Detroit Lions maul Green Bay Packers in season finale, 35-11
By Matt Bosko
The Detroit Lions mauled the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, sweeping their arch rivals for the first time since 1991.
There wasn’t much on the line at Ford Field on Sunday afternoon, but it seemed like nobody informed the Detroit Lions, who stomped all over the Green Bay Packers on their way to a 35-11 victory.
If this was Jim Caldwell’s last game as the team’s head coach, his players gave him one heck of a sendoff.
Big plays on both sides of the football were the story of the day for the Lions, who finished with a winning record (9-7) for consecutive seasons since 1994, and with a 5-1 record in the NFC North.
Matthew Stafford carved up the Packers for the second time this season, finishing 20-of-29 passing for 323 yards and three touchdowns. The offensive game plan was creative and flawless, leaving many Lions fans sure to wonder where that has been all season.
Everyone got in on the act, including Stafford, who found himself on the receiving end of a two-point conversion thrown by Golden Tate.
Tate, by the way, became just the seventh receiver in NFL history to have four consecutive seasons with over 90 receptions. He put on a show Sunday with seven catches for 104 yards and a touchdown, joining teammate Marvin Jones in the 1,000-yard receiving club.
Jones turned in a terrific day of his own, hauling in four passes for 81 yards and a score.
The defense was active and relentless, forcing three turnovers and sacking quarterback Brett Hundley four times. Ezekiel Ansah, healthy and hungry for a new contract, accounted for three of those sacks to bring his season total to 12.
Hundley, who threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, managed just 172 passing yards and a touchdown.
With the 2017 season in the books, questions immediately turn towards the future of the Lions.
Will the team retain Jim Caldwell?
Will Bob Quinn lock up Ansah with a long-term contract?
Will the Lions ever find a running game?
Next: Lions expected to fire Jim Caldwell, per report
The offseason, though it comes quicker than Lions fans wanted or expected, will be an interesting one. Stay tuned.