Caldwell won, says he’s not done
Associated Press
DETROIT — Jim Caldwell’s cool and calm demeanor was on display in what might’ve been his last game as coach of the Lions.
Caldwell chatted with each of his players as they stretched before the game, as he always does. And after it, he didn’t seem to give anyone an indication his future with the franchise was in doubt.
Matthew Stafford threw three touchdown passes, and Detroit beat the turnover- prone and short- handed Packers 35- 11 Sunday in amatchup of teams out of the playoff race.
The Lions ( 9- 7) finished with a winning record in consecutive seasons for the first time since doing it three years in a row from 1993 to 1995. That relative feat, along with a 36- 28 record and two postseason appearances in four seasons, might not be enough for Caldwell to keep his job.
“I’mnot done yet,” Caldwell said with a slight grin.
Lions linebacker Tahir Whitehead said Caldwell didn’t look or sound as if he was coaching him for the last time.
“He’s the same guy, win, lose or draw, same tone,” Whitehead said. “That’s what you’ve got to love about him.”
The Packers ( 7- 9) have a losing record for the first time since 2008, which is also the last time they didn’t earn a spot in the playoffs. Their chances were crushed by Aaron Rodgers missing nine games with a collarbone injury,
Green Bay, without several banged- up players, gave away its chances to close with a win by turning it over three times to help the Lions lead 20- 3 at halftime.
“The way we took care of the ball was unacceptable, and it obviously had a big impact on the game,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said
The Packers surprised Detroit by opening with an onside kick they recovered, but they didn’t take advantage because Jamaal Williams bobbled a pass that was picked off by Jarrad Davis. They did take a 3- 0 lead on Mason Crosby’s 41- yard field goal late in the first quarter, but Detroit tied it on the next possession and took control in the second quarter.
Stafford threw a go- ahead 54yard pass to Kenny Golladay. After Green Bay’s Donatello Brown allowed a punt to hit him, the Lions recovered to set up Stafford’s three- yard pass to Marvin Jones to put Detroit up 17- 3. Stafford threw a 71- yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate late in the third quarter, giving the Lions a 27- 3 lead.
Brett Hundley threw a 17- yard touchdown pass and two- point conversion to Randall Cobb to close the Packers’ deficit to 16 early in the fourth quarter. Hundley was 14- for24 for 172 yards with two interceptions and a fumble. He was replaced by Joe Callahan late in the game.
“We had a lot of opportunities,” Hundley said. “We just stopped ourselves.”