This past week’s Monday Night Football did not start out well for the Green Bay Packers when they dropped into a 13-0 hole against the Detroit Lions in the first half. On the very first play Mathew Stafford completed a 66-yard pass to Kenny Goladay after a flea-flicker started the play. Also early in the game, Aaron Jones lost a fumble and dropped a deep would-have-been touchdown pass on back-to-back possessions. After that, backup running back Jammal Williams got significantly more playing time and 54 more total yards than Jones. In the first half, the Packers defense couldn’t make a goal line stand on 4th down. They also gave up 13 points which is not bad if you think about it. Despite 10 points in the second quarter, the Lions still went into the locker room at halftime with the lead.
The second half was a whole different story. After Mathew Stafford threw for 219 yards in the first half, Aaron Rodgers got his passing game going and the Packers battled back with nothing coming easily. Though they were helped by multiple controversial calls, that was the only thing that helped them out that they didn’t work for. Allen Lazard had a breakout night with more yards than he had all of last year (65). He also caught his first touchdown pass of his career to bring the Packers within two points in the fourth quarter. The energized Green Bay defense had a late defensive stand, and the offense followed with a strong drive capped by a game winning Mason Crosby field goal. It was a back-and-forth game with lots of great plays and a 23-22 final score with the Packers finishing on top.