GAME RECAP:  Green Bay Packers 27 Detroit Lions 20

SCOREBOARD	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	FINAL
PACKERS	0	10	7	10	27
LIONS	7	7	3	3	20

SCORING SUMMARY:

First Quarter  DET - Matthew Stafford runs for 4 yards (Jason Hanson kick is good) @ 7:16. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards in 7:44. Second Quarter  DET - Tony Scheffler catches a 3 yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Jason Hanson kick is good) @ 12:47. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards in 5:48.  GNB - Mason Crosby makes a 49 yard kick @ 10:52. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards in 1:55.  GNB - Mike Daniels makes a 43 yard fumble return (Mason Crosby kick is good) @ 6:15. Third Quarter  GNB - Aaron Rodgers runs for 27 yards (Mason Crosby kick is good) @ 11:54. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards in 3:06.  DET - Jason Hanson makes a 46 yard kick @ 8:57. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards in 2:57. Fourth Quarter  GNB - DuJuan Harris runs for 14 yards (Mason Crosby kick is good) @ 10:45. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards in 4:04.  GNB - Mason Crosby makes a 41 yard kick @ 4:02. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards in 3:09.  DET - Jason Hanson makes a 34 yard kick @ 0:07. Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards in 1:52.

NFL.com Game Links:    Game Center    Game Info    Drive Chart    Highlights

DETROIT LIONS GAME BALLS:

Calvin Johnson	Nick Fairley	Kris Durham
Ten catches for 118 yards as the pursuit of Rice continues	Four tackles with a sack and forced fumble in Green Bay	Stafford's former Georgia roommate makes an impact

TEAM STATISTICS	LIONS	PACKERS
1st Downs	27	15
Rushing	7	8
Passing	17	6
Penalty	3	1
3rd-Down Conversions	11-17	5-11
4th-Down Conversions	1-2	0-0
Punts-Average	2-35.0	3-44.3
Return Yards	81	133
Punts-Returns	0-0	1-13
Kickoffs-Returns	4-81	4-88
Int.-Returns	0-0	1-32
Penalties-Yards	5-55	7-50
Fumbles-Lost	1-1	2-1
Time Of Pos.	37:14	22:46
">Total Net Yards	386	288
Total Plays	78	52
Average Gain	4.9	5.5
Net Yards Rushing	135	140
Rushes	32	25
Avg. Per Rush	4.2	5.6
Net Yards Passing	251	148
Comp.-Att.	27-45	14-24
Yards Per Pass	5.5	5.5
Sacked-Yards Lost	1-13	3-25
Had Intercepted	1	0
Touchdowns	2	3
Rushing	1	2
Passing	1	0
Other	0	1
Extra Points	2-2	3-3
Kicking	2-2	3-3
Field Goals	2-3	2-3
Red Zone Efficiency	2-3-66%	1-2-50%
Goal To Go Efficiency	1-1-100%	0-0-0%
Safeties	0	0

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATS:

Passing

Rushing

GAME SUMMARY:

Detroit lost their fifth straight game in a place where they haven't won for over two decades. The Lions jumped out in front of the Packers 14-0 as they dominated the first half before Green Bay rallied for a 27-20 win to stay atop the NFC North. The Lions can only look up at their rivals as they clinched a losing season with their ninth loss of the season. It was the third straight game Detroit blew a double digit lead. The Packers only ran 16 plays in the first half and Aaron Rodgers was held without a touchdown pass. But they still found ways to win the game. Calvin Johnson had ten catches for 118 yards as he continues to be the lone bright spot in a disappointing season. It was cold and snowy in Wisconsin which may have played a role as Stafford had a pass slip out of his hands and get returned by a defensive lineman for a score, those seven points turned out to be difference on the scoreboard.

Detroit would get off to a strong start after getting the ball first. Matt Stafford would take the Lions 80-yards on 12 plays before cruising in around the left hand side from four yards out on a fourth-and-one. The Packers would put together a nice drive of their own going all the way to the Lions 12 before Lawrence Jackson surprised him from behind stripping the ball that would be recovered by Tulloch. The Lions would again go on a long drive, this time 79-yards on 11 plays before Stafford would connect with tight end Tony Scheffler from three yards out to put the Lions up 14-0. Now in the second quarter the Packers would get on the board with a 49-yard field goal from Crosby. On the Lions next drive Stafford would fumble the ball attempting a pass and fail to recover the ball, Green Bay's Daniels would get and early Christmas gift and run it in from 43-yards out. Stafford would turn it over again on an interception as what looked like a dominating half suddenly tightened up. Detroit would own the stats board, but not the scoreboard up just 14-10 at halftime.

As much as the Lions controlled the first half, it would take only one drive for the Packers to take control of the game. On a third down, Rodgers would avoid a sack and step up to scramble for 27 yards to give Green Bay their first lead with about three minutes gone in the second half. The Lions would not regain the lead. They would tie the game again as Hanson would connect from 46 yards after a 45 yard drive. That is how the game would end after three quarters as both kickers would miss on 51-yard attempts in the cold gusty winds. Detroit would add a Jason Hanson field goal with seven second left, but it was too little to late as the home team had already put ten points up in the quarter. A onside's kick spun harmlessly out of bounds to seal the Lions fate.

It was another game the Lions certainly could have put in the win column after the controlled the ball for more than 37 minutes. Detroit had 12 more first downs and 98 more yards, but would still come up short. Much like the entire 2012 season!

PHOTO OF THE GAME:

Kris Durham uses all of his 6'6" frame to haul in the one-handed catch.

NEXT GAME:

The Detroit Lions travel to Arizona next Sunday, December 16, to face the Cardinals at 4:05 PM.

DISCUSS THE GAME:  In the Jungle - Hard Hitting Lionbacker Forum.

Written by: Paul Donaghy, Senior Writer