The Detroit Lions left Lambeau Field with a 30-10 victory on Monday Night Football. Here are key three takeaways from the Week 9 win.
The Detroit Lions headed into Week 9 having lost their last three games. At the beginning of the week, they were third in the NFC North, falling one game behind the Green Bay Packers. They hit the road in an attempt to save their season and to face off against their division rivals, the aforementioned Pack, who they hadn’t beat on the road since 1991.
This win that they picked up on Monday Night Football was just what the Lions needed to still be in the running to make the playoffs. They are now tied for second with the Packers (but own the tiebreaker), and only two spots behind the Minnesota Vikings.
Here are three key takeaways for the Lions that stood out the most in the victory over Green Bay.
3. Stafford’s Back
Matthew Stafford finally looked like the highest paid quarterback in the NFL. Starting in the first quarter, Stafford looked like an elite quarterback. Slinging balls downfield, and completing his 200th career touchdown pass.
He continued to drive the ball downfield throughout the first half. Stafford had great control over his offense, not needing to punt once on that night. That was the first time the Lions didn’t need to punt in a game since 1971.
Stafford finished the night with 361 yards and two touchdowns. He needs to continue to take control of his team, because this is most unified we’ve seen the boys all season. If Stafford keeps the momentum going, he will take his team to the playoffs.
2. Shut Down Defense
The Lions defense actually looked like a solid group of defenders on Monday night. Tahir Whitehead had an early sack, while A’Shawn Robinson deflected a field goal. Halfway through the second quarter, the Packers had been held to less than 30 passing yards. By halftime, that total was at just 80 yards.
A team that doesn’t usually boast about their defense can enjoy their Week 9 performance. We can expect to see another great defensive week from the Lions as they take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 10.
Next: NFL QB Power Rankings 2017: Week 10
1. The Run Game
The Lions haven’t had a 100-yard rushing game since 2013. Monday marked 57 consecutive games in that streak. In the fourth quarter, Ameer Abdullah was shut down twice before Stafford was stuffed at third-and-goal. He also had two fumbles, one lost, before being benched for the rest of the game. Theo Riddick only had 11 yards on five attempts, but he saved face on a 63-yard gain on a screen pass. The offensive line needs to work on their run game.
Although the Browns haven’t won any games, and have issues on their offense, they have the best rushing defense in the NFL. They need to focus on strengthening their running game if they want to avoid safety Derrick Kindred and linebacker Christian Kirksey in Week 10.