Week 1 Game Recap: Green Bay Packers 3, Detroit Lions 17

What you need to know

Green Bay Packers

First and foremost, WR Javon Walker has apparently torn is ACL and is gone for the year. This is the biggest fantasy story from this game so I bring special attention to the issue. Hopefully you received Footballguys.com’s email regarding the situation as it arose Sunday, but at the very least if you own Javon Walker (or wish to trade with Walker’s owner in your league) make plans right away. Once again here is the story: http://www.jsonline.com/packer/rev/sep05/355026.asp

The Packers’ offense was not much healthier than their star WR. Green Bay struggled to get first downs, let alone score points. The Packers had six drives of three plays or fewer (omitting a kneel down before halftime). Green Bay was kept out of the end zone for the first regular season in nearly five seasons (78 games), and this lackluster performance was the worst scoring output since Favre became the starter in 1992.

Ahman Green carried just 12 times for 58 yards. The ineffectiveness of the Packers’ running game and the rush to catch back up in the second half limited the run game and made Green Bay quite one-dimensional. All but 13 of Green’s yards came in the first half.

QB Brett Favre spearheaded the passing game, connecting 27 of 44 times for just over 200 yards (201). Favre did all he could to keep his team in the game, but the Packers' offense stalled with the entire Detroit defense looking for a pass virtually every play of the second half.

Both RB Green and WR Robert Ferguson were cramping up in the second half.

Detroit Lions

Despite all the touches, Jones never was able to break a long run, finishing with a seven yard rush as his longest run.

QB Joey Harrington led his new array of offensive weapons into Week 1 knowing that the starting QB role was his. The loss of backup QB Jeff Garcia for 4-6 weeks left Harrington as the unquestionable huddle leader. Harrington played with a relaxed demeanor, opening up the game with completions on five of six first quarter passes. Harrington led the Lions to their first touchdown on the second drive, a pass to TE Marcus Pollard. Harrington finished with modest numbers, going 15 of 28 for just 167 yards, but he did produce both touchdowns through the air.

TE Pollard was targeted often by Harrington throughout the game. Pollard snagged five of the seven balls that came to him, including a score. Pollard was targeted twice in the end zone. Harrington favored his new TE as a safety valve across the middle, especially in scoring territory.

WR Roy Williams received the most targets of any Detroit receiver, getting 10 targets in the contest. Williams’ opportunities were far fewer than ten, as many of the passes were uncatchable. Williams was also given the opportunity to score on an “Alley Oop” pass in the red zone, but the pass was well defended by Green Bay.

RB Kevin Jones was productive but not spectacular. Jones had 25 carries, but finished with just 87 yards. Jones often pounded the middle, gaining as many yards between the tackles as were available. Despite all the touches, Jones never was able to break a long run, finishing with a seven yard rush as his longest run.

Jason Hanson apparently hurt himself on a kickoff in the first half. Hanson grasped the back of his leg after making contact with the ball on the kickoff, and early speculation was a hamstring injury. Hanson battled through the injury, kicking on the sideline and taking extra practice kicks at halftime. Hanson converted two short kicks after the injury, converting an extra point and a very short 21 yard field goal.

The Lions’ defense kept Green Bay off the field, creating six “three and out” possessions for Green Bay in the second and third quarters. Entering the fourth quarter, the Lions pinned their ears back and came after QB Favre, which produced three second half turnovers.

Detroit kept an opponent without a touchdown for the first time since 2000 (New England).

What you ought to know

QB Brett Favre, Pass: 27 - 44 - 201 - 0 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 1 - -1 - 0

Favre attempted to get the Packer offense in gear, but he just could not connect for the long pass he kept trying to hit all afternoon. Favre used nine different receivers, spreading the ball around to everyone. The longest completion was on a RB screen to Ahman Green where he dashed for a 20 yard rush for a first down. In the third quarter, Favre appeared to throw an incompletion from the pocket as the ball squirted out of his hand, but the field officials ruled it as a fumble which Detroit recovered. The fumble led to three additional points for Detroit, making the score 10-3 at the time. With the clock running down and the lack of a running game, Favre tried to force the game towards a Packers’ victory. Favre pushed until the end of the contest, attempting many passes that are difficult at best to complete. The result was that the final two possessions for Favre resulted in his second and third turnovers, the only two interceptions in the game.

