2015 - Week #10 Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers (Week 9 was the Bye Week)

Not a misprint.

The 2-7 Detroit Lions narrowing beat the 6-3 Green Bay Packers (no, that is not a misprint) in Green Bay for the first time since the year 1991 (no, that is not a misprint either). Matthew Stafford was 24 of 38 (63.157%) for 242 yards 2 TDs and 1 INT. Aaron Rodgers was 35 of 61 (57.377%) for 333 yards 2 TDs and 0 INTs (you guessed it, not a misprint). Nevin Lawson, who was targeted at least 7 times during the game, had got the start for Rashean Mathis who the Lions placed on injured reserve the other day to join teammate Deandre Levy. Appears the Packers game plan consisted of targeting the corner during his first start, and it nearly worked, until he too went out with an injury and the recently signed (as in yesterday) Crezdon Butler took over to prevent the game tying 2 point conversion.

There was plenty of bad during this game, but there was also some good, and I must say the coaching from before the bye to this week did seem to improve at least a little, perhaps the self reflection that likely occurred during the bye week had just enough of an affect to show the problems with the Lions is not 100% on the players but was and is in effect partially and correctly placed also on the coaching staff. A few players received snaps due to injury and during the game RT Waddle was benched in favor of Michael Ola (signed on October 21st) who made some errors but not nearly as many as Waddle had in his limited play. I expect the Lions will be trying out a number of different players along the offensive line as they work towards trying to find out what they have before this upcoming off season.

The moves and try outs on the OL won't be the only changes though, out of necessity the defense will be getting new looks as well, primarily due to more injuries, but also due to some players not producing as they should. I would have loved to have heard all the discussions that happened during the bye week that got the entire team to turn things around (at least for one game) and to get the win at Lambeau Field (I swear, no, that is not a misprint).

Next Sunday the Lions host the Oakland Raiders then 4 days later they host the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving day. I'm not predicting wins for the Lions at either game but I will take more all out play by whoever is healthy enough to take the field. I also rather enjoyed the slightly improved coaching, may it too continue. While some fans feel the Lions should lose all their games just to make sure the front office is cleaned out and they get the 1st overall pick in the draft, I am not of that camp. Never settle, never quit, never stop trying to win. It's a culture the Lions need to instill in their team regardless of who is in charge.

At present the Minnesota Vikings are leading the division (no, that is not a misprint) and I'm pleased the Lions were able to prevent the Packers from sharing that spot with them. May they continue to play the spoiler this year as much as possible.