A much-debated 44-yard catch at the end of the third quarter by Jayden Reed briefly gave the Green Bay Packers life. But overall, Thursday Night Football’s Week 4 matchup became a dominating affair for the Detroit Lions.
Who represents our winners in the Lions’ 34-20 romp? Who gets the loser label? We have the tale of the tape from Thursday’s clash at Lambeau Field.
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Winners From Week 4 Thursday Night Football
Detroit RB David Montgomery
David Montgomery had six career two-touchdown games before TNF.
He delivered his first career three-touchdown night at Lambeau Field. And he became the bell-cow back with 32 carries, 121 yards, and his three rushing touchdowns of 3, 2, and 1 yard.
David Montgomery has rushed for 2 touchdowns tonight. Montgomery now has 3 games since last season with 2+ rushing TDs (via @IE_NFL).pic.twitter.com/x1TNBrUIeD
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 29, 2023
Detroit QB Jared Goff
Not the most eye-grabbing of nights from Jared Goff when you look at the statistics.
But, he was efficient enough to deliver 7.5 yards per play, threw for 210 yards, and set the tone on Detroit’s side with this 24-yard connection to Amon-Ra St. Brown — in which Goff clearly saw Rasul Douglas fall.
Rasul Douglas lost his ankles 😱 pic.twitter.com/kdf3m8Whrg
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 29, 2023
Goff also ended up getting seven different receivers involved in the Lions’ air attack.
Detroit WR Josh Reynolds
Josh Reynolds caught just three passes, but he averaged 23 yards a catch.
And he reeled in this highlight-worthy one-hander with his right hand.
We see you Josh Reynolds 👀 pic.twitter.com/Bpaol8MXBI
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 29, 2023
Furthermore, Reynolds now has gained 20 yards or more on 19 of his 77 career catches. That’s good enough to make him 10th-best among 80 qualified NFL wide receivers per Inside Edge.
Detroit Pass Rush
How about this to make yourself known? Aidan Hutchinson showed his grown-man strength by pulling down Jordan Love with only one hand.
Bull. Rush.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 29, 2023
From there, the Lions witnessed John Cominsky, Alim McNeil, Charles Harris, and Isaiah Buggs get on the sack sheet, all giving the Lions five total sacks on the night.
In the Middle
Green Bay LB Quay Walker
Quay Walker became the lone defensive highlight of what was a disappointing night for the Packers’ defense.
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The second-year linebacker delivered an astonishing 19 tackles and 10 solo stops. Both numbers immediately surpass his previous career best of 17 tackles and eight individual tackles from September 17 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Green Bay WR Romeo Doubs
Romeo Doubs ended the night with nine catches for 95 yards and averaged 10.6 yards per catch. And like Walker, both numbers now represent personal bests for the second-year receiver.
Losers
Green Bay QB Jordan Love
There were moments where it looked like Love had a deer-in-headlights look facing this Lions pass rush.
Unfortunately for Love, his most beautiful pass was the most controversial — the 44-yarder to Reed that saw three zeroes on the play clock.
Love ended his evening with 246 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Oh, he now has his second two-interception game in his career against Detroit.
Green Bay Offensive Line
This unit was bullied throughout the night against the Lions, which also didn’t help Love.
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But worse, and even with Aaron Jones playing with a bad hamstring, the run blocking only cleared the way for 27 rushing yards. Game script didn’t help, but there were no holes.
Green Bay Pass Defense
Yes, there was the early interception from Rudy Ford.
But the rest of the night saw Douglas falling, Reynolds pulling off the one-hander on Carrington Valentine, and this pass defense only breaking up two passes against Goff.
Lil’ Wayne
Did the New Orleans native — but Packers superfan — jinx the Packers?
The night began with the Grammy winner running onto the field with the Pack like he was set to play cornerback or special teams. But he witnessed his team get rolled after.
He hasn’t had a lot of luck with Packers-Lions lately. The last meeting at Lambeau ended with him calling out franchise legend Aaron Rodgers in saying the team should’ve gotten rid of him a long time ago.
Now, he witnessed Rodgers’ replacement and his team get trounced.
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