RB Ahman Green, Rush: 12 - 58 - 0, Rec: 5 - 34 - 0 (7 targets)

Green struggled to get any sense of rhythm running the ball throughout the game. Green tried both the inside and outside, but only finished with 58 yards on 12 carries. Much of the load came in the first half as Green had eight carries and 45 yards at halftime. Green contributed to the passing attack by catching many screens and flat routes. Green looked better in space, able to run, but Green was unable to gain more than ten yards on any given reception.

RB Tony Fisher, Rec: 4 - 24 - 0 (7 targets)

Fisher was the safety valve check down receiver for QB Brett Favre and was kept rather busy in the second half. Fisher caught a short six yard pass at the beginning of the second quarter, but Fisher’s six other targets all were after halftime. Fisher looked solid physically, but a few mental errors nearly cost Green Bay severely. Fisher dropped one of his targets, right off of his hands, and also fumbled after a short run and catch play in the third quarter. Fortunately for the Packers, the fumble skipped off of numerous players until it reached and rolled out of bounds.

RB Najeh Davenport, Rush: 3 - 0 - 0

Davenport remains the clear backup to Ahman Green, as he had the only running back carries outside of Green. However, Green Bay was trying to catch up for most of the second half, and Davenport’s three carries were his only touches in the game. All of Davenport’s carries came before halftime.

RB William Henderson, Rec: 3 - 20 - 0 (3 targets)

Henderson made the most of his three targets, catching them all for a total of 20 yards. Henderson grabbed passes of four, ten, and six yards in the third quarter, gaining two first downs for the Packers.

WR Javon Walker, Rec: 4 - 27 - 0 (7 targets)

Walker clearly came into this contest as the primary option for QB Brett Favre, getting seven chances in less than three quarters. Walker drew a pass interference call for an additional 12 yards in the first quarter. Walker also caught four short passes before catching a 55 yard deep ball in the third quarter that was nullified by offensive pass interference. Walker was tackled awkwardly and fell to the ground in a heap. Walker clutched his leg and was carted off of the field. Reports at this time have Walker out for the remainer of the season with a torn ACL.

WR Donald Driver, Rec: 4 - 48 - 0 (7 targets)

Driver now becomes the primary option in the Packer passing game due to the injury to WR Javon Walker. Driver had opportunities in all four quarters, and he caught all four passes that were catchable passes. Driver caught balls for nine, 17, ten and 12 yards respectively. Driver’s output was not spectacular, but as a possession receiver Driver showed his abilities. It remains to be seen if Driver can handle the increased responsibility of replacing Walker.

WR Antonio Chatman, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (4 targets)

Chatman was elevated in the WR group after the loss of WR Javon Walker for the game or longer. Chatman caught one pass for 11 yards and a first down in the final quarter. His other targets included one drop where he could have ran for a first down, and the others were either defended on uncatchable.

WR Robert Ferguson, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (3 targets)

Ferguson did not line up for a pass until the fourth quarter, as the entire WR corps of the Packers were all promoted due to the injury to WR Javon Walker. Ferguson finished the game with just one four yard catch in the fourth quarter.

TE Bubba Franks, Rec: 4 - 27 - 0 (7 targets)

Franks remains a favorite target of QB Brett Favre. Favre often will check down to Franks or look towards him in the red zone. Franks caught four balls for six to eight yards each, and also gained a pass interference call for six more yards and a fresh set of downs for his team.

PK Ryan Longwell 1 - 1 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 3 points

Longwell made his only official field goal attempt, a 50 yard try that sailed on a line to the uprights and through. Longwell’s long kicks are rather low and have a higher propensity for getting blocked than most other kickers with similar power. Longwell officially did not receive credit (good or bad) for a field goal attempt from close in, roughly 22 yards, that failed on a bad snap.

GB Rush Defense

The Packers kept RB Kevin Jones from breaking any long runs, and they also were able to hold him under a four yard average. The Lions were only able to get two first downs on the ground.

GB Pass Defense

Green Bay kept pressure upon QB Joey Harrington, allowing him to complete just over half of his passes. Most of the offense for Detroit, however, came via the pass, so while the defense was adequate, it was not good enough to stop Detroit when it mattered most.

