Cover 3: Quick takeaways after Packers win over the Lions
After every Green Bay Packers game, we will talk about three points that defined the matchup. Former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy used to say that “we’re nobody’s underdog”. The win over the Detroit Lions was that kind of game. Away from home, against a better team on paper, and missing a lot […]
After every Green Bay Packers game, we will talk about three points that defined the matchup.
Former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy used to say that “we’re nobody’s underdog”. The win over the Detroit Lions was that kind of game. Away from home, against a better team on paper, and missing a lot of important players, the Packers still found a way to win. It was a good enough effort from the defense, especially the front, and a great game for Jordan Love and Christian Watson.
So let’s analyze the three points that decided the game at Ford Field from the Packers perspective.
Jordan Love again
It was 2nd & 17, inside the Lions territory, after a holding call. Jordan Love was pressured as Elgton Jenkins was being pushed, and he found Romeo Doubs to advance to a 3rd & 3. The arm angle was the most impressive. But it had a perfect ball placement, and it was a good read. He scored on the next play, finding Christian Watson in the end zone.
That was just one play, but it encapsulates the entire game from Jordan Love. In the fourth quarter, a 3rd & 1, he also had a big run to put the Packers in a more favorable position.
It was, for the third consecutive week, the best game of Love’s career. And this is exactly what the Packers want and need to see: development.
In a pass-heavy gameplan environment, Love gave the Packers everything they asked for. He led the offense, avoided bad mistakes, and made big plays. It's not been a perfect ride for Love this season, but this streak over the last three weeks is beyond promising.
Watson is game changer
When Christian Watson plays well, the entire Packers offense is different. He adds multiple dimensions to the unit, and his explosion makes everything much easier. Watson hadn't had four catches in a game the entire season. On Thursday, he had four in one quarter.
This is the best example of how impactful he can be: In the first quarter, he had four catches for 78 yards. The Packers offense scored 14. No catches in the second quarter, they scored three.
Watson is not the typical WR1 because he's not that consistent on a play-by-play basis, and the Packers have gotten that from Jayden Reed. But when Matt LaFleur is able to dial up some plays for Watson, the Packers' ceiling is much, much higher.
Defensive turnovers and pressure to overcome injuries
Every quarterback plays worse under pressure, but Jared Goff's delta is way bigger than the NFL average. And that's how the defense was able to pull off its best performance of the season.
| Ideal secondary coming into the season | Week 12 secondary |
|---|---|
Jaire Alexander (inactive) | Carrington Valentine |
Rasul Douglas (traded) | Corey Ballentine |
Eric Stokes (IR) | Keisean Nixon |
Darnell Savage (IR) | Jonathan Owens |
Rudy Ford (inactive) | Anthony Johnson Jr. |
The Packers didn't have their ideal secondary, former All-Pro linebacker De'Vondre Campbell was out as well. But the defensive front played what probably was its best game in the season, especially considering how dominant the Lions offensive line is. Rashan Gary is obviously impactful, but Preston Smith, Kenny Clark, and Karl Brooks all had strong performances.
In the first half, Lions quarterback Jared Goff was pressured on 45% of his dropbacks, and Goff is particularly affected by pressure.
The secondary wasn't playing that well with so many absences — Corey Ballentine was being exposed. But the best way to protect the backups playing deep was to pressure upfront, and that’s exactly what the Packers were able to do for the most part.
How five Packers players to watch performed vs the Lions
Rashan Gary had a big-time game
