The Lions answered every one of $narf’s checklists by the end of the game: dominant defense, running game, and finishing drives.
Our defense was the MVP, dropping Eddy Lacy for a loss on Green Bay’s opening drive and forcing him to fumble. The Lions then took the ball to the house, setting the tone in their return home with a 7-0 early lead.
The offense at least started out running the ball. However, they only scored three first half points. It was still the case of trying to do too much. Matthew Stafford found it difficult to just check down (probably still our coordinator’s fault) instead of trying to force it into Calvin Johnson every big play. On one sack, he got leveled from behind for holding onto the ball too long. I love Stafford, and we cannot let him take hits like that, or he’ll get hurt.
Luckily, the defense held time and time again, having their way with Aaron Rodgers. We sacked him on crucial downs and added a safety to our defensive scoring to put us up 12-7 at halftime.
Stafford started to find some momentum right before the half, throwing a deep completion to set us up for a field goal try. Our kicker missed, and he was cut today. Told you, kid.
The Packers were shutout in the second half. Detroit’s running game started to pay dividends. I forget Reggie Bush needs to get going – he has to have some carries and plays under his belt in order to break out. He did just that, running over twenty yards for our offense’s lone touchdown of the game.
I credit Stafford for finding his rhythm by the end of the game, which is all that matters. He looked the consummate leader on our final drive, eating up clock, making clutch third down passes, and illustrating composure. The Lions stopped Green Bay on fourth down with over six minutes to go, then Stafford killed the entire fourth quarter.
Job well done.