The Good, The Bad And The Ugly: Week 10

Well … that certainly didn’t go as expected. After playing another absolute stinker on offense, the Green Bay Packers had yet again another chance to win it. After recovering an onside kick, the team was a 52-yard field goal away from winning the game, but Mason Crosby kicked either Tim Masthay‘s hand, or just bungled the kick. Either way, it was nowhere near good.

The loss is Green Bay’s third, dropping them 6-3 on the year and now a game behind the Minnesota Vikings, who they’ll be traveling to next week in what has suddenly become a pretty important game (at least right now). What’s even more baffling, though, is how badly the team has played over this three-game stretch.

The defense held firm for most of the day, but the offense suffered from more ineptitude. Regardless, it wasn’t all bad, so let’s recount some good things, some bad things, and some really ugly things.

Nov 15, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jared Abbrederis (84) rushes with the football as Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin (27) defends during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Detroit won 18-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Good: 

• Damarious Randall: In a game that did not feature many good things, Damarious Randall continued to shine. He wasn’t exactly a huge factor in the pass coverage (though he did play solid coverage on Calvin Johnson when tasked), but he once again made a gigantic play when it mattered most. When the Packers executed the onside kick and Calvin Johnson botched the catch, Randall was there to steal the ball from his grasp, giving the team another shot at the win. While the team may be reeling, if Randall continues to learn and improve the way he has been, he’ll be a true force in the league.

• Jared Abbrederis: Aaron Rodgers often talks about how players usually have their “moment” in a game. Well, I think it’s safe to say Jared had his today. Abbrederis made a wonderful catch along the sideline to set up the Packers’ first touchdown, and while he did get hurt, he might have just proven to himself that he does belong here. Barring any lasting injury, he could factor into the offense in a much bigger role going forward.

• Justin Perillo: Another guy who hadn’t done much going into this game, Perillo exploded (for his standards) with 58 yards and a touchdown that gave the Pack a chance to try and tie the game. While Richard Rodgers has proven to be a pretty solid red-zone target (he hauled in another touchdown Sunday), Perillo seems to be the guy used outside of those moments, and at least Sunday has shown he might have the chops to play.

Nov 15, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby (2) misses a field goal in the final seconds of the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. The Lions beat the Packers 18-16. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Bad: 

• Special Teams: Normally, this hasn’t been something that’s been bad this entire season. But alas, in a game as ugly as this one, something had to go wrong. On the second half opening kickoff, the Packers’ allowed Ameer Abdullah to run 104 yards to the 1-yard line which set up the Lions’ first score of the game. On the other side, punter Tim Masthay did not look great in the slightest, with his worst kick coming in at 25 yards. While you could say that the kickoff return was huge (and it was, no doubt), the special teams play was just another bad cog in a very busted machine.

• Drops: Yes. It seems like, at the worst possible time, the Packers’ receivers are getting a very bad case of the drops. Not only did Randall Cobb and James Jones drop what proved to be drive-killing passes, but Davante Adams had a whole smattering of drops, including one on the potential game-tying two-point conversion try. While this obviously is not a good thing, it’s nice to see that the receivers are aware of it, with James Jones noting that they should “look in the mirror”.

• Injuries: This is the NFL, and every team is injured in some way, shape, or form. However, Green Bay has been getting bitten by the injury bug what seems like every week. While Eddie Lacy wasn’t slated to start, he was inactive Sundaywith a groin injury. David Bakhtiari also left the game Sunday with a knee injury and could not return. T.J. Lang and Randall were injured as well, although they managed to make it back into the game. The string of injuries is proving costly to this team, however, and it could derail any hopes of a deep playoff run should they continue to crop up.

Nov 15, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts after a failed 2-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter during the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. The Ljons beat the Packers 18-16. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Ugly: 

• The Offense: Sadly, this has been firmly in the “ugly” category for almost four weeks now. Once again, the Packers’ offense seemed almost unable to do anything in the first three quarters, scoring just three points in the first half against one of the league’s worst defenses, at home. To add insult to injury, the team continued its scary trend of not being able to convert third downs, going 9-for-19 and most likely extending their league-worst conversion rate. It’s pretty obvious to say that something has to change, but who exactly is to blame? For the third straight week, Aaron Rodgers hasn’t looked like himself in the pocket, and the with Eddie Lacy out, the running game was pretty much nonexistent.

Next: Best Of The Packers: Top 10 Defensive Backs Since 1960

• This Game: Let’s face it, this was one of, if not the worst, losses for the Green Bay Packers in a very long time. Losing to Denver and Carolina, while not expected, wasn’t a shock: both teams were undefeated, at home, and boasting stellar defenses. Detroit, on the other hand? They hadn’t won in Wisconsin since 1991, and came in sporting defensive and offensive units ranked in the low 20s. Losing this game would have meant rock bottom for the Green Bay Packers, and that’s where they are right now. There’s no bright side, but if I looked hard to try and find one, it would be this: there’s still seven games in front of them, and it’s time for every player to take a long, hard look in the mirror before getting their acts together for what might feel like a playoff atmosphere in Minnesota next Sunday. They should be angry, and should be using that to get ready to march into Minnesota and snatch back the division lead. Although, with the way their playing now, who knows if that’s going to happen.