Packers can't execute in 31-23 loss to Lions

[October 08, 2018]  Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes, LaGarrette Blount scored on two short-yardage runs and the host Detroit Lions took a 24-point first half lead and held on to defeat the sloppy Green Bay Packers 31-23 on Sunday.

Stafford passed for 183 yards and Kenny Golladay caught four passes for 98 yards and a score for Detroit (2-3). Rookie Kerryon Johnson rushed for 70 yards on 12 carries before departing in the second half with an injury.

Aaron Rodgers passed for 442 yards and three touchdowns but also fumbled twice for the Packers (2-2-1). Mason Crosby missed four of five field goal attempts and an extra point. Davante Adams caught nine passes for 140 yards and a touchdown but Green Bay lost to Detroit for the third straight time.

The Lions took advantage of three Green Bay turnovers and three missed Crosby field goals to establish a 24-0 halftime lead.

Detroit caught a huge break in the early going when the officials ruled that a Lions punt bounced off the back of the Packers' Kevin King. The Lions recovered on the 1-yard-line and scored on Blount's plunge.

Following Crosby's first miss, Blount scored on another plunge four plays later. That score was set up by Stafford's 60-yard pass to Golladay.

Rodgers' first fumble led to a Matt Prater 39-yard field goal. Rodgers fumbled in the final minute of the half on a Da'Shawn Hand sack, who also recovered the ball at Green Bay's 29.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) drops back to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The Lions cashed in on Stafford's 8-yard bullet over the middle to Marvin Jones.

Green Bay got on the board when Rodgers found Marquez Valdes-Scantling open in the end zone on a 3-yard pass play. Rodgers then hit Jamaal Williams on a 2-point conversion to make it 24-8 early in the third quarter.

Rodgers' 1-yard pass to tight end Lance Kendricks pulled Green Bay within 10 later in the quarter. The 2-point conversion try failed.

Stafford's 5-yard scoring pass to Golladay with 12:55 left made it 31-14.

Rodgers' 12-yard touchdown toss to Adams with 9:01 remaining cut Detroit's lead to 11 but Crosby missed the extra point.

--Field Level Media

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