Detroit Lions Comeback Attempt Falls Short At Green Bay

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Sep 25, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by Green Bay Packers linebacker Kyler Fackrell (51) in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Game Notes and Analysis

Injury report: Wilson leaves game, Ebron shaken up

Starting safety Tavon Wilson left the game in first quarter with a neck injury and was ruled out in the third. Rafael Bush replaced him for most of the game. Ebron, who was listed on the injury report this week with a back injury and missed the preseason with an ankle injury, left briefly in the second and subbed himself out in the third for a few plays as well, returning to the game both times.

Green Bay tight end Jared Cook (ankle) and fullback Aaron Ripkowski (back) both left the game and did not return.

More from Detroit Lions

Lions offense performs well, fails to finish drives

While the ground game sputtered, the Lions only gaining 50 yards rushing as a team, Matthew Stafford had another excellent day at quarterback, completing 28 of 41 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns, although he was also credited with an interception on the play where Eric Ebron was stripped by Damarious Randall.

The Lions out-gained Green Bay 418-324 in the game and possessed the ball for ten minutes longer than the Packers did, but the interception in Green Bay territory, a missed Prater field goal attempt and another drive which ended in a field goal after stalling out due to penalties and a sack cost the Lions opportunities to score more points, which they needed in order to keep pace with the Packers’ offense.

Marvin Jones emerges as top Lions target

Marvin Jones led the Lions in targets coming into the game with 21 and made the most of the eight he got on Sunday, catching six passes for 205 yards and a touchdown. Jones was the first signing the Lions made this offseason in their efforts to replace the production of Calvin Johnson, and today Jones became the first Lion other than Johnson to have over 200 receiving yards in a game since Roy Williams in 2007.

Offensive line up-and-down, Tomlinson continues to struggle

The Lions offensive line had some good moments in the game on Sunday, but a couple of untimely penalties and breakdowns cost them dearly. Detroit struggled to run the ball, particularly in the first half, as the offensive line gave up a total of nine tackles for loss.

First-round rookie Taylor Decker had the worst day of his young career on Sunday, getting beat for two sacks in the second half and being called for holding, which backed the Lions up and helped to stall out a drive which ended in a field goal.

Laken Tomlinson, who has faced criticism for his subpar performances thus far this season, struggled once again in pass protection and was also flagged for a false start, both of which only amplified the calls for the Lions to activate rookie lineman Joe Dahl for the first time this season.

Lack of depth on defense still huge concern

The Lions were clearly hampered defensively as they were once again without DeAndre Levy and Ezekiel Ansah. At one point linebacker Thurston Armbrister, getting his first start for the Lions, was in coverage on Jordy Nelson in the slot and predictably got torched. Defensive end Kerry Hyder picked up his fourth sack in three games, but the Lions pass rush struggled all day to get to Rodgers, only getting two hits, two sacks and three tackles for loss in the entire game. Cornerback Nevin Lawson gave up a 66-yard pass interference penalty, the longest in at least the past 15 years.

Lions still looking for a kick returner

Andre Roberts struggled as the Lions kick returner on Sunday, returning three kickoffs out of the endzone and failing to reach the 25-yard line each time. The Lions gave Dwayne Washington, who had some success returning kickoffs in the preseason, a chance to return the opening kickoff in the second half but put Roberts back in after Washington’s lone 21-yard return.

Next: Detroit Lions Week Three Game Ball - Marvin Jones

Elsewhere In The NFC North:

The Minnesota Vikings (2-1) won their second game in a row, upsetting the reigning NFC champion Carolina Panthers (1-2) 22-10 on Sunday. The Chicago Bears (0-2) will take on the Dallas Cowboys (1-1) on the road on Sunday Night Football at 8:30 on NBC.

Up Next:

The Lions will be on the road again next Sunday, taking on the Bears at 1:00 on FOX.

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