QB Joey Harrington, Pass: 15 - 28 - 167 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - 14 - 0

Harrington came out of the chute with a strong start, hitting five of six passes in the first quarter. TE Marcus Pollard provided a large target across the middle for Harrington, and as a result Pollard was targeted on three of the six attempts. Pollard nearly scored on his second target, but the pass was batted away at the last moment. Harrington had six to eight attempts per quarter, just enough to have a balanced attack within the Lions’ offense. Harrington hit eight different receivers, and most were for short range passes to control the ball and clock and also to keep the Packers’ defense guessing as to what was coming next. Harrington spread his passes around evenly, aside from Pollard. All of the other receivers had just one or two catches.

RB Kevin Jones, Rush: 25 - 87 - 0, Rec: 2 - 9 - 0 (2 targets)

Jones carried the ball 25 times for 87 yards, a workman like effort. Jones protected the ball and kept the clock moving during the game, allowing Detroit to have a balanced offense throughout the game. Jones carried the ball at least five times every quarter, but was never able to break a big run. His longest run was for a meager seven yards, hardly illustrating breakaway speed. Jones also caught two passes, one for 14 yards in the first quarter and another for a five yard loss in the third. A solid but not spectacular effort.

RB Shawn Bryson, Rush: 3 - 1 - 0, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (2 targets)

Bryson served two main roles – one was as a third and long backfield specialist, and another as someone to relieve Kevin Jones when necessary. Bryson had three carries for minimal yardage, and his two targets resulted in a catch for seven yards and a penalty on a deflected pass.

RB Paul Smith, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (3 targets)

Smith was targeted once in the third quarter and twice in the fourth. Smith helped the Lions gain one yard with a pass interference call on his second target, and then Smith caught the final pass for eight yards and a first down.

WR Kevin Johnson, Rec: 2 - 38 - 0 (3 targets)

Johnson caught two passes on the afternoon, both for first downs. Johnson had a 25 yard grab in the first quarter then added a 13 yard catch in the second quarter. The third pass that came his way fell short and was uncatchable.

WR Roy Williams, Rec: 2 - 13 - 0 (10 targets)

Roy Williams officially had ten looks from QB Joey Harrington, but many of then were uncatchable. He caught the first pass thrown his way for 11 yards and a first down in the opening quarter. Roy Williams also caught another pass on fourth down and four in the second quarter but only gained two yards. Williams was targeted in the end zone once on an “Alley Oop” style pass, which was well defended by the Green Bay secondary. Williams was also wide open in the third quarter for 10-15 yards plus more yards after the catch, but Harrington missed him badly.

WR Mike Williams, Rec: 1 - 3 - 1 (2 targets)

Mike Williams did not get involved until the second quarter, as he was the intended recipient on pass in the second quarter that was overthrown by QB Harrington. The two players connected later in the fourth quarter for a three yard touchdown strike to finish the scoring for the game.

WR Charles Rogers, Rec: 1 - 31 - 0 (3 targets)

Rogers got just three looks, all on deep routes. Harrington tried to get Rogers the ball in the second and third quarter, but each time overthrew him. They finally connected in the fourth quarter on a nice deep ball for 31 yards and a first down.

TE Marcus Pollard, Rec: 5 - 58 - 1 (7 targets)

Pollard was a large and friendly target for QB Joey Harrison, catching five of the seven balls that came his way. Pollard caught two of three passes in the first quarter including a nine yard touchdown grab across the middle. The incompletion was also an end zone look from Harrington. Pollard caught three more intermediate routes in each following quarter, which added up to the most productive receiver for Detroit on opening day at 58 yards.

PK Jason Hanson 1 - 1 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 5 points

Hanson made his only field goal attempt, a 21 yarder in the third quarter, and added two extra points. Hanson strained his hamstring on the kickoff after the first touchdown, and tried to take it easy for the remainder of the day. Punter Nick Harris handled the kickoff duties but apparently was not comfortable kicking field goals or extra points.

DET Rush Defense

The Lions kept RB Ahman Green from establishing much of a running game, holding him to 45 yards in the first half. Once the Lions extended the lead in the second half, Green Bay focused almost solely on the passing game. The Lions only surrendered one first down on the ground to Green Bay.

DET Pass Defense

Detroit kept after QB Brett Favre, and they were able to disrupt his timing and get to him before he could establish any deep routes. Favre was forced into three turnovers, two interceptions and a fumble. Despite 44 pass attempts, Favre finished with just 201 passing yards. The Lions held long enough and created just enough turnovers to ensure the victory.