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SPORTS Monday 30 deceMber 2019
Packers barely beat Lions 23-20 to earn first-round bye

Continued from Page 18 it easy and we haven't al- in the second quarter. LB
ways made it pretty, but for Devon Kennard and TE
"Too many missed throws," the most part, we've found Isaac Nauta each left the
Rodgers acknowledged a way to win," Adams said. game with hamstring inju-
after throwing the most MOMENT FOR MARVIN ries. LT Rick Wagner (knee)
passes he has in 2019, tying There was a long moment was inactive.
the third-highest total of his of silence before the game UP NEXT
career. "I felt good about for receiver Marvin Jones' Packers: Playing in the
the throws. That's the crazy 6-month old son, who re- postseason for the first time
thing. We were just a little cently died. Jones, who since 2016, Green Bay will
bit off at times. was on the sideline with his have at least a bye before
"When we had to make a family during the national hosting a game. "It gives us
play, we made the play." anthem, went on injured a great chance to do a lot
Detroit did not, following a reserve earlier this month. of self-scout," LaFleur said.
season-long trend. INJURIES "It gives our guys a chance
The Lions (3-12-1) closed Packers: RB Jamaal Wil- to heal up. That was an ex-
with nine straight losses for Green Bay Packers surround kicker Mason Crosby (2) after his liams (shoulder) and FB Dan hausting game and we lost
winning field goal during the second half of an NFL football
their longest losing streak in game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Detroit. Vitale (knee) were inactive. a couple guys."
a season since going 0-16 Associated Press C Corey Linsley (back), RT Lions: The franchise decid-
in 2008. "This game was in Bryan Bulaga (concussion) ed earlier this month gen-
some ways a microcosm 20-all tie after linebacker finished with 100 yards rush- and LB B.J. Goodson (neck) eral manager Bob Quinn
of our season," guard Gra- Blake Martinez had a sack ing on 25 carries and had were hurt during the game. and Patricia will get an-
ham Glasgow said. "We and interception on con- 43 yards receiving. Adams Lions: WR Kenny Golladay other season to lead the
started out well and we secutive snaps. had seven receptions for didn't return after being team, answering what was
were running the ball, but Jones, who overcame hav- 93 yards and a score. evaluated for a concussion the biggest question for the
when it came to the sec- ing his hand stepped on, "We haven't always made following a 42-yard catch offseason.q
ond half and finishing the
game, we didn't pull it out."
David Blough was 12 of 29
for 122 yards with an inter-
ception — and a 19-yard
touchdown reception —
filling in for Matthew Staf-
ford, who had a season-
ending back injury.
Despite playing only for
pride, the Lions looked as if
they were more motivated
to win early in the game
against a team with a lot
at stake.
"We definitely started flat
in every phase," Packers
coach Matt LaFleur ac-
knowledged.
And with nothing to lose,
Detroit scored on a trick
play midway through the
first quarter. Blough hand-
ed off to receiver Danny
Amendola, who threw
back across the field to
the rookie quarterback
for a TD. Kerryon Johnson
converted a fourth down
with a 1-yard TD run late in
the first half, giving Detroit
a 14-0 that stunned every-
one not on their sideline.
Crosby and Matt Prater
made field goals over the
last 20 seconds of the first
half, leaving the Lions with
a 17-3 lead.
Rodgers started to make
more accurate passes in
the second half, such as
20-yard TD pass to Davante
Adams and a 28-yard pass
to Allen Lazard with 5:19
left for another score.
The Packers pulled into a