By merely reviewing the stats from Sunday’s Green Bay-Detroit game, you might assume the Packers came out on top. Instead, they suffered a tough loss.
Coach Matt LaFleur’s squad outgained Detroit by 150 yards (411 to 261), recorded more first downs (20 to 17), averaged more yards per play (6.6 to 4.7), exceeded Detroit’s passing yards by 136 (273 to 137), and punted only twice. Yet, the game was one-sided by the second half.
“A lot of self-inflicted wounds, a lot of momentum-killers, a lot of drive-killers,” running back Josh Jacobs commented on the team’s website. “That’s on us. We’ve masked a lot of issues with wins, but against a good team, the small things catch up to you.”
The Packers committed 10 penalties for 67 yards, which derailed several drives. Receivers dropped five passes, per Next Gen Stats. Brandon McManus missed a field goal, and Elgton Jenkins, stepping in at center for the injured Josh Myers, struggled with snaps in the rain. The defense was dominated on the ground, and Jordan Love, playing with a groin injury, threw a costly pick-six late in the second quarter, allowing Detroit to pull ahead.
“Too many times I’m putting the ball at risk, which I need to clean up,” Love said. “I’ve mentioned it week after week, so I need to learn from these errors and make it a priority to protect the ball.”
Love has now thrown an interception in each of his first seven games in 2024. LaFleur is growing weary of questions regarding the quarterback’s turnovers.
“I understand,” LaFleur said when asked about the interceptions. “It’s frustrating up here, though. He’s competing, and we know we need to take care of the football. I don’t question his intentions; we just need to execute better.”
