Green Bay Packers: Instant Takeaways from Division Clinching Win

Here are the instant takeaways and some highlights from the Green Bay Packers division-clinching win over the Detroit Lions.

Against a Detriot Lions defense, which by many metrics is one of the worst in the NFL, this game shouldn’t have been as close as it was considering how good the Green Bay Packers’ offense has been this season. However, as we all know, it’s never easy at Ford Field. But ultimately, the Packers won.

As always, here are my instant takeaways from the Packers division-clinching performance.

• I have to say, I’m pleasantly surprised at how well the Green Bay Packers’ run defense played. They bottled up Peterson and Swift for the most part.
• Where the defense struggled was covering the middle of the field — something we’ve seen all season — and in the screen game.
• Granted, the Detroit defense doesn’t generate much of a pass-rush, but it was another excellent game for the Packers OL. And credit to Rick Wagner, who faced Romeo Okwara often. This season, Okwara is 5th in total pressures and 4th in pass-rush productivity among edge-rushers.
• Why did Aaron Jones have only FOUR touches in the first half?
• A nice game for MVS and what. A. Catch. Back shoulder, strong hands, and the touchdown.

• Today was a prime example of why OLB Coach Mike Smith preaches pressures over sacks. Green Bay was able to log some sacks, but very little pressure on Stafford, and for the most part, he could do what he wanted.
• With Malik Taylor out, Jamaal Williams was the kick return man. Although some may have assumed that was Tavon Austin’s role, he hasn’t returned a kick since 2017 and of his 25 career attempts, 18 came in 2013.
• We saw LaFleur using everyone as the motion man. Austin, Lazard, MVS, and Adams.
• Don’t be mistaken, this is a bad Lions defense. So when I saw this play on the opening drive, I thought the Packers were going to drop 40.

• But for whatever reason, things never come easy at Ford Field.
• And Davante Adams continues to put up ridiculous numbers. What a season.
• Aaron Rodgers and this Packers’ offense in the red zone — aka the gold zone — is so good.
• Tavon Austin didn’t do anything special on punt returns, but it was a nice feeling not having to worry about what he was going to do with the ball in his hands.
• “Still got his wheels.” – David Bakhtiari

https://twitter.com/packers/status/1338263550658228227

• As expected, we saw Pettine use several different options to fill Raven Greene’s role. He used true nickel with two LBs on the field, Adrian Amos, Vernon Scott, and Will Redmond as well.
• You won’t’ see him on the stat sheet, but there were some nice blocks in the run game from Dominique Dafney, who is filling in for the injured Jace Sternberger.
• What happened to all gas, no breaks before the half? This is becoming a trend where the offense has the ball, a little bit of time, and ends up playing conservatively.
• This was a big play before half, it felt like Detroit was about to put up 3 points and take the lead. Also, let’s continue using Darnell Savage closer to the line of scrimmage and using him as a blitzer. Any objections? No. Okay.

https://twitter.com/packers/status/1338255400362270733

• I think I type this every week, but Aaron Jones is such a hard runner. I love it.
• Chandon Sullivan has been struggling in recent weeks and is beginning to be picked on by quarterbacks a little bit.
• TOO MANY PENALTIES!
• Just an easy 26/33 for 290 yards with 3 touchdowns for Aaron Rodgers.
• The turning point in this game was the third quarter. Green Bay only scored once, but they completely controlled the clock.
• Speed, athleticism, and effort. Gary is getting better each and every week.

• As they’ve been for much of the season, the Packer offense was very efficient on third downs.
• Speaking of efficient, how about Robert Tonyan? All he does is catch passes and often times they’re touchdown passes. In fact, Tonyan is putting together one of the best single-season performances from a tight end in Packers’ history.
• We see kickers around the league missing kicks, let’s all be sure to appreciate the stability that Mason Crosby has brought to the position for over a decade.

https://twitter.com/packers/status/1338276831997403137

• And on this special teams unit, Crosby has been the only bright spot. You just cannot let that long kick return happen.
• 10-3. NFC North Champs. The Panthers come to Lambeau next Saturday.