"Always hurts to lose at Lambeau:" Detroit Lions win vs. Packers at home, 18-16
GREEN BAY -- The Green Bay Packers returned home to Lambeau Field after suffering their first losses of the season on the road-- to take on a division rival -- the Detroit Lions.
Kickoff was set for noon Sunday, November 15th at Lambeau Field. A crowd of 78,526 watched this game at Lambeau Field -- a new record.
Sunday's game marked the Packers' first home game in about a month.
The last time the Packers played at Lambeau Field this season, they were an undefeated football team. They will face a Detroit Lions team that's 1-7 on the season -- winning just one game vs. the Bears in October.
The Packers have dominated vs. Detroit -- winning the last 24 straight games against the team in Wisconsin, according to Packers.com. This ranks #1 among NFL streaks at one team’s home.
On Saturday, Packers officials announced the following information regarding injured players:
Sunday's game got underway amid increased security -- following the terror attacks in Paris on Friday night.
The Green Bay Packers and the NFL issued the following statement:
“The safety of our fans, stadium personnel, and teams at all NFL games is our priority, and security at our games is robust. Our procedures have been certified and designated by the Department of Homeland Security since 2008 as effective anti-terrorism technology. All NFL clubs use mandatory metal detector screening and multiple layers of perimeter security external to the stadium to safeguard fans and the stadium from explosive threats.
Following the events in Paris on Friday, we are closely monitoring events and have been in communication with the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, which have informed us that there are no known threats against NFL stadiums.
In addition to our standard procedures described above, there will be an increased security and law enforcement presence both inside and outside stadiums in the parking lots of our stadiums this weekend. We have been in contact with clubs hosting games to reinforce our standard procedures and the league’s best practices.
We strongly recommend that fans do not bring bags with them to the stadium. If it is essential to bring a bag, it must be in compliance with the clear bag policy which requires that it be made of clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and not exceed 12" x 6" x 12." It is important that all fans comply with these requirements, and we appreciate their efforts to cooperate with these security measures.
The NFL and team security departments work closely with stadium operation personnel and federal, state, and local law enforcement to provide a safe experience for the more than 17 million fans who annually attend NFL games. The NFL and its teams continually evaluate and improve our comprehensive security plan.
Fans are asked to allow for additional time to enter the stadium and to enter at the gates printed on their tickets."
Sunday's game at Lambeau Field began with a "moment of reflection" for the victims of the Paris attacks and their families -- and a "Salute to Service" for our military members.
Moment of reflection at Lambeau Field for victims of Paris attacks and their families
Moment of reflection at Lambeau Field for victims of Paris attacks and their families
The Lions won the toss and elected to defer their choice.
The Packers began their first possession of the game at their 17 yard line.
QB Aaron Rodgers completed four consecutive passes, leaving the Packers with a third-and-one at the Packers 48.
James Starks converted the third down with a run to midfield.
The first score of this game came courtesy of Packers K Mason Crosby -- who kicked a 44-yard field goal the deflected off the right upright -- but was ruled good.
The score was then Packers 3, Lions 0 -- with about 10 minutes to play in the first quarter.
Mason Crosby 44-yard field goal brings score to Packers 3, Lions 0
The Packers defense started with a three-and-out -- and the offense would then get back to work on its own 39 yard line.
With 6:24 to play in the quarter, the Packers began a drive at their 16 yard line.
Aaron Rodgers completed an 18-yard pass to Davante Adams -- to the Packers 40 yard line.
On third-and-nine, Randall Cobb dropped a pass that would’ve produced a sizable gain, or maybe even more.
The Packers went three-and-out on offense -- and the Lions would take over at their own 26 yard line.
There was another three-and-out for the Packers defense, as Clay Matthews defended a pass on second down, and then batted one down on third down.
The Packers offense would again take over the ball.
The score was Packers 3, Lions 0 as the first quarter came to an end.
CLICK HERE for a first quarter recap via Packers.com.
As the second quarter began, it was another three-and-out for the Green Bay Packers defense -- and the Packers offense would begin a drive at their own seven yard line.
