3 Takeaways from Lions' Dazzling 37-30 Victory against Packers
On a Sunday afternoon at Ford Field, two NFL football teams, which had entirely different agendas, played their regular season finale.
While the Green Bay Packers were looking to remain sharp ahead of a playoff bye week, the Detroit Lions went out and played like a team with absolutely nothing to lose.
As the 2021 season progressed, it became evident head coach Dan Campbell wanted his football team to be aggressive, at least on offense.
The pattern held true in the season finale, as Campbell called another fake punt and repeatedly went for it on fourth down.
Detroit called trick play after trick play, which gave the home crowd something to remember, as the razzle-dazzle play-calling was certainly entertaining.
Here are three takeaways from the Lions' 37-30 victory in Week 18.
Lions empty the playbook with trick plays and continue fourth-down aggressiveness
Detroit again turned to punter Jack Fox on a fake punt.
Unfortunately, Fox could not connect with Godwin Igwebuike, who had an opportunity to make the play but could not corral the football.
In the first half, Detroit was able to execute successfully its 20th and 21st fourth-down conversion attempts.
Campbell is now the most aggressive head coach in NFL history, as the Lions broke the Patriots' previously held record of fourth-down conversion attempts.
Tom Kennedy's 75-yard touchdown pass to Kalif Raymond, which got the Lions on the board for the first time Sunday, was the longest pass by a wideout since Cedric Tillman of the Broncos tossed an 82-yard touchdown back in 1992.
Early in the third quarter, after AJ Parker forced a fumble that was recovered by Ifeatu Melifonwu, running back Jamaal Williams took the handoff from quarterback Jared Goff and quickly got it to Amon-Ra St. Brown on the reverse. St. Brown then quickly pitched it back to Goff.
Tight end Brock Wright was on the receiving end of the reverse flea-flicker, resulting in a 36-yard touchdown that extended Detroit's lead to 24-13.
Amon-Ra St. Brown has one of the best rookie seasons in Lions history
Without a true No. 1 wideout on the roster, a rookie emerged and became the de-facto go-to player in the Motor City.
With a returning Goff, St. Brown continued to be a focal point of the offense Sunday.
Certainly, Detroit delivered some fun moments in the finale, but it started the second half with two three-and-outs in three possessions, which included a partially blocked punt.
With Green Bay finding its footing on the ground in the second half, St. Brown's reliability aided the offense at the most critical moment of the game.
After the Packers cut the lead to two, 24-22, St. Brown's number was called yet again. His seventh reception of the afternoon gave Detroit the much-needed first down to extend its drive.
The Packers were able to take a 30-27 lead on a tight-end screen to Josiah Daniel Deguara that went for 62 yards.
Detroit was able to respond, with D'Andre Swift scoring on a 14-yard scamper that gave the Lions a 34-30 advantage. Riley Patterson extended the lead to seven, 37-30, with a 27-yard field goal, with 0:27 to play in the contest. And then, Tracy Walker sealed the deal with an interception of Green Bay backup signal-caller Jordan Love.
Among the reasons many find the Lions to be "loveable losers" is the emergence of St. Brown, a wide receiver that several NFL teams passed on in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Raj Mehta, USA TODAY Sports
© David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Rodgers left the game after the first half
Detroit won the opening coin toss, and elected to give Aaron Rodgers a chance to showcase his skills immediately.
The future Hall of Famer did not disappoint, as he capped off a 13-play, 74-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Allen Lazard.
Rodgers was 6-of-8 for 56 yards passing, and converted four third downs on the game's opening drive.
His afternoon was done after one half of football. He finished 14-of-18 for 138 yards, two touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 135.6.
© Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
