Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers speaks to the media via Zoom after the Packers fell to the Detroit Lions 37-30 in their regular-season finale Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, at Ford Field in Detroit.
Jim Polzin grades the Green Bay Packers’ performance in their 37-30 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit.
Offense: B-
Aaron Rodgers (135.6 passer rating) was sharp in one half of action, though the Packers were handed great field position on their second possession of the game and Rodgers and Co. went three-and-out and had to punt. Both AJ Dillon and Patrick Taylor, who scored his first NFL touchdown, ran hard. A fumble by Juwann Winfree in the third quarter was the first turnover by the Green Bay offense since Nov. 14 against Seattle. Jordan Love then proceeded to add two interceptions to that turnover total, ruining what had been a promising half for the backup quarterback.
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Defense: D
The Packers fell for two trick plays that led to long touchdown passes, one in each half. Detroit rolled up 404 total yards and Green Bay had a particularly difficult time covering Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was targeted 10 times and finished with eight catches for 109 yards and a score. One important note: The defense was far from full strength, with the biggest absence being inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell.
Special teams: C-
Linebacker Tipa Galeai didn’t bite for a fake punt in the first quarter and was in position to make a play. Mason Crosby missed an extra point but converted his only field goal attempt from 36 yards. Rookie Amari Rodgers had a good punt return early in the second half but his decision to bring the final kickoff of the game out of the end zone cost the Packers three yards and, more importantly, seven seconds.
Coaching: B
Packers coach Matt LaFleur was in a tough spot. While Lions coach Dan Campbell pulled out all the stops, LaFleur really had nothing to gain from this game and did a good job of giving key players the appropriate amount of rest. Giving Rodgers and Davante Adams a half of work was smart.
Overall: C
While a 14th win of the season would have been nice, the most important thing for the Packers was that their Super Bowl hopes didn’t get derailed with an injury to Rodgers, Adams or nose tackle Kenny Clark. Mission accomplished in that regard, plus LaFleur limited the amount of rust that could have built up if he rested his key players heading into a bye week.
Photos: Green Bay Packers fall to Detroit Lions in regular-season finale
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks downfield during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), defended by Green Bay Packers free safety Darnell Savage (26) catches a 2-yard pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown reacts after a 2-yard reception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett talks to his team during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds is tackled by Green Bay Packers linebacker Tipa Galeai (40) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers running back Patrick Taylor (27) is tackled during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon (28) rushes by Detroit Lions inside linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) hands off during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams is tackled by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Krys Barnes, center, and outside linebacker Preston Smith, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon (28) is tackled by Detroit Lions nose tackle Alim McNeill (54) in the first half during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) hands off to running back Jamaal Williams (30) in the first half against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur on the sideline in the first half first down during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu (26) breaks up a pass to Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) in the first half during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard (13) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift stiff arms Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard reacts after catching a 29-yard pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard is congratulated by quarterback Aaron Rodgers after a 29-yard pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) is congratulated by wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) after a 36-yard reception for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright spikes the ball after his 36-yard reception for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright, defended by Green Bay Packers defensive back Chandon Sullivan (39) falls into the end zone to score on a 36-yard reception during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is defended by Detroit Lions cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard catches a 29-yard pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is seen during pregame of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Juwann Winfree (88) fumbles the ball after a hit from Detroit Lions cornerback AJ Parker during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon (28) rushes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love looks downfield during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers tight end Dominique Dafney runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) successfully kicks as Green Bay Packers linebacker Tipa Galeai (40) and Juwann Winfree (88) apply pressure during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers running back Patrick Taylor (27) stiff arms Detroit Lions inside linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) in the second half during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Moore (38) celebrates an interception with teammates 2h against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams (30) rushes on Green Bay Packers linebacker Jonathan Garvin (53) in the second half during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams talks to Jaire Alexander during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers running back Patrick Taylor rushes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) rushes for a 14-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Detroit.
Jim Polzin | Wisconsin State Journal
Jim Polzin is a sports columnist for the Wisconsin State Journal.
