One week into the season — after the worst loss of Aaron Rodgers’ career — Green Bay’s quarterback had the following message for anyone who would listen.
“If we’re starting to freak out after one week, we’re in big trouble,” Rodgers said after the Packers suffered a 38-3 loss to New Orleans.
Those people probably aren’t freaking out today. But they probably don't feel dramatically better either.
Green Bay defeated Detroit, 35-17, Monday night. The Packers trailed, 17-14, though, at halftime before ripping off 21 straight points in the second half.
While the Packers were much better after halftime, the first half raised several red flags. And with a trip to San Francisco (2-0) looming Sunday, followed by a home game with Pittsburgh on Oct. 3, Green Bay won't have much room for error the next two weeks.
Here’s the good, bad and ugly from Green Bay’s victory over Detroit.
THE GOOD
AARON JONES: If you had Green Bay’s Pro Bowl running back in fantasy football, congratulations.
Jones had three receiving touchdowns, one rushing TD and now has 34 touchdowns since the start of the 2019 season. That’s the second-most in football, behind only Tennessee’s Derrick Henry (38).
Jones became the first Green Bay running back with three receiving touchdowns since Andy Uram in 1942. And Jones, who had four touchdowns against Dallas in Week 5 of 2019, notched four touchdowns for the second time in his career.
Jones had TD receptions of 4, 1 and 11 yards. He also had a 1-yard rushing touchdown and added 67 yards on the ground.
AARON RODGERS: One week ago, Rodgers had a dreadful passer rating of 36.8 against New Orleans, the third-lowest of his career in a game he started. Rodgers was 15-of-28 for 133 yards, with two interceptions and no touchdowns.
Sure, it was the Lions — one of the poorest franchises in all of sports — on the other side Monday. But Rodgers was extremely sharp after his dreadful Week 1 performance.
Rodgers completed 22 of 27 passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns. He also finished with a passer rating of 145.6.
RUN GAME: The Packers ran for just 43 yards on 15 carries in their Week 1 loss to New Orleans. Green Bay’s game plan Monday centered on the run game early and the Packers had a solid night.
The Packers ran the ball 31 times and had 96 rushing yards. While that average of 3.1 yards per carry won’t wow anyone, Green Bay’s commitment to the run game was imperative to its success.
The Saints had tremendous success in the opener playing with two deep safeties and stopping the run with seven defenders. The Packers certainly helped New Orleans by abandoning the run early.
Detroit played the same way with two safeties deep. But the Packers ran the ball much better and made the Lions pay for that decision.
“I think that’s why people play that defense, is to force you to commit to the run and stay with it,” Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said last week. “Based on down and distance we weren’t able to do that in Week 1.”
ERIC STOKES: Green Bay’s rookie cornerback made one of the biggest plays of the night.
With the Lions trailing, 21-17, late in the third quarter, Detroit elected to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Packers’ 25. Lions quarterback Jared Goff threw for wideout Quintez Cephus, but Stokes timed his break perfectly and knocked away the pass.
Green Bay proceeded to march 75 yards for a touchdown, a 28-17 lead, and the Lions never threatened again.
Stokes later broke up a potential touchdown pass in the endzone and staked his claim to move into the starting lineup sooner than later.
THIS AND THAT: Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is now 12-1 against the NFC North since he was hired in 2019. LaFleur is 5-0 against the Lions, and his only divisional loss came on Nov. 1, 2020 to Minnesota. … Green Bay was 5-of-7 on third down after going just 1-for-10 in Week 1. … Packers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell had 13 tackles and an interception.
THE BAD
PASS DEFENSE: Green Bay allowed seven passing touchdowns in the first six quarters of the season. That was more through two games than any time in franchise history.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff had TD passes of 5 and 8 yards in the first half, one week after New Orleans’ Jameis Winston had five TD passes.
KEVIN KING: Green Bay’s much-maligned fifth-year cornerback continues to struggle. And it remains to be seen how long the Packers will live with a veteran player who has never gotten better.
King gave up a 46-yard reception to Quintez Cephus on Detroit’s opening drive. Then King and rookie corner Eric Stokes had a communication breakdown and both defended Amon-Ra St. Brown, leaving Cephus open for a 5-yard touchdown.
King, who allowed a 55-yard touchdown in Week 1 following a dreadful performance in the 2020 NFC Championship Game, is undoubtedly on thin ice.
THE UGLY
JOE BARRY’S DEFENSE: Green Bay’s defense failed to impress again. And Packer Nation is already set to run first-year coordinator Joe Barry out of town.
The Lions scored on three of their four first half possessions and built a 17-14 lead at the break. One week earlier, Saints’ quarterback Jameis Winston threw five touchdowns and posted a 130.8 passer rating.
Green Bay adjusted in the second half and forced two turnovers after taking a big lead and making the Lions one-dimensional. But the first half was still extremely concerning.
And with quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson still looming, many are wondering if Green Bay’s defense can hold up?
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The Good, Bad And Ugly From The Green Bay Packers’ Win Over The Detroit Lions - Forbes
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