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Packers QB Aaron Rodgers celebrates his 27 yard touchdown run, the longest of his career

It started out ugly but the Green Bay Packers pulled out yet another early victory and swept the season series against the Detroit Lions with a 27-20 victory at Lambeau Field.

It was a rather unusual win for the Packers.  They gained nearly as many yards on the ground as they did through the air and after 35 consecutive games, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not throw a touchdown pass at Lambeau Field.

The emergence of the running game was the story of this contest, as well as the Packers not panicking after spotting Detroit an early 14-0 lead.  They showed once again that no team handles adversity better than they do and that will serve them well going into the playoffs.  If the running game can continue to grow, then Rodgers will go from being deadly to unstoppable.   A solid Packers rushing attack is the last thing many opponents want to see.

Here are the good and not-so-good performances from the game against the Lions.

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Game Balls

WR Randall Cobb  Read more... (1032 words + 1 image, estimated 4:08 mins reading time)

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Packers QB Aaron Rodgers looks down the field against the Lions on Sunday

It was ugly but when it comes to winning division games, the Green Bay Packers will take any kind of victory.

In their 24-20 win over the Detroit Lions, the Packers made enough plays on defense plus one spectacular Randall Cobb catch late in the fourth quarter to come out on top to go to 7-3 on the season and 2-0 in the NFC North.

The Packers had their issues on offense but the defense was spectacular.   Matthew Stafford was sacked five times and intercepted twice, including one that was returned for a touchdown.  Even without linebacker Clay Matthews, the defense was aggressive and the young players in the secondary came up big when a play needed to be made.

The offense, on the other hand, was another story.   With Bryan Bulaga now out for the year, TJ Lang was moved to right tackle and Evan Dietrich-Smith got the start at left guard.   Their inexperience at their respective positions was evident thanks to multiple holding penalties and quarterback Rodgers often running for his life.

Let’s take a look at the good and the not-so-good from Sunday’s game. There were many standouts, but here are three that played well and three that left room for improvement.

Game Balls

TE Jermichael Finley

We have all been pretty tough on the Packers starting tight end, but to finally be able to put him in the Game Ball part of this column is an absolute thrill.  Read more... (1536 words + 1 image, estimated 6:09 mins reading time)

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Packers TE Jermichael Finley came up big with two clutch catches in the Packers’ 24-20 win over the Lions.

Pregame notes

Big test for the Packers on the offensive line as Evan Dietrich-Smith gets the start at left guard with Bryan Bulaga on IR.  T.J. Lang moves from left guard to right tackle.

Will we see Suh Stomp II: Electric Bugaloo today?

Packers inactives:

WR Jarrett Boykin, S Charles Woodson, CB Sam Shields, LB Clay Matthews , LB Terrell Manning , TE Andrew Quarless, WR Greg Jennings

Lions inactives:

S Louis Delmas, DT Corey Williams, DE Ronnell Lewis, WR Brian Robiskie, T Jason Fox, T Corey Hilliard, QB Kellen Moore.

Mike McCarthy on WTMJ pregame:

On benefits of the bye: Bye weeks always beneficial. Team is healthier and has more energy, had extra day of practice.

On Offensive Line injuries: TJ Lang from LG to RT, EDS playing LG.

On cross training: Ability to know multiple positions benefits team, confident in lineup.  Battle against Lions D line key to win.

On Missing Matthews: utilizing personnel, get some production out of Dezman Moses.  Using any and all healthy linebackers.

On First down defense:  Playing with favorable sticks helps control the game.

On playing well in domes under Rodgers: Credit to the players and personnel acquisition.

On Stafford: Can make all the throws, big numbers for a reason.  Going to stretch them schematically.  Read more... (1344 words + 1 image, estimated 5:23 mins reading time)

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