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Lions Take Advantage Of Mistakes In 31-23 Win Over Packers

The Detroit Lions took advantage of some mistakes they forced Green Bay to make and were fortunate some breaks simply went their way.

Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes and LeGarrette Blount ran for two scores, lifting the Lions to a 31-23 win over the Packers on Sunday.

Green Bay Packers v Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 07: Running back LeGarrette Blount #29 of the Detroit Lions crosses the end zone line against the Green Bay Packers for a touchdown during the first quarter at Ford Field on October 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Detroit (2-3) earned a win it desperately needed under first-year coach Matt Patricia, going into its bye week.

"We get two weeks to 10 days to sit on whatever happens," said Stafford, who was 14 of 26 for 183 yards with two TDs and no turnovers. "And, it feels a whole lot better with a win."

Green Bay (2-2-1) was doomed because veteran Mason Crosby had the worst game of his life and two-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers lost two fumbles for just the third time in his 14-year career.

Green Bay Packers v Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 07: Kicker Mason Crosby #2 of the Green Bay Packers reacts to missing one of the three field goal attempts against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field on October 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Mason missed four field goals in the game.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

"We just couldn't overcome all the things we did wrong," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "We did some good things in the second half, but you can't dig yourself that kind of hole."

Crosby missed a career-high four field goals in one game and failed to make an extra point to boot. He connected on a field goal with 2 seconds left, but that wasn't of much consolation after his poor performance.

Green Bay Packers v Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 07: Kicker Mason Crosby #2 of the Green Bay Packers reacts to missing his fourth field goal attempt in the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Detroit Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers 31-23. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

"I look back and I'm thinking, in my childhood, in high school, this is definitely one of the worst ones," said Crosby, the first NFL kicker to miss four field goals in a game since 2010.

Detroit recovered an onside kick to seal the win, preventing Rodgers from getting another chance at a game-winning Hail Mary in Detroit like the one he threw in 2015.

The Lions built a big lead in the first half, picking up where they left off in their last home game, a 16-point win over the New England Patriots.

Blount had a pair of 1-yard TD runs in the first quarter and Stafford's 8-yard pass to Marvin Jones late in the second quarter put Detroit up 24-0.

Green Bay Packers v Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 07: Marvin Jones #11 of the Detroit Lions catches a touchdown pass infront of Kevin King #20 of the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Ford Field on October 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Patricia, though, didn't think the Lions' cushion was comfortable.

"Unfortunately, I've seen that quarterback on the other side there crush a lot of leads pretty quickly and come back," said Patricia, a former Patriots defensive coordinator.

Rodgers, missing injured receivers Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison, threw short TDs to rookie Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Lance Kendricks in the third to pull the Packers within 10 points.

Stafford answered with a 5-yard TD pass to Kenny Golladay early in the fourth quarter to give Detroit a 31-14 lead.

Green Bay Packers v Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 07: Kenny Golladay #19 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a second half touchdown with Matthew Stafford #9 while playing the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on October 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

"It was big to chew up some time to give our defense a little bit of a rest and come away with some points," Stafford said.

Rodgers connected with Davante Adams on a 12-yard throw for a third TD pass, but Crosby hit the left upright on the extra point to let the Lions keep an 11-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. Adams has scored in 10 straight road games, equaling a league record set by Tommy McDonald of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1959 to 1961.

Rodgers was 32 of 52 for 442 yards — the second-highest total of his career — with three TD passes.

"We've been a one-half team all year," he said. "We need to do something about that."

STREAKING

The Lions, who didn't face Rodgers last year, have won three straight in the series for the first time the 1990-91 seasons.

SOUND STRATEGY

Detroit had success on defense, going after Rodgers with just four players and dropping seven into coverage. Rodgers held onto the ball to wait for receivers to get open, but they couldn't, and it led to three sacks and his two fumbles.

"They gave up rushers in order to extend plays, and they got some turnovers out of it," McCarthy said. "We're usually successful in those situations, but they did some good things."

INJURY REPORT

Packers: LB Nick Perry (ankle) and CB Kevin King (chin) were hurt during the game.

Lions: RB Kerryon Johnson, who ran for 70 yards on 12 carries, went out in the fourth quarter after appearing to hurt his right ankle. CB Teez Tabor (groin) and CB Jamal Agnew (knee) also left the game with injuries.

UP NEXT

Packers: Host San Francisco on Monday, Oct. 15.

Lions: Off until playing at Miami on Oct. 21.

© 2018 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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