Breaking down the Packers’ 24-14 loss to the Lions in Week 9

The Green Bay Packers gave up 24 straight points – including seven on an interception that was returned for a touchdown to Jordan Love late in the first half – in a 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions in wet and windy Lambeau no comeback field on Sunday.

The Packers are now 6-3 overall but 0-2 in the NFC North beginning with the Week 10 bye.

Here’s what went right, what went wrong, and what it means for the Packers’ future:

What went well

– The Packers actually outgained the Lions by 150 yards – 411 to 261. The Packers also outscored the Lions by a decisive margin per play – 6.6 to 4.7. Green Bay even overtook the Lions (138-124). The statistical wins simply weren’t showing on the scoreboard for various reasons.

– The Packers put together a long drive and took an early 3-0 lead. The first possession lasted nearly eight minutes and was important in establishing the run early.

– Josh Jacobs managed 13 carries for 95 yards, an average of 7.3 yards. He had a run of 37 yards and now has a run of 25 or more yards in three straight games. Emanuel Wilson also managed a 19-yard run.

– Jayden Reed converted five catches for 113 yards, including three catches of 25 or more yards.

– Jordan Love’s mobility was limited, but he didn’t take a sack and the Lions were only credited with two quarterback hits.

– The Packers defense allowed just 17 points, including just seven in the second half. The Lions scored three straight drives in the second half and were 4-for-12 on third down.

What went wrong?

– Jordan Love’s pick-six late in the first half turned a 10-3 halftime score into a 17-3 Lions lead.

– The Packers went 1 for 4 touchdowns in the red zone and 3 for 12 on third down. The Lions, meanwhile, had two touchdowns in the red zone and two conversions on fourth down.

— Ten more penalties. One extended the Lions’ scoring streak. Several others helped hot-wire drives. The Packers continue to be one of the most penalized teams in the NFL.

– The Packers fumbled three times, including twice on bad snaps. Elgton Jenkins and Love had trouble executing shotgun snaps in the rain.

– In the FOX broadcast, the Packers were credited with six drops. Four came in third place, including two in the red zone. Dontayvion Wicks had a drop in the end zone. The rain clearly affected the Packers’ ability to catch the football.

– Lions running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 138 rushing yards, 34 receiving yards and 182 total yards.

– Kicker Brandon McManus missed his first field goal as a Packer. His 46-yard attempt went wide left in the first half.

— Keisean Nixon gave up a touchdown pass on fourth down and third down conversion, and his holding penalty extended the Lions’ scoring streak early in the second half.

— Jared Goff completed his first 11 passes. He completed 18 for 22 passes and only recorded one sack.

What it means

The Packers enter the middle of the season at 6-3, but two disappointing home losses to division rivals and ongoing issues with drops, penalties and interceptions have Matt LaFleur’s team looking vulnerable as it faces a difficult stretch in the second half. A division win seems increasingly unlikely as the Lions are now 7-1 and coming off a win at Lambeau Field. But who knows what can happen in the last two months. Can the Packers use the bye week to heal a few key injuries and find a way to catch fire at the right time? This team appears to be full of potential, but at some point everything has to come together and be executed for it to matter. You’d think the Packers would have lost to their top three opponents so far.

Highlights

What’s next?

The bye week. The Packers are 6-3 and in good shape for the playoffs, but Matt LaFleur’s team needs to get healthy and fix some of the lingering issues heading into the off week. After the bye, the Packers travel to Chicago to play the Bears, who fell to 4-4 on Sunday and will play a home game against the New England Patriots. It will be important for the Packers to get back on track and secure their first division win of the season on November 17th.