Detroit Lions (3-13-1) – Green Bay Packers (13-4) : 37-30
Like its season, Detroit fought with its weapons. And it paid off. Aggressive in defense, daring in attack, Matt Campbell’s men brought down the number 1 ranked team in the NFC. With running backs in difficulty (99 yards in total on the ground), the aerial game provided the spectacle with feigned games on the program. Author of a new solid performance, Amon-Ra St. Brown (8 receptions, 109 yards, 1 touchdown) had fun in the middle of a hard-pressed defense.
Assured of a week of rest, Green Bay made start its usual holders to allow them to keep the pace, before offering playing time to the second knives after the break. It is thanks to them and to the 17 points registered in 2e half time they were able to return, but the two interceptions launched by Jordan Love (10/17, 134 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions) in the last minutes were fatal to hopes of a possible return.
Before the cut, Aaron Rodgers (14/18, 138 yards, 2 touchdowns) secured a 2e consecutive season without interception launched against a division rival. By the way, he allowed Davante Adams (5 receptions, 55 yards) to win the franchise record for yards gained at reception. But it was defensively that the Packers sinned. 404 yards conceded, no stolen ball, the squad took water in the center of the field where De’Vondre Campbell sorely missed.
Detroit pleasures itself
For once, Green Bay started with the first possession. And for the one and only time this season, they scored a touchdown on their inaugural streak. The returns of David Bakhtiari and Josh Myers on the offensive line are good news as the playoffs approach, but their integration did not come without some adjustments and approximations. Taking their time, the Packers end up going up 74 yards, converting the passage 4 third attempt, to open the scoring on a pass from Aaron Rodgers to Allen Lazard (5 receptions, 75 yards, 2 touchdowns).
This does not deter Detroit, however. The season has been complicated, the workforce is decimated, but they do not intend to leave this 2021 campaign without a fight. A lot of pressure in defense on Rodgers, feint of punt (failure), the beginnings are complicated. The light comes on their second series thanks to a feigned game towards Kalif Raymond (4 receptions, 101 yards, 1 touchdown) which traps the opposing rear guard.
The @Lions with the TRICK PLAY 75-YARD TD! #OnePride
????: #GBvsDET on FOX
????: NFL app pic.twitter.com/p6rjhlz8eJ— NFL (@NFL) January 9, 2022
In this little game of cat and mouse, the two teams answer each other blow for blow. And it is the Lions who continue their momentum. Everything is a story of 4e attempt. Taking advantage of the failure of Matt LaFleur’s men, they regain possession towards the midfield. The connection Jared Goff (21/30, 238 yards, 2 touchdowns) – Amon-Ra St. Brown is running at full speed and the rookie converts the domination on a final try. Stung, in difficulty in defense, the visitors change their minds. Bakhtiari gives way to Yosh Nijman and AJ Dillon (14 races, 63 yards + 1 reception, 4 yards) is more involved on the ground. Rodgers does not neglect the aerial game and heals his statistics with a view to a possible new title of best player. If Davante Adams takes the opportunity to mark the history of the franchise with his record, it is once again Lazard who is the conclusion. Unfortunately, Mason Crosby does not pass his transformation and Green Bay is found behind at the break following the field goal of Riley Patterson (17-13).
Green Bay runs …
Quite a bit back on the sidelines, Matt LaFleur broods his anger. He has something. His defense has just conceded 219 yards in one half. Unworthy of a contender for the final crown. The return of the locker room will not make him fall again. The replacements take action and things don’t get better. Jordan Love is sacked, Juwann Winfree loses a ball after a reception. In 2 actions, Green Bay collapses. Detroit takes the opportunity to add to the bill. Always with panache, Brock Wright being at the conclusion of a new feigned game.
The @Lions pull off ANOTHER trick play! #OnePride
????: #GBvsDET on FOX
????: NFL app pic.twitter.com/L5C6Gek8qP— NFL (@NFL) January 9, 2022
… but cracks in the last minutes
Galvanized, the Packers seize the opportunity to take the lead, a first since the inaugural series. Josiah Deguara (3 receptions, 66 yards, 1 touchdown) is receiving a short pass from his quarterback and takes advantage of the good blocks in front of him to reach the Promised Land 62 yards away. With Love’s successful 2-point transformation, Green Bay thinks they have a decisive advantage (27-30). This was without counting a last burst of their division rivals. In 40 seconds, Detroit turned the end of the game to his advantage. So far ineffective, D’Andre Swift (7 races, 30 yards, 1 touchdown + 4 receptions, 16 yards) finds the way to the end-zone (34-30). Three actions later, CJ Moore takes advantage of Amari Rodgers’ soapy hands to regain possession. It was copied a few seconds later by Tracy Walker III, whose interception put an end to the debate. 37-30 Detroit, who in the meantime had the opportunity to add a new field goal to inflate the addition and afford a prestigious outing.