He added a third touchdown pass – a two-yarder to Richard Rodgers – on the Packers’ third possession.
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Rodgers was 15 of 24, leading the Packers to touchdowns on their first three series.
The Packers started their next drive with good yardage thanks to a weird interpretation of an kick out of bounds penalties, and they got even better position when Jordy Nelson caught a 40-yard pass. Jordy Nelson would get the Rodgers strike again soon after for the second Packers touchdown.
While Rodgers finished the day with only 205 passing yards, the first-half numbers were startling.
He rectified that in the first quarter alone.
The good news for Rodgers and his legions of Packers’ supporters is that the Lions in no way present the same type of defense the Vikings featured last Sunday.
He got back to quick-hitting plays that took only seconds to develop and then sprinkled in the occasional freelancing completions when the designs broke down.
The Lions gained 211 yards in the first half. And, two, would the Lions ever win a game at Lambeau Field?
Insignificant though it may seem, this peculiarity of preparation carries legitimate import as the Packers prepare for their home opener against the Detroit Lions.
The second half on the other hand.We saw the Packers do something that they try far too often, and McCarthy went into his shell and attempted to run out the entire half, all while most of his defense was out with injuries.
Jordy Nelson’s first touchdown came after his quarterback escaped the pocket while keeping his eyes down field.
However, Stafford’s 35-yard touchdown to Jones made it a one-score game, and gave Stafford 385 yards and three touchdowns and Jones 205 yards and two scores on six receptions.
Offensively, the Packers are averaging 20.5 points and 278.5 total yards (189.5 in passing and 89.0 yards in rushing) per game.
He just didn’t get any help. The Lions scored 17 unanswered points in the second half, but never got the ball back after getting within one score.
He was able to get right back on track on Sunday, and I fully expect him to continue to have success going forward. They’ll be running into the teeth of a Green Bay defense that ranks No. 1 in the National Football League by a considerable margin in rushing yards allowed per game (39) and per carry (1.6). It was the first 100-yard game since December 21, 2014 for Nelson, who missed the entire 2015 season with a knee injury. With Ameer Abdullah out, there’s no doubt that Jones is the Lions best playmaker.
The Lions visit Green Bay for a noon CDT kickoff on Sunday.
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The Lions were playing without defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, but the Packers were missing several defensive starters with linebacker Clay Matthews, cornerback Sam Shields and defensive lineman Datone Jones sidelined.
