DETROIT – For all the postgame discussion about questionable officiating and how so many back-breaking calls seem to go against the Packers, that's not why they lost Sunday.
They lost because, on four trips into the red zone, they came away with just seven points. That's why Green Bay left Ford Field on the wrong end of a 20-17 score.
Four trips, seven points. Even 17 points would've been considered less-than-efficient red-zone production, but it would've been enough to win this one.
Let's outline the three blown chances in close:
- A missed chip shot field goal on the opening drive, when second-and-goal from the 3 was not cashed in, and a delay of game penalty turned a 21-yard kick into a 26-yarder that rookie Trey Smack pushed wide right.
- An ill-advised decision, which Head Coach Matt LaFleur immediately regretted, to go for it on fourth-and-4 from the Detroit 7 in the second quarter, when a field goal would've tied the game at 10.
- And a wasted opportunity on what turned out to be the Packers' final possession, taking over on the Detroit 22-yard line after a defensive fourth-down stop, getting to third-and-5 from the 17, not converting, and then having Smack's 35-yard kick tipped by DJ Wonnum, though it was probably headed wide right again anyway.
"You gotta finish plays," LaFleur said. "Certainly some play calls I wish we had back, but then we've got to finish some plays."
So for all the angst and consternation over roughing the passer and personal fouls and everything else, sure, the Packers didn't get any help from the officiating. But they didn't help themselves either.
"We left a lot of points out there that we didn't finish in the red zone, didn't finish with the kicks," QB Jordan Love said. "It's disappointing … we did a decent job moving the ball … should've scored more."
LaFleur stressed the biggest downfall in the red zone is the Packers' inability to run the ball, which puts them in tougher situations and/or allows the defense to focus just on the pass.
Josh Jacobs' return from the commissioner's exempt list didn't do much for the ground game. He churned out 36 yards on 11 carries, but it was clear early on the game was in Love's hands.
Jacobs did help with a nifty sideline tip-toeing 25-yard catch and run for a touchdown, but then he couldn't come up with Love's third-down pass from the 17 on that last drive when he had a shot to catch it.
"When you look at it, it was a great play call," Love said of the throw to Jacobs in open space against single coverage from a linebacker. "I liked the matchup. He ran a great route. We've got to find a way to make that play."
That's what held the Packers back in this one, not being able to make the plays in close, despite converting three straight times on fourth down in the first half before the regrettable decision inside the 10 didn't work.
"It comes down to finding ways to score points," Love said. "We have to have a run game to be able to do that, and it comes down to throwing and catching. We didn't do a good enough job today."
It's too bad, because the defense benefited from some sloppiness by the Lions to hold Detroit's high-powered attack to 17 points until the final seconds. This game was there for the taking, if the Packers had just taken it.
Tough loss aside, there's still a lot to like about where the Packers are headed.
Their three-game winning streak was snapped, but the offense should keep trending up with the return of Jacobs, and it was a huge plus that John Williams ably filled in at center in a pinch. The defense hung tough for the second straight week against an opponent accustomed to scoring a lot more.
But four trips into the red zone have to produce more than seven points for any of the positives to matter. And to keep so much discussion from focusing on the officiating, about which nobody in green and gold can do anything.
They can do something about their scoring chances, and becoming a more balanced attack, so that's where the focus must lie.
"On offense, we've made some strides," Love said. "There's a lot of plays out there we can be dominant.
"We're definitely leaning on the pass right now … and there's still more out there for us."
