Nothing can ever be easy for the Lions. Detroit looked to have a win in the bag after a huge Brian Branch interception late, but Green Bay hung around and gifted the Lions two missed field goals from almost PAT range, which allowed Jake Bates to hit the game-winning field goal as time expired.
A 20-17 win against the Packers may be just what the doctor ordered after a fairly ho-hum 3-2 start to the season, but the Lions played nowhere near perfect football.
Who were the three studs and one dud from the Lions’ Week 7 win over the Packers?
Note: Jared Goff doesn’t make the cut because that would be too easy.
Stud: Amon-Ra St. Brown
Amon-Ra St. Brown received a bulk of Green Bay’s trash talk on Sunday, and all he did was turn around and catch nine passes for 153 yards.
St. Brown seems to play his best against the Packers, and their first showdown of 2026 was a prime example. He was getting jawed at all game, and he put his head down (maybe he barked a few words back) and led all receivers, while consistently moving the chains for Goff and the Lions’ offense.
We saw vintage St. Brown on Sunday and vintage St. Brown is a top-five wideout in football.
Stud: Jameson Williams
Welcome to the studs list once again, Jameson Williams.
The past few weeks have been kind to Williams, who has 13 receptions for 240 yards and four touchdowns in three October games. Five catches, 91 yards, and two touchdowns came against the Packers as Williams proved he could be more than just a go-ball threat. He was moving the chains and making catches in traffic.
If this Williams sticks around for the rest of the season, Goff and the offense are going to be absolutely cooking the NFC North.
Stud: Brian Branch
Did the defense feel a little different on Sunday? That’s probably because Brian Branch finally returned from injury and he made his presence felt immediately.
Branch was still a little limited early on, but he looked comfortable when he was in at safety, and he finished with a team-best PFF grade and an interception at a critical point in the game. The Lions have been lacking an alpha in the secondary this season, and Branch’s return should change that. His first appearance of the season was a good one.
Now if only the Lions could get Kerby Joseph back.
Dud: Sam LaPorta
Calling Sam LaPorta a “dud” doesn’t feel quite right because he didn’t play poorly, but he just didn’t have the impact offensively that he usually does. And after the week that he’s had, a no-show in the pass game couldn’t have come at a worse time.
We heard all week about how LaPorta wanted to be paid like one of the best tight ends in the league, and he deserved a big extension, all for him to catch one pass for 18 yards.
Goff threw the ball 32 times and only two went LaPorta’s way.
Even LaPorta would tell you that this was a dud game for him.
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