This was the third three-and-out for the Packers in four possessions.
After the punt, Green Bay’s offense was backed up to its own 7, but WR Davante Adams made a one-handed catch on a slant to pick up one first down.
The Packers then overcame a sack of QB Aaron Rodgers with a nine-yard run by RB James Starks and a nine-yard scramble by Rodgers, on which he pointed for Starks to block the Lions safety, barely allowing him to get the first down.
Rodgers then hit WR Jared Abbrederis (for his first career catch) on the next third down for a 16-yard gain to move the chains again and get the Packers across midfield, but the drive stalled there.
Tim Masthay’s punt was downed by rookie CB Quinten Rollins at the Detroit three-yard line.
Detroit moved out of the hole with a 13-yard pass to WR Calvin Johnson, as Packers CB Damarious Randall injured his groin on the play and left the game. Randall would return to the field before the first half came to an end.
Damarious Randall headed to locker room after going down on field in second quarter vs. Lions
The Lions then converted on fourth-and-short on their own 41 with a QB sneak by Matthew Stafford, and on the next snap, Packers DE Datone Jones was called for unnecessary roughness for a hit on Stafford after a handoff, moving the Lions across midfield for the first time in the game.
Measurement taken at fourth and short for Lions
Detroit’s drive stalled after a holding penalty -- forcing the Lions to punt with 1:38 left in the half.
The Lions downed the punt at the Green Bay five-yard line.
The Packers went three-and-out and had to punt the ball back to the Lions, who took over on their own 47 with 45 seconds left.
Stafford hit Johnson for 19 yards to start the drive and then WR Golden Tate caught a three-yard pass to get the ball to the Green Bay 31.
A deep ball for Johnson in the end zone was incomplete on third down.
Lions K Matt Prater then took the field to attempt a 49-yard field goal, which was good.
The score was 3-3 at halftime -- a tied game.
CLICK HERE for a second quarter recap via Packers.com.
Lions QB Matthew Stafford as Lions tie game vs. Packers at Lambeau Field
During halftime Ron Wolf, the former Packers GM received his Hall of Fame ring. Wolf's name was unveiled on the east facade inside Lambeau Field.
Wolf was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August 2015.
The Packers on Friday, November 13th unveiled an exhibit at Lambeau Field honoring Wolf's nine-year tenure as GM.
Wolf joined the Packers in 1991. He traded for quarterback Brett Favre, part of a series of moves that helped turn Green Bay back into one of the league's elite franchises.
Former Packers GM Ron Wolf honored at halftime
As play began in the second half, Lions RB Ameer Abdullah ran the kickoff back 104 yards -- to the Green Bay one yard line.
Packers Micah Hyde then made the shoestring tackle.
A Lions touchdown (and the first TD of this game) came with a two-yard pass to Brandon Pettigrew.
Lions K Prater's extra point was no good -- and the score was then Lions 9, Packers 3 with 13:33 left in the third quarter.
First TD this game comes with two-yard pass to Pettigrew, Lions lead Packers 9-3
The Lions scoring drive included three plays for one yard in 1:27.
The Packers offense went three-and-out -- and the punt went out-of-bounds at the Green Bay 47 yard line.
The Packers defense then got a three-and-out -- and Micah Hyde fair-caught a punt at the Green Bay 16 yard line, and the Packers would get back to work.
A pass from Aaron Rodgers to Richard Rodgers for 21 yards on third down got the Packers across midfield.
Lions LB Tahir Whitehead deflected Rodgers third down pass for Jared Abbrederis, and the Packers then punted.
It was the Packers’ seventh punt since their opening-game field goal drive, according to Packers.com.
The Packers downed the punt at the Detroit seven yard line, with 8:10 left in the third quarter.
In the third quarter, came a huge interception by safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix -- intercepting Matthew Stafford on a third-and-nine play.
It saved the Packers from a potential Lions field goal that would’ve made it a two-possession game.
The Packers had the ball at their eight-yard line.
