Mike Mulholland

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Check out the full game gallery from the Lions' 31-23 win over the Packers.

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DETROIT -- It wasn't easy, because the Packers rarely are. It wasn't pretty, because the Lions rarely are.

But it's a win all the same, and Detroit has kept its season alive with a weird 31-23 victory on Sunday against mistake-riddled Green Bay at Ford Field.

Why was it weird? Try this on for size: The Lions were outgained 200-160 in the first half, and were being outgained by more than 100 yards at one point in the third quarter -- while building a 24-0 lead.

How about this: Green Bay didn't punt in the first half, while scoring no points.

Or this: Mason Crosby missed four field goals and an extra point. Kind of a big deal in an eight-point loss.

Detroit didn't always play great, with its offensive line committing a pair of penalties that scrubbed long gains -- one a touchdown by Kenny Golladay. It lost Kerryon Johnson, Jamal Agnew and Darius Slay (who later returned) to injuries. Its defense struggled to get off the field, allowing 30 first downs and 521 yards, both roughly double what Detroit's offense managed.

But give the Lions credit, because they jumped all over those miscues, including outstanding field position because of the missed field goals and a muffed punt. They also stripped Aaron Rodgers twice, one of which led directly to a touchdown at the end of the first half.

That gave the Lions a 24-point cushion, 17 of which was accrued via turnovers, heading into a second half where Green Bay played much better and made things interesting. But it wasn't enough, as Marvin Jones covered the ball on an onside kick with 1 second left to seal the victory.

The Lions improve to 2-3 heading into the bye, just a half-game behind the Packers (2-2-1). Minnesota plays later Sunday, and first-place Chicago is off until next week.

Detroit hasn't been great, but they ain't out of it yet either. Here are some observations:

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Mike Mulholland

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Detroit has Green Bay's number

As strange as it is to say, the Lions have really owned Green Bay lately. They've now won three in a row in the series, something they hadn't done since 1990-91. They're 6-4 in their last 10 overall, and they're the longest Hail Mary TD in NFL history from being 7-3. Not bad for a team that had gone 1-15 in their previous 16 games against Green Bay.

In fact, Detroit is now 21-10 in NFC North play since 2013. That's No. 1 in the division, even though they haven't won the North -- ever. (Their last division title was in the old NFC Central in 1993.)

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Mike Mulholland

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Averting disaster without Ziggy

Losing Ezekiel Ansah the last five weeks could have been a disaster. And while the line hasn't exactly been stellar without him, it has held up better than expected because of the rise of Da'Shawn Hand. He was the best rookie interior defender in the first quarter of the season, according to ProFootballFocus, and eighth best against the pass (one spot behind Ndamukong Suh). And he was up to no good against the Packers, too, including stepping on Green Bay's throat late in the first half.

Hand caught Aaron Rodgers from behind, stripped him, then scrambled on top of the ball. And three plays later, Marvin Jones speared a touchdown pass to give Detroit a 24-0 lead heading into the break. Not bad for a fourth-round pick, eh?

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Mike Mulholland

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Defense continues to impress

Let's stick with the defense, shall we? I mean, those guys were, as the kids say these days, hella good. Especially Devon Kennard, who was the first big free-agent signing of the Matt Patricia era, and you can see exactly why they targeted him. With another sack against Green Bay, he now has 5.0 for the season. Entering the weekend, he trailed only Khalil Mack (5.0 sacks) among all linebackers. Yeah, pretty good. For all the laments about Detroit not upgrading the defensive line last offseason, they're still generating pressure, and a lot of it is coming from No. 42, who is earning that big paycheck.

Romeo Okwara, a defensive end who is filling in for Ansah, added two sacks and a strip-sack of Rodgers.

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Mike Mulholland

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Crosby may want to catch an Uber home

The Lions have struggled on special teams all year, but on Sunday it was the Packers who stumbled. Mason Crosby missed four field goals and an extra point. That's 13 points in an eight-point loss. He'll be lucky if Aaron Rodgers lets him on the plane home.

Of course, the Packers also muffed a punt that gave Detroit possession at the 1, leading to a touchdown, and had a long kickoff return nullified by penalty. In the immortal words of Kevin McAllister, woof.

