GREEN BAY – Detroit's streak of four straight wins against the Green Bay Packers, including two straight in Lambeau Field, came to halt Monday as they fell to Green Bay, 23-22, in front of a national audience on Monday Night Football.
Officiating, and a couple calls in particular against the Lions late will be a topic of discussion in Detroit this week, but it's a game Detroit will look back on and lament some of the opportunities they let slip through their hands.
Twice in the first half they got inside the Packers' 10-yard line and had to settle for field goals.
Detroit gifted Green Bay four points after a penalty on a field goal attempt gave the Packers a first down, which led to a touchdown instead of a field-goal try.
Detroit was plus-three in the turnover battle, but settled for five field goals in the game.
Defensive end Trey Flowers was called for two questionable hands to the face penalties that negated two third-down stops in the fourth quarter. The first led to a touchdown, and the second a chip-shot game-winning field goal.
Detroit was just 3-of-13 on third down in the game.
The Lions couldn't come up with a key stop late after punting to the Packers leading 22-20 with 6:46 left in game. Green Bay marched down the field and milked the entire clock down to win the game with a field goal as time expired.
On the road, against a good team like Green Bay, those are the opportunities that make the difference.
Kicker Matt Prater made field goals from 26, 22, 41, 51 and 54 yards. The 51 and 54-yarders were the 49th and 50th of Prater's career from 50-plus yards. He is now 50-of-65 on field goals from 50-plus yards, good for an NFL-record 76.9 conversion percentage.
The Lone Lions touchdown came on a 1-yard run by running back Kerryon Johnson.
QB comparison: Matthew Stafford was 18-of-32 passing for 265 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He finished with an 83.5 passer rating.
Aaron Rodgers completed 24 of his 39 passes for 283 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He finished with a 90.0 passer rating.
Free four points: The Lions' defense forced an incompletion on a 4th and 5 play midway through the second quarter with Detroit holding a 13-0 lead. The Packers lined up for a chip-shot field goal, but before the snap, Detroit was flagged for having too many men on the field.
The 5-yard penalty gave Green Bay a first down and they scored on a short touchdown pass from Rodgers to running back Jamaal Williams two plays later.
It was a mistake that cost Detroit four points in an eventual 23-22 contest.
Fumble recoveries: Defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson stripped the ball from Packers running back Aaron Jones on Green Bay's second offensive possession and the ball was recovered by linebacker Christian Jones.
Cornerback Dee Virgin forced a fumble on a punt return in the third quarter that was recovered by safety Tavon Wilson.
The Lions now lead the NFL with eight fumble recoveries. Detroit had seven fumble recoveries all of last year.
Up next: vs. Minnesota (4-2)