But the offense did not respond. It would be a three-and-out for the Packers offense -- as the third quarter came to an end.
The Packers would punt the ball from their own nine yard line.
CLICK HERE for a third quarter recap via Packers.com.
As the fourth quarter began, Lions K Prater was good on a 51-yard field goal. The score was then Lions 12, Packers 3 with 13:10 left to play.
Lions Matt Prater with successful 51-yard FG in fourth quarter
The Lions scoring drive included five plays for 22 yards in 1:39.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers then hit Justin Perillo for 24 yards on third and 15 -- and then Perillo again for five more yards.
Packers OT David Bakhtiari was slow to get up off the field -- and Don Barclay came into the game to replace Bakhtiari at left tackle. The Packers said Bakhtiari has a knee injury -- and his return was questionable.
David Bakhtiari suffers knee injury during Packers vs. Lions game
The Packers drive stalled on two incomplete passes to Adams -- who was flagged for a personal foul.
Detroit would begin again on offense -- at their own 20 yard line.
The Packers defense got a stop on third and one -- and the Lions would be forced to punt the ball.
The Packers would start another drive at their own 22 yard line with 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter.
Aaron Rodgers hit Randall Cobb off his back foot for 20 yards on third and 12.
Rodgers then hit Jared Abbrederis for 32 yards -- down to the four yard line -- and it was first and goal for the Packers.
And soon came a PACKERS TOUCHDOWN with a four-yard pass into the end zone to Richard Rodgers.
With the extra point, the score was Packers 10, Lions 12 with 5:55 left to play.
Aaron Rodgers celebrates TD late in fourth quarter vs. Lions
At the two-minute warning from Lambeau Field, the Lions were at second and goal from the four yard line.
A Lions touchdown (a four-yard pass from Stafford to Kellen Moore made this an eight-point game.
The extra point was unsuccessful for the Lions. Praters kick was wide left -- so the score was then Lions 18, Packers 10 with 1:57 left in the game.
The Lions scoring drive included nine plays for 80 yards in 3:58.
As the Packers took over the ball, James Starks fumbled, and the Lions recovered the ball.
The play was reviewed, and the call was changed. It was ruled that Starks was down by contact -- and the Packers would get the ball at their own 31 yard line with 1:45 left on the clock.
The Packers called their second timeout with :51 left in the game.
It would be third and one from the Detroit 29 yard line for the Packers.
The Packers were able to convert with another pass from Aaron Rodgers to Richard Rodgers for a first down at the 23 yard line.
A roughing the passer call on Detroit made it first down for Green Bay on the Detroit 11 yard line.
Then came a Packers TOUCHDOWN -- with a pass from Aaron Rodgers to Justin Perillo for 11 yards.
The Packers then took their final timeout.
The Packers went for a two-point conversion, but a pass from Aaron Rodgers to Adams was no good.
With just :32 left in the game -- Packers Damarious Randall recovered an onside kick. The score was Lions 18, Packers 16.
Aaron Rodgers then threw to Adams for 12 yards. It was second down for the Packers on the Detroit 17 yard line.
Soon, Packers K Mason Crosby would come onto the field to attempt a 52-yard field goal. That field goal was blocked, and was NO GOOD. The Detroit Lions would win this game.
The final score: Lions 18, Packers 16.
Mason Crosby's final FG attempt blocked, Lions win vs. Packers 18-16
A dejected Coach McCarthy following another tough Packers loss
Lions Head Coach Jim Caldwell celebrates after win over Packers at Lambeau Field
"A disappointing, tough, hard-fought loss here. Always hurts to lose at Lambeau. Division games are always tough to win. The defense played well -- and gave our offense opportunities. There definitely was pressure in the passing game and the run defense looked solid," Coach McCarthy said.
"It's disappointing to lose at home. We haven't done that in awhile. We'll look at the film and make corrections tomorrow. I'm never worried about the confidence level of this team," Packers QB Aaron Rodgers said.
CLICK HERE for a Packers/Lions recap via Packers.com.