The Green Bay Packers gave up 24 straight points — including seven on an interception returned for a touchdown off Jordan Love late in the first half — and failed to engineer a comeback in a 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions at a wet and windy Lambeau Field on Sunday.
The Packers are now 6-3 overall but 0-2 in the NFC North entering the Week 10 bye.
Here’s what went right, what went wrong and what it means for the Packers moving forward:
What went right
— The Packers actually out-gained the Lions by 150 yards — 411 to 261. On a per play basis, the Packers also scored a decisive win — 6.6 to 4.7. Green Bay even outrushed the Lions (138-124). The stat wins just didn’t translate on the scoreboard, for a variety of reasons.
— The Packers put together a long drive and took a 3-0 lead early. The opening possession took almost eight minutes off the clock and was important for establishing the run early.
— Josh Jacobs turned 13 carries in 95 yards, good for a 7.3-yard average. He had a 37-yard run and now has a run of 25 or more yards in three straight games. Emanuel Wilson also had a 19-yard run.
— Jayden Reed turned five catches into 113 yards, including three catches of 25 or more yards.
— Jordan Love’s mobility was limited, but he didn’t take a sack and the Lions were credited with only two quarterback hits.
— The Packers defense allowed only 17 points, including just seven in the second half. The Lions punted on three straight drives in the second half and were 4-for-12 on third down overall.
What went wrong
— Jordan Love’s pick-six late in the first half turned a 10-3 game into a 17-3 advantage for the Lions at half.
— The Packers finished 1-for-4 scoring touchdowns in the red zone and 3-for-12 on third down. The Lions, meanwhile, had two red zone touchdowns and two fourth-down conversions.
— Ten more penalties. One extended a Lions scoring drive. Several others helped short-circuit drives. The Packers continue to be one of the NFL’s most penalized teams.
— The Packers fumbled three times, including twice on bad snaps. Elgton Jenkins and Love had issues in the rain executing shotgun snaps.
— The FOX broadcast credited the Packers with six drops. Four came on third down, including two in the red zone. Dontayvion Wicks had a drop in the end zone. The rain clearly affected the Packers’ ability to catch the football.
— Lions running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 138 rushing yards, 34 receiving yards and 182 total yards.
— Kicker Brandon McManus missed his first field goal as a Packer. His 46-yard attempt drifted wide left in the first half.
— Keisean Nixon gave up a touchdown pass on fourth down and a third-down conversion, and his holding penalty extended the Lions’ scoring drive to start the second half.
— Jared Goff completed his first 11 passes. He finished 18-for-22 passing and took just one sack.
What it means
The Packers will go into the midseason break at 6-3, but a pair of disappointing home losses to division rivals and lingering issues with drops, penalties and interceptions have Matt LaFleur’s team looking vulnerable with a tough second-half stretch ahead. Winning the division looks increasingly less likely, given the Lions are now 7-1 and have a win at Lambeau Field. But who knows what can happen over the final two months. Can the Packers use the bye week to heal a few important injuries and find a way to catch fire at the right time? This team looks loaded with potential, but at some point, it all has to come together and be realized for it to matter. One could argue the Packers have lost to their three best opponents so far.
Highlights
What’s next
The bye week. The Packers are 6-3 and in good shape for a playoff run, but Matt LaFleur’s team needs to get healthy and solve some of the persistent problems during the off week. Coming out of the bye, the Packers go to Chicago to play the Bears, who dropped to 4-4 on Sunday and will be coming off a home game against the New England Patriots. It’ll be important for the Packers to get back on track and secure their first division win of the season on Nov. 17.
