Packers Defense Recap In Loss To Lions: Almost Another Shutout

by Brandon on Dec 14, 2010 2:00 PM CST in Green Bay Packers Analysis

The Green Bay Packers defense allowed only one scoring drive, and almost had their second shutout of the season. They took WR Calvin Johnson out of the game (one reception for 44 yards, but the other seven passes thrown to him were all incomplete) and there isn't much to the Lions offense thereafter. There was really only one exception to a dominant defensive performance.

With 14:32 to go in the fourth quarter, the Lions ran a 12 play, 80 yard drive, and scored a touchdown. They were 2 for 2 on 3rd down efficiency, and QB Drew Stanton was 5 of 6 for 49 yards and 1 touchdown. The Lions got everything together for one drive, and that was all they needed.

For the rest of the game, the Lions were 1 for 13 on 3rd down, and Stanton was 5 of 16 for 68 yards and 2 interceptions. They were able to run the ball, but the Packers were giving them those rushing plays. Dom Capers kept the defense in a nickel package almost the entire game, and was often playing with only two defensive lineman. The Lions have been running the ball better lately, and that defensive scheme was designed to let them run. But eventually Stanton would have to throw the ball to keep drives alive, and that's when they stopped them.

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1 score on 14 possesions?

shut the front door!

by arodgb on Dec 14, 2010 3:03 PM CST reply actions

Against a 3rd string. . .

You would think against a 3rd string QB you would not have to be in the Nickel package to stop the pass. Either way the defense didn’t give up much, you won’t win many games when the offense only scores 3 points

by Ryanweiss13 on Dec 14, 2010 3:14 PM CST reply actions

A good meaningless effort

Too bad the good defensive performance was made irrelevant by an offense that acted like they had overdosed on sleep medicines (or were playing for Wade Phillips).

by docg on Dec 14, 2010 4:14 PM CST reply actions

Look ahead

The Detroit game is over and lost – isn’t the upcoming game with New England a more pressing concern for the Packers ? How in hell is Green Bay going to beat the Patriots on Sunday night ?

by profootballfanatic on Dec 14, 2010 6:28 PM CST reply actions

Every week Brandon posts a recap of the rpevious game to point out what went right, and what didn't.

The Pats preview will be up in a few days.

Anthony Tolliver says "Get that weak stuff outta here!"

EXTEND JASON RICHARDSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Omaha Sun on Dec 14, 2010 9:17 PM CST up reply actions

*previous

Anthony Tolliver says "Get that weak stuff outta here!"

EXTEND JASON RICHARDSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Omaha Sun on Dec 14, 2010 9:17 PM CST up reply actions

Got it... thanks Omaha

by profootballfanatic on Dec 15, 2010 9:44 AM CST up reply actions

nickles

when you dont have any healthy linemen you gotta play nickle

by fn_cold_ak on Dec 14, 2010 7:03 PM CST reply actions

Seems like even when guys are healthy we still spend all our time in the nickel. I don’t particularly mind it but we’re definitely weaker against the run in it.

by packallday555 on Dec 14, 2010 8:46 PM CST up reply actions

It depends upon how the offense comes out

We don’t just go into the Nickel because we are thin at linemen. We go to the Nickel Formation because the Offense is playing 3 WR’s, 1 TE, and 1 RB. With more teams shifting towards the idea of spreading the field with at least 3 WR’s, defenses are countering with more Nickel Schemes.

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Dec 15, 2010 3:27 AM CST up reply actions

We often still play nickel when a team’s only got 2 Wr’s out there. Probably because it allows Woodson to roam around.

by packallday555 on Dec 15, 2010 12:42 PM CST up reply actions

I haven't noticed that yet

I’ll keep a look out for it though. That doesn’t make much sense given the Nickel Package is most vulnerable to the run. It’s not a matter of being thin at DL, because we still have Green, Raji, and Pickett to line up in the base and Wilson and Wynn to rotate, but rotate more in the Nickel and Dime Packages.

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Dec 15, 2010 5:21 PM CST up reply actions

They used it some vs Detroit

Maybe about 25% of the base offense for Detroit was against the Packers nickel D. Just a guess on that, but that seems about right based on what I remember.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Dec 15, 2010 7:27 PM CST up reply actions