DETROIT -- A look at Detroit Lions players who were “up” and those who were down in Thursday’s 27-23 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
UP:
RB Ameer Abdullah: He had his best game of the season, gaining 67 yards on 13 carries. He didn’t score and he didn’t break a massive kick return, but it was a strong, productive game from the rookie who had his struggles in the first half of the season. He has clearly become Detroit’s lead back.
QB Matthew Stafford: The quarterback did what he had to do to win Thursday. He completed 23 of 35 passes for 220 yards and two first-quarter touchdowns. He also threaded a perfect ball on a key play to TJ Jones on a late drive and completed a fourth-down pass to Golden Tate to extend another drive in the second half. Another smart game from Stafford, who has flourished under Jim Bob Cooter.
S Isa Abdul-Quddus: He replaced James Ihedigbo in the starting lineup a month ago and had one of his better games Thursday. He had 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, a pass defended and a forced fumble. He seemed to be all over the field against Green Bay.
DOWN:
The Lions: This was a devastating loss -- even by Lions standards. To lose a game on an extra, untimed play -- and on a Hail Mary thrown almost 70 yards in the air -- is almost unexplainable. The Lions did what they needed to do for 60 minutes to win. Then, with no time left, they fell apart almost completely on a low-percentage play. This killed all their momentum and their playoff hopes.
DE Devin Taylor: It’s rough for him to be listed here, because prior to the face-mask call he had one of the better games of his career, sacking Aaron Rodgers twice. But in a situation like that, when Rodgers couldn’t pass and was 76 yards from the end zone, just push him down -- don’t even make it close. But the penalty was called on him, and it’s a rough way to lose a game.
RT LaAdrian Waddle: He came in when Michael Ola left with a knee injury and it didn’t go well for him. He had a false-start penalty on Detroit’s final drive and a holding penalty on the Lions’ second-to-last drive. That’s two penalties on three drives. It has not been a good season -- or a good game -- for Waddle.