Week 4 TNF Review: Lions Punk Packers

Let’s call the Detroit Lions convincing win against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field what it was. An ass kicking.

The Lions were flawless in the first half barring a pick on the first drive, the only blemish for Goff or the defense. Even though the Packers offense started with the ball on the Lions 16 yard line, they were held to only a field goal. Detroit’s defense didn’t get scored on the rest of the half.

Goff’s first touchdown drive ended with a beautifully schemed open pass to Amon Ra St. Brown who dove into the end zone. Next David Montgomery powered his way through to the end zone on the goal line, then a field goal, another goal line score by Montgomery, and another field goal.

Following the Packers opening score, the Lion’s scored in four consecutive drives, and five of six total. A symphony of boos rained down from the stands as both teams went to the locker room following the Lions putting up 27 unanswered points.

Detroit dominated by out-gaining Green Bay 284 yards to 21. 21 measly yards is all Green Bay could muster in the first half as the passing game struggled to make any connections besides with Jerry Jacobs, the defensive back who picked off Jordan Love on a tipped pass in between Montgomery’s two touchdowns.

With a 27-3 lead entering the second half, the offense featured the run to bleed clock shortening the game. Even when they Packers went on a little run gasping their last gasp with touchdowns from Christian Watson catch and a keeper from Love to trim the lead to 10, Detroit channeled their aggressive approach from the first half immediately responded with Montgomery’s third touchdown on the day on fourth and goal. 5 plays later, the defense capitalized with another interception on a pass intended for Romeo Doubs demonstrating miscommunication between Love and his receiver. The game was never in question.

No tricks and no gimmicks, at least not as many as usual for Dan Campbell’s typically chaotically fun aggressive play-calling style that includes calling a fake punt on their own 17 yard-line against Kansas City to open the season. It wasn’t necessary against Green Bay Thursday night. The Lions offense controlled the pace of the game by running the ball down their throat and scheming creative passes to beat the soul out of the Packers.

Sloppiness and a lack of fire on the Packers is the perfect juxtaposition for the Lions performance that demonstrated toughness, preparation and confidence. The creativity the Lions use on offense paired with young skilled players like star receiver Amon Ra St. Brown and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta give Goff room to excel, which is set up by their ground and pound rushing attack.

Campbell sent a message in Thursday night’s win that places Detroit in first place atop the NFC North. These aren’t your daddy’s Detroit Lions, nor are they your grandaddy’s. Hell, they aren’t even your great grandaddy’s. This Lions team doesn’t care about the Packers dominating the division for over two decades, or that they have just one postseason win since 1957. These Detroit Lions have staked their claim on the NFC North for the long haul.

My prediction is that the Lions will win the NFC North this year and many years to come. And for Green Bay, their fanbase will slip into the pair of shoes worn by Minnesota, Chicago, and Detroit fans for years. No longer are the Packers looking down on the peasants of the NFC North, they are now looking up at their new rulers in the Lions.

Lions fans have been waiting their entire lives for a team like this. A team that beats the defending champions in their house to open the season. A team that can win ugly like in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons. A team that can go into Green Bay and punk the rival Packers while invading the stands with a sea of blue.

Enjoy the climb Lions fans. One day the collective NFL community won’t be cheering for the plucky underdog, lovable loser Detroit Lions. Fans will learn to hate Detroit once the Lions bite and claw their favorite team leaving them with only one ass cheek and three toes. This may not be the year Detroit hosts Lombardi, but that day for the first time maybe ever is a feasible reality in the not so distant future. The Lions championship window is about to open, if it hasn’t already creeped open already. And once opened, Campbell will beat your ass.