Lions down Packers in first outdoor game of season; improve to 7-1

The Lions fell down 3-0 on the Packers first drive of the game. The score held through the end of the first quarter, but once the Lions scored they never looked back, en route to another dominant win to improve to 7-1. 

The NFC North-leading Lions are 7-1 for the first time since 1956. They withstood the second-quarter ejection of safety Brian Banks and won at Lambeau Field for a third straight year, thriving on a rainy and windy day.

Detroit took the lead for good on the first play of the second quarter when Jared Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 3-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal. Jahmyr Gibbs capped the opening drive of the second half by rushing for a 15-yard touchdown on fourth-and-1 to extend the Lions’ lead to 24-3.

The Packers scored late to pull within 24-14, and actually dominated the game statistically, posting more than 400 yards of total offense, converting more third downs, punting less, and allowing no sacks. But despite the statistical difference, the game was never truly in doubt as the Lions coasted through the second half.

It was the first outdoor game for the Lions this season, playing in the cold and the rain with a heavy wind didn't seem to slow them down much. They led 17-3 at halftime. 

Goff had another efficient day, finishing 18 of 22 for 145 yards.

Green Bay’s Jordan Love went 23 of 39 for 273 yards with an interception, one week he left in the third quarter of a 30-27 victory at Jacksonville with a groin strain. Jayden Reed had five catches for 113 yards and Josh Jacobs rushed for 95 yards.

Green Bay trailed 7-3 when Branch was ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers receiver Bo Melton during a pass incompletion near Green Bay’s sideline. Branch also drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for gesturing to the Lambeau Field crowd, giving the Packers a first down at the Detroit 32 rather than facing third-and-20 from their own 38.

But the Packers failed to capitalize on the situation. Their drive ended with Brandon McManus sending a 46-yard field-goal attempt wide left. Detroit marched down the field on its next series and extended its lead to 10-3 on Jake Bates’ 27-yard field goal.

Green Bay got the ball back with less than a minute left in the half. Facing second-and-2 from Green Bay’s 38, Love rolled right under pressure and threw a ball directly to Joseph, who caught it with arms outstretched and raced down the Lions sideline to the end zone.

Joseph’s pick-6 was his sixth interception of the season, tying Green Bay’s Xavier McKinney for the NFL lead. He’s picked off a pass in five of Detroit’s last six games and became the first safety to intercept at least 14 passes through his first three seasons since Hall of Famer Ed Reed did it from 2002-04.

Joseph has four interceptions against the Packers.

Green Bay opened the game with a 14-play drive that lasted nearly eight minutes but settled for McManus’ 30-yard field goal.

Then the Lions scored the next 24 points to take control.

McManus kicked a 38-yard field goal in the final minute of the third quarter. Emanuel Wilson scored on a 2-yard run and Love threw a 2-point conversion pass to Christian Watson to make it 24-14 with 3:49 left, but Detroit recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.

Injuries

Packers DL Colby Wooden and Lions LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin suffered shoulder injuries. The Packers played without CB Jaire Alexander (knee), S Evan Williams (hamstring) and C Josh Myers (wrist). The Lions didn’t have DL Josh Paschal (illness) or LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle).

Up next

Lions: At Houston next Sunday night.

Packers: After a bye, at Chicago on Nov. 17.