Takeaways from Lions' 34-20 Win against Packers
Last season, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell stood in front of his team, after defeating the Green Packers to end the season, and said, "All roads go through Detroit."
The Lions used a fast start to dominate early against the Packers in front of a stunned Lambeau Field crowd.
Detroit's young roster marched into Lambeau Field, determined to finish the game as NFC North division leaders, and survived the second-half charge of their rival, who valiantly fought to try and make it a competitive game.
After getting out to a three-touchdown lead, Detroit held on for the 14-point win.
With their 34-20 victory, the Lions now sit atop the NFC North.
Next Sunday, the Lions will return to Ford Field, seeking to avenge their loss to the Carolina Panthers from last season.
Here are six takeaways from the Lions' first division win of the season.
Jared Goff overcomes early interception
Prior to the Lions' Week 2 game against the Seahawks, the veteran quarterback did not toss an interception for 383 consecutive passes.
In fact, the streak began against the Packers in Week 9 last November.
Unfortunately, Goff's interception on Detroit's opening possession to safety Rudy Ford was his third consecutive game turning the football over.
After the Packers took the early 3-0 lead, Goff settled in and led the offense on a seven-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by a 24-yard touchdown toss to Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Packers only record one yard offensively in first quarter
Detroit's defense continued its aggressiveness against the Packers.
The disappointing loss to the Seahawks seemed to have been the wake-up call Aaron Glenn's defense needed, as the unit has looked completely different the past two games.
While Green Bay capitalized on an early turnover, Detroit's defensive line steadily enforced its will against a battered Packers offensive line.
Aidan Hutchinson and Isaiah Buggs, who was inactive the first two games of the season, recorded early sacks.
After 15 minutes of action, Detroit's divisional rival had only netted one total yard of offense.
The Packers recorded their first first down of the game midway through the second quarter. At the end of the half, the Lions led in the yardage category, 284-21.
Lions' coaches prepared team to succeed
The Lions quickly turned the page after defeating the Falcons, and began work on preparing for the Packers.
It became clear that Detroit was going to take advantage of defensive back Jaire Alexander being out and injuries to the Packers' offensive line.
The defense was relentless in its pursuit of Jordan Love, and the offense took advantage of mismatches, namely with tight end Sam LaPorta, running back David Montgomery and wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Even the broadcast crew raved at how aggressive and motivated the Lions played.
Recall, the Lions were playing on short rest, but nobody would have known the team played only four days ago, based on their play on the road.
Packers embarrassed, respond in the second half
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur expressed at halftime his team's performance was "embarrassing" to start the game and that he wanted to see his team stick together and compete.
Love and the offense responded, as they marched down the field to score their first touchdown of the game.
The officials tossed a questionable flag on linebacker Alex Anzalone, for use of his helmet to force running back Aaron Jones out of bounds.
Nickel cornerback Brian Branch left the game with an ankle injury.
After scoring, the Packers clearly gained momentum on both sides of the football.
Officials blow call at end of third quarter
As is often the case, the officials will be a topic of discussion. The Packers were allowed to run a play at the conclusion of the third quarter that should have been whistled for a delay of game.
Instead, the play was allowed to run, and the Packers' young signal-caller took advantage of Will Harris being in coverage, finding Jayden Reed for a 44-yard gain.
The drive was capped off by Love, who scampered nine yards to cut Detroit's lead to 10, 27-17. A failed two-point conversation kept the lead at 10 heading into the fourth quarter.
David Montgomery is a Dan Campbell guy
After battling a thigh bruise, Detroit's starting running back carried the football over 25 times.
When needed, the gritty runner was the option, especially in the red zone.
Facing a tough fourth-down decision in the fourth quarter, Campbell decided to go for it.
Quay Walker took an ill-timed penalty on Detroit's field-goal try, allowing Detroit to obtain a fresh set of downs to extend its lead to 17.
Montgomery finished with over 100 rushing yards in the Lions' Week 4 road win.
