Lions fall to Green Bay

GREEN BAY — The Detroit Lions started fast, but wasted scoring opportunities and a series of critical defensive penalties on third downs resulted in a heartbreaking, 23-22 loss to the Green Bay Packers Monday night.

Down two points, the Packers took possession with 6:46 remaining and put together a 14-play, game-ending drive. Lions defensive end Trey Flowers was called for illegal hands to the face following a third-down stop, for the second straight possession, allowing Packers kicker Mason Crosby to hit the winning, 23yard field goal as time expired.

The night had started so promising for Detroit. The team wasted little time opening up its playbook, running a flea flicker on the game’s opening snap.

The Packers safeties bit hard on the play fake, leaving wide receiver Kenny Golladay wide open for a 66-yard gain down to the 11yard line. But the Lions’ momentum was quickly derailed when quarterback Matthew Stafford fumbled after colliding with fullback Nick Bellore. On third down, Stafford stumbled in the pocket and his intended target, tight end Jesse James, also lost his footing, leaving the Lions to settle for a short field goal and an early, 3-0 lead.

The defense quickly got the ball back for Stafford and company, forcing a three-and-out when nickel cornerback Justin Coleman jarred a third-down pass free from the grasp of wide receiver Geronimo Allison, forcing the punt.

Much like the Lions’ first drive, the first play was a deep shot. This time, Stafford found Marvin Hall for a 58-yard gain into the red zone. A third-down conversion on a short throw to Golladay set up Kerryon Johnson for a 1-yard scoring plunge on fourth-and-goal, extending the early lead to 10.

Stafford finished the first quarter with 168 yards passing, a team record.