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Mike Mulholland

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All aboard the Golladay train

The Kenny Golladay hype train has left the station. This guy flashed serious upside last year, when he led the league's rookies in 40-yard catches (while missing five games because of injury). And he's been even better in Year 2. Against Green Bay, he showed why. He outjumped Josh Jackson for a 50-50 ball, then stiff-armed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix into the ground like he had said something uncouth. Golladay went 60 yards on the play, setting up a touchdown, and then added another of his own in the second half. He finished with a team-high 98 yards yards on four catches, and that's not including a long touchdown that was called back because of a Frank Ragnow penalty.

Simply put: Kenny Golladay has been Detroit's best downfield receiver this season. And that's saying something when you've got Golden Tate and Marvin Jones on your team. Tate has been more productive overall, but Golladay's size and strength has made him the preferred downfield target -- and Marvin Jones is a pretty, pretty good downfield target.

Fun fact: Golladay, Jones and Tate all had at least 50 yards receiving in the first four weeks of the season. They were the only trio to do that. In fact, going back to last year, they did it five straight times, an NFL record. That run ended against Green Bay, though, with Tate held to 42 yards, and Jones 8.

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Mike Mulholland

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So that's what a run game looks like

The Lions were last in the league in rushing by pretty much every measure last year, but it was their travails in short yardage that seemed to really irk Bob Quinn. He said as much after the season, saying he was frustrated by the club's inability to pick up a half-yard when it needed to. So he went out and landed LeGarrette Blount in free agency.

Now Kerryon Johnson is obviously Detroit's No. 1 back, and earned a second straight start Sunday. But Blount is the power guy, and those investments -- including up front -- paid off handsomely against the Packers. Blount scored twice at the goal line to give Detroit an early 14-0 in the first quarter. He also picked up a couple third-and-shorts, including a critical one that kept the chains moving at the start of the fourth quarter. That led to another Golladay touchdown and 31-14 lead.

So this is what a real-life running game looks like?

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Mike Mulholland

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Kerryon banged up

After much was made of Kerryon Johnson's playing time, Matt Patricia said he was more focused with keeping his rookie sensation healthy for a full season. This game offered a scary look into the coach's concern. He played well, gaining 70 yards on 12 carries, but also left the game in the fourth quarter with a lower right leg injury. He did not return.

Jamal Agnew also left the game with a leg injury in the fourth quarter, and was carted to the locker room. Darius Slay left the game in the same sequence, but later returned.

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Mike Mulholland

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Third quarter blues continue

It wasn't all sunshine and unicorns. Detroit entered this one allowing 14.8 points per game in the third quarter, worst in the league. And then they allowed 14 points, and scored none, during another disastrous third quarter. That squeezed their lead to 24-14 heading into the fourth.

The offensive line, while holding up well in protection, also had some more untimely penalties. Frank Ragnow wiped out a long touchdown to Golladay, then Rick Wagner wiped out a long completion to Marvin Jones at the 13-yard line. That's 85 yards and (possibly) two scores nullified by penalties. That's the sort of thing that will cost you games.

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Mike Mulholland

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Welcome back Ameer

Ameer Abdullah dressed for the first time this season and started at kick returner. And he promptly returned his first attempt 30 yards, better than all but one of Jamal Agnew's attempts this year.

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Mike Mulholland

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Growing pains for Teez

Teez Tabor got his most extensive defensive action since getting benched in that Week 2 loss against San Francisco. And this one went only marginally better. Aaron Rodgers really picked on him early, and Tabor made more mistakes, drawing a pass interference on the first pass of the day, allowing a 17-yard catch on second-and-16 and then nearly getting beat for a TD by Equanimeous St. Brown.

Good thing Mason Crosby spontaneously combusted on Sunday, because otherwise we're talking about Tabor's play a lot differently.

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Mike Mulholland

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Team record for the offense

The Lions scored at least 17 points for the 14th straight game, matching a team record that had stood since 1995. Since 2017, only the Patriots and Saints have more 17-point games than Detroit. I know the inconsistency can be vexing, especially in the red zone, but overall this offense continues to be one of the more prolific units in the league. Just imagine the possibilities if they ever did sort out their issues in the red area.

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