Burning questions in the Detroit Lions 42-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field Sunday:
It was a bright start for the Lions when they scored on the first two possessions to take a 14-3 lead, but it went downhill in a hurry to make the Lions' won-loss record 0-2 with their 11th straight loss and with a lot of questions that need answering about the future.
Question: Bottom line: What was it?
Answer: It wasn't any single statistic or individual performance, or even the 31 straight points the Packers scored to wipe out a 14-3 deficit and take command of the game.
It was the total domination by the Packers. It was one-sided, and the Lions didn't really fight back with any authority once the Packers got on their roll.
The Packers played better, and they played smarter.
Bottom line: They outclassed the Lions, and that should be hard to swallow.
View photos from Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers Week 2 game at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Green Bay.
NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) before a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions huddle before a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions linebacker Jason Cabinda (45) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater (5) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back Adrian Peterson (28) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) celebrates after scoring a touchdown. during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions safety Will Harris (25) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions linebacker Christian Jones (52) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back Adrian Peterson (28) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (30) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) celebrate during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions cornerback Dee Virgin (36) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (93) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) sacks Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara (95) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Hall (17) scores a touchdown during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87) during a NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Q. Turning point: What was it?
A. There really wasn't a turning point, but there was a deciding point. It was the 75-yard touchdown run by Aaron Jones on the first play of the second half. That stretched the Packers' lead from 17-14 to 24-14.
The Lions were still in the game after the Packers scored a touchdown with 14 seconds left in the first half to take a 17-14 lead. They needed to make a defensive stand to start the second half, but they did just the opposite.
Q. The Aarons: Which one hurt the Lions more – Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, or Aaron Jones, the running back?
A. They both hurt the Lions – but not as much as the Lions hurt themselves with breakdowns on both sides of the ball and penalties.
Rogers was methodically efficient – 18 for 30, 240 yards and two TDs. Jones was spectacular – 168 yards rushing and two TDs, 68 yards receiving and one TD.
But as well as they played, the most damage to the Lions was done to themselves with their performance.
