Studs and Duds: Packers Pick on Jerry Jacobs, O-Line Falters
The Detroit Lions were served a sour dish of disappointment on Thanksgiving, falling 29-22 to NFC North rival Green Bay Thursday.
Detroit drops to 8-3 with the loss. The loss to Green Bay is the first for Dan Campbell and the Lions since Week 2 of the 2021 season. Additionally, it's the seventh-straight Thanksgiving loss for the Lions.
Here are studs and duds from Thursday's game:
STUD: TE Sam LaPorta
LaPorta got the offense rolling on the first series, collecting two catches for 38 yards and scoring the team's first touchdown.
First he hauled in a pass from Goff and wound up with 31 yards to get inside the Packers' red zone. The Lions would go back to the rookie just two plays later, as Goff hit him for the 7-yard score.
LaPorta would finish with five catches for 47 yards.
DUD: CB Jerry Jacobs
The Packers saw matchups they liked against Jacobs and didn't hesitate to attack them. Among those were connections with Malik Heath and Christian Watson.
Watson beat Jacobs for a touchdown in the third quarter, while Heath finished with four catches for 46 yards working primarily against Jacobs.
Cam Sutton was beat on the first play from scrimmage by Watson, who hauled in a 53-yard pass from Jordan Love. The veteran cornerback, who has been Detroit's top player at the position this year, struggled to stay in front of his assignments Thursday.
The game's first touchdown came on a superb throw from Love to Jayden Reed, who was lined up against rookie Brian Branch.
Sutton was also beat by Heath on a dagger concept on Green Bay's second drive as well. Later on that possession, he missed a tackle on Watson when he tried to strip the ball.
STUD: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
St. Brown continued to produce, notching 95 yards receiving on nine catches. The third-year wideout inched closer to his second consecutive 1,000 yard campaign, as he now stands at 993 yards through 11 games.
Among his catches was an impressive display of strength in the third quarter. He hauled in a contested catch against Carrington Valentine, then wrestled the ball away as the two fought for possession.
The wideout was one of several players who made an impact from his position. Kalif Raymond notched a season-high 90 yards on five catches and added six yards on a reverse run.
Jameson Williams, meanwhile, notched two catches for 51 yards including a third-down conversion on a crossing route. Josh Reynolds added a fourth quarter touchdown reception with under a minute remaining.
DUD: QB Jared Goff
For the second straight game, Goff turned the ball over three times. Under duress for much of the afternoon, his accuracy was spotty and he appeared uncomfortable.
His first giveaway directly resulted in a touchdown, as Jonathan Owens scooped up the fumble and raced 27 yards for a score. He fumbled again on the ensuing drive, but the Lions' defense was able to bounce back.
He missed Sam LaPorta high and away in the first half on what would've been an easy third down conversion, and later missed LaPorta in the end zone on a fourth down.
Goff, like last week, looked his best late in the game. If the Lions are to regain a level of sustained success, Goff must be at this level more consistently.
STUD: RB David Montgomery
After a slower start, Montgomery bounced back to light a spark for Detroit's offense in the third quarter. He totaled 15 carries for 71 yards and scored a touchdown on the team's first possession of the second half to inject life into Ford Field.
The Packers bottled up the Lions' run game early, but Detroit was able to find a groove before the late-game situation necessitated going to the air. Montgomery averaged 4.7 yards per carry, while Jahmyr Gibbs averaged 4.9.
Gibbs caught four passes for 19 yards to go along with 54 yards rushing on 11 carries.
DUD: OT Taylor Decker
The Lions were surprisingly overwhelmed by the Green Bay pass rush. Decker was the primary blocker working against Rashan Gary and struggled to stay in front of the Michigan product.
Gary had three sacks Thursday, with two resulting in forced fumbles. Decker struggled to protect Goff's blind side. In total, the Packers notched 12 quarterback hits.
The Lions' offensive line missed veteran guard Jonah Jackson dearly. Stunts on the left side of the line often left either Decker or rookie Colby Sorsdal vulnerable, while Preston Smith caused problems for Graham Glasgow and Penei Sewell on the right side.
