to be.
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One catch that won’t get noted in a article because it was out of bounds, is MVS’s terrific grab with 54 seconds before halftime. I bring it up because it was a great catch nevertheless.
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In case you missed it in the 2nd play of the game. Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage (T Willy school of tackling graduates) went beast mode tackling…or “bumping” into TJ Hockenson before allowing him to advance another 14 yards.
You can also watch Amos high level coverage skills trying to prevent Marvin Hall Jr’s TD catch late in the 4th.
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I have a bunch more to go but i lost interest….sorry
Im not on the NO hype train. Thomas most likely not playing. Brees has older qb issues which doesnt bode well when you’re facing a team that has pass rushers like GB has. Kamara is not the Kamara from two years ago. No fans in the Superdome. Pack should comfortably win this game. That will be 5000 dollars for my input. Thank you.
Skinny…after this game i’ll have some facts to share about this team, mainly the defense.
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But i will do so free of charge. You’re welcome.