Early celebration: Fourth-year right tackle Penei Sewell is worth every penny of the contract extension he signed this offseason. I think he’s the best tackle in football. It seems every week he makes multiple key blocks that end up opening lanes for huge plays for Detroit’s offense.
It was his block that completely took out the left side of Green Bay’s defensive line on Jahmyr Gibbs’ 15-yard touchdown run. Sewell made the block and knew he opened the lane so big he was celebrating the touchdown before Gibbs even got to the end zone. It’s worth a look back at the highlight.
MVP talk: If quarterback Jared Goff continues to play at the level he is and the Lions continue to win games like they are (six straight), Goff will be a favorite to win the MVP. Goff has an 82.8 completion percentage (106-for-128) in his past six games, surpassing Peyton Manning (78.3) in 2008 for the highest completion percentage (minimum 100 attempts) in a six-game span within a season in NFL history.
Lions at Packers: Full highlights
Pass rush: The Lions have reportedly looked into adding some help to their pass rush before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. trade deadline. Detroit’s defense made a bunch of game-winning plays Sunday, but they didn’t record a sack of Jordan Love in the contest and only hit him twice. Detroit could use some pass-rushing reinforcements.
Teaching moment: While you can debate if safety Brian Branch deserved to be ejected from Sunday’s game for his hit on Packers wide receiver Bo Melton, it was certainly a penalty. Branch is now on the NFL’s radar and he’s going to have to adjust his play accordingly. The NFL is taking the helmet out of the game and Branch has to change the way he attacks ball carriers without losing his aggression. No easy task, but he’s a smart football player and will figure it out.
Thorn in Packers’ side: That’s what safety Kerby Joseph has become. He recorded his 14th career interception Sunday, and only Hall of Famer Ed Reed had more from the safety position in his first three seasons. Four of those have come against the Packers as he’s helped the Lions win three straight on the road at Lambeau Field for the first time since the mid-80s.
Best connection in football: It’s pretty wild to think the last 30 times Goff has targeted wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown the two have connected for receptions. Goff said St. Brown is the friendliest target he’s ever thrown to. Those two have built such a rapport and it will be fun to see where they end up in terms of QB-WR connections when it’s all said and done. Both are under contract for at least four more years after this season.
Campbell on win over the Packers
Defensive effort: Without arguably their two best players, Detroit’s defense came up with some really big plays Sunday. Sure, they allowed 411 yards of offense, but the Packers were 1-for-4 in the red zone, 3-for-12 on third down, and Joseph’s pick-six at the end of the half completely changed the complexion of that game. Another complete team win for the Lions Sunday.
