The Green Bay Packers got exactly what they needed from the running game on Sunday afternoon against the Detroit Lions. On offense, the team was able to run the ball effectively in the second half and eventually put the game away with a late four-minute drive that featured a pair of first downs. On defense, Green Bay's front was swarming to the football and smothered any hope that the Lions had of establishing the run.
Of course, it was a different story through the air. Aaron Rodgers' first half was a thing of beauty, putting the team in position to salt away the game on the ground - but in fact it was the pass that failed them in the second half and helped contribute to Detroit's near-comeback. Meanwhile, that resurgence by the Lions was the result of poor pass coverage starting late in the second quarter.
With a bye week to figure out that phase of the game, the Packers will look to maintain their progress on the ground in two weeks against the New York Giants. In today's Cheese Curds, we examine how the run game was indeed so effective and much more.
What You Might've Missed: Good blocks and good fortune | Packers.com
The Packers' blockers did a good job for Eddie Lacy up front and they got some good luck with poor plays by the Lions' defense. All of that helped Lacy put up his first 100-yard game of the season.
Versatile Micah Hyde can do it all for Green Bay Packers - ESPN
Hyde remains at his best as a slot corner, but he can play both safety positions and return kicks and punts as well. His "never come off the field" attitude was forged as a high school player, when he was on the field for quite literally every play.
Packers averted potentially historic fold | Packersnews.com
Want some more reason for panic? The Packers had never blown a lead of more than 24 points and the Lions had never come back for a win when down by 25 or more. Thankfully, that didn't happen on Sunday.
Green and Bold: Packers Offense Finds Its Identity | Cheesehead TV
After re-watching the game, the Packers' offense was not nearly as conservative in the second half as some believed. Instead, a couple of key drops killed drives instead of sustaining them, and that helped the Lions get back in the game.
Yes, Mike Daniels, Packers' run defense still the NFL's best - ESPN
Daniels says last year's run defense was "horrible" and "embarrassing," and he's not wrong. The Packers have given up fewer yards on the ground through three games this year than they did in their first two quarters of football last season.
Best player at every position in NFL Week 3 | PFF
He's back, baby. Aaron Rodgers is back on top of the QB rankings for this week.
J.J. Watt could reportedly miss the rest of the season after re-injuring his back - SBNation.com
If this is the case, Watt would miss his first game as a pro at Lambeau Field, which would surely be disappointing for the Pewaukee native.
Fans honor ex-NFLer Tom Crabtree's forgettable career via Photoshop | theScore.com
ALL HAIL CRAB PEOPLE! (Also, nice one, Matub!)