Team Grades: Detroit Lions Hold On To Shock Green Bay
By Danny Cox
The Detroit Lions were not expected to win on Sunday, even though the Green Bay Packers had lost two in a row. Still, they came out, made some mistakes, but did enough to win 18-16 and deal the Pack a third straight loss. There are still some gaping holes on both sides of the ball, but there were also things that stood out and showed the talented roster was living up to their names.
Offense: B-
The offense appeared to be clicking on numerous levels against the Packers with a lot of players getting involved. Matthew Stafford had a good game with 242 passing yards and two TDs as compared to just one interception. Calvin Johnson was targeted often and Lance Moore got involved too. In all, eight different Lions caught at least one pass from Stafford.
Unfortunately, there is still no running game at all for Detroit. Joique Bell led the team with just 17 yards on 14 carries. Wide receiver Golden Tate led the team in rushing with one attempt for 11 yards which was also the long run of the day for everyone. Something needs to be done and there are free agent backs out there that should be looked at.
Defense: B
There were no turnovers to be had, but the Lions did what needed to be done and it was frustrate Aaron Rodgers. The Packers running game did nothing as James Starks had just 42 yard son 15 carries. That left things on the shoulders of Rodgers and it showed by him having to throw a whopping 61 passes.
Rodgers may have thrown for 333 yards and two touchdowns, but it was all on him. The Lions stopped the running game and did well enough to keep the Packers out of the end zone more than twice. They also got after Rodgers and sacked him three times.
Special Teams: B-
Without the leg of Matt Prater and two field goals, from 49 and 51 yards, then it's possible this could have been yet another loss. Still, he missed both extra point attempts which could have given them a bit more of a cushion. Punter Sam Martin had a great day with seven punts, four of them pinned the Packers back inside of their own 20-yard-line.
Coaching: B
Lions head coach Jim Caldwell may have done just about everything needed to possibly save his job. The Lions brass and owners have a great relationship with him, but no team can keep a coach that doesn't win. Coming out as the worst team in the league and beating one of the NFL's elite is a head-turner. The Green Bay Packers had a bad day, but the Lions brought a lot of it on them.
The playoffs are virtually out of reach, but a win like this does a lot for a team and really brings morale up a level or two. It's not known if this will bring about any type of momentum, and it wasn't overly pretty, but it was a good win by the Lions in every way.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.