GREEN BAY – Last week, veteran Packers DL Kenny Clark was named the team's nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which is given for a combination of on- and off-field excellence.
Thursday night in Detroit, Clark put the on-field part on display. His veteran presence gave the Packers' defense a number of chances on which it failed to cash in.
Here's the rundown.
Play No. 1: First-and-10 from the Detroit 21, first quarter, 2:34 left
Result: No gain for RB Jahmyr Gibbs
Clark makes a great surge off the ball here against C Frank Ragnow (77), then shows his athleticism in pursuit of the speedy Gibbs to take him down at the line of scrimmage.
Play No. 2: Third-and-10 from the Green Bay 25, second quarter, 13:09 left
Result: Incomplete pass
On the pass rush this time, Clark gets a really strong push up the middle on Ragnow, almost putting the center in the lap of QB Jared Goff. DL Devonte Wyatt (95) eventually gets the QB hit from running a stunt with LB Quay Walker (7), but Clark's interior push helps make this a difficult throw, forcing the Lions to kick a field goal.
Play No. 3: Third-and-goal from the Green Bay 1, second quarter, 1:00 left
Result: 1-yard loss by RB David Montgomery
Just an impressive individual effort here by Clark, who gets leverage on Ragnow, splitting the gap between him and RG Kevin Zeitler (71), and is able to get his arms around Montgomery for the TFL that puts the Lions in fourth-and-goal in the final seconds of the first half. Unfortunately, the Packers aren't able to get a potentially pivotal stop.
Play No. 4: Third-and-8 from the Detroit 42, third quarter, 9:40 left
Result: 7-yard completion to WR Jameson Williams
On one of Detroit's endless screen passes in this game, Clark's backside pursuit really stands out. The Lions have everybody blocked for Williams on this play, except Clark, who drills him one yard shy of the first down and is deservedly fired up about the big hit. But again, the Packers are unable to get the fourth-down stop.
Play No. 5: Second-and-4 from the Green Bay 46, fourth quarter, 13:15 left
Result: 2-yard run by Montgomery
Just a straight-up one-on-one win here by Clark against LG Graham Glasgow (60), as Clark's forceful punch with the right hand to Glasgow's left shoulder provides both knock-back and separation to wrap up Montgomery two yards shy of the first down. Alas, the Lions once again convert on the next snap.
Play No. 6: Second-and-goal from the Green Bay 3, fourth quarter, 9:27 left
Result: 2-yard run by Montgomery
Once again on the goal line, the effort by Clark is outstanding. First, he absorbs a double-team from Zeitler and RT Penei Sewell (58) that knocks him down to one knee, but he recovers to get off the block from Sewell and get in on the tackle of Montgomery at the 1. But the Packers give up a TD pass on the next play.
Play No. 7: First-and-20 from the Green Bay 40, fourth quarter, 1:48 left
Result: 3-yard run by Montgomery
Final drive of the game, right after a holding penalty on Detroit, and this time the double-team on Clark comes from Glasgow and RT Dan Skipper (70). Undaunted, Clark fights it off to help stand up Montgomery after a short pickup that keeps the Lions in a long down-and-distance situation. To, unfortunately, no avail.
Play No. 8: Third-and-7 from the Green Bay 37, fourth quarter, 2:01 left
Result: 7-yard completion to Gibbs
Back up a few plays on that final drive, and if there's one snap of the 52 Clark played in the game he'd like back, this is it. Similar to Play No. 4 above, he's pursuing a screen, and he does it well. But the shifty Gibbs puts a nifty move on him in the open field, so instead of Clark tackling him a couple yards short to set up yet another fourth down, Gibbs converts. So close, on a tough play for a 300-pound lineman in space against a speedy back, and Clark's disappointment is evident as he sits on the turf.
