GREEN BAY – Longtime aficionados of WYMM know that goal-line stands are a favorite for this segment.
Even though the close call on fourth down went against the Packers and the Lions were awarded a touchdown, Green Bay's goal-line stand is still worth a closer look.
A number of different defenders had a hand in the stout work up front, and how difficult the Packers made it for the Lions on that series set a tone for how tough it would be to score on Green Bay the rest of the night.
Here's the review.
Play No. 1: First-and-goal from the Green Bay 3, first quarter, 8:31 left
Result: Run for no gain by RB Kerryon Johnson
DL Dean Lowry (94) makes the first play for the Packers. His shed of the block by LT Taylor Decker (68) and subsequent tackle at the line of scrimmage are textbook. You can't do it any better. Throw in two small assists to DL Kenny Clark (97), who holds the point against LG Joe Dahl (66), and to LB Preston Smith (91), who gets blocked by pulling RG Graham Glasgow (60) but maintains proper leverage to set the edge, not allowing Johnson to bounce outside and sending him right into Lowry.
Play No. 2: Second-and-goal from the Green Bay 3, first quarter, 8:06 left
Result: 2-yard completion to TE T.J. Hockenson
This one's all Kyler Fackrell (51), who's lined up in a two-point stance at left outside LB. Watch how Fackrell turns his head to the left as Hockenson (88) starts to come in motion from the high side. In a flash, Fackrell anticipates exactly what the Lions are going to do, and he gets to Hockenson well before RT Rick Wagner (71) has a chance to block him.
Play No. 3: Third-and-goal from the Green Bay 1, first quarter, 7:20 left
Result: No gain for Johnson
Great work in tandem by LB Preston Smith (91) and LB Blake Martinez (50) here. Both successfully avoid the rather feeble block attempt by TE Jesse James (83), with Smith quickly shedding him to get at the leaping Johnson's legs, and Martinez actually knocking James into the backfield as he also submarines the airborne running back. As the pile develops, look closely how Smith keeps a firm grip with both hands on Johnson's ankle, preventing him from regenerating any momentum for a second effort after he lands. Smith is still hanging on long after the play is blown dead.
Play No. 4: Fourth-and-goal from the Green Bay 1, first quarter, 6:41 left
Result: 1-yard TD run by Johnson
Three guys involved this time on another stout play, even though the call goes Detroit's way after the officials disagree on the field. First, DL Montravius Adams (90) effectively wedges himself between Glasgow and Wagner. Next, Martinez is the one going airborne this time to beat the block of FB Nick Bawden (46), and finally, LB B.J. Goodson (93) crashes in from the right to stand up Johnson on the goal line.
