Lions Game Ball, Unsung Hero of Week 9: Give it up for Aaron Glenn

Handing out the game ball and unsung hero from the Lions Road win against the Packers.

Make that five wins in the last six contests for Dan Campbell, Jared Goff, and the Detroit Lions against the Green Bay Packers with their latest 24-14 victory. This also marks the first time the Lions have had a winning streak of at least six games since they won seven straight games to close out the 1995 regular season (after a 3-6 start).

The most impressive accomplishment was, particularly for Goff, to win in their first rain game since Week 10 of the 2021 season. Why there was a narrative that a team built on the strength of their toughness, with a strong offensive line and physical running back duo, couldn’t win in a slopfest beats me.

It was a gritty win that had several worthy candidates for game ball and unsung hero that encompassed the identity of the victory.

Game Balls – Aaron Glenn & Kerby Joseph

Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s unit showed up in the elements to help make it ugly enough for the Packers offense, and a hobbled Jordan Love, to allow for the Lions to control the game throughout.

While the defense still allowed 411 offensive yards, 20 first downs and had zero sacks, two quarterback hits, and only one tackle for loss, they still clamped down when it mattered most. Entering Week 9, the Packers offense was a Top 5-10 unit by most offensive metrics. The Lions defense forced the Packers into only 3-of-12 third down conversions and into only 14 points on a total of six trips into Lions territory. On Detroit’s side of the field, the Packers managed just two made field goals, one missed field goal, a punt, a turnover on downs, and finally a late fourth quarter touchdown when the game was mostly decided.

Glenn was able to guide his unit to this success despite the obvious long-term injuries, but also without Josh Paschal and Malcolm Rodriguez. They even has to adjust for Brian Branch’s absence following his hotly-debated second quarter ejection after only 24 plays. Not only did the Lions defense respond, holding the Packers to a missed field goal attempt on that drive, but they also had Kerby Joseph’s pick-six the very next drive. The depleted unit was ready for that sudden change situation.

The Lions defense generated a respectable -0.08 offensive EPA/play (13th in Week 9) and a -0.17 passing EPA/play (11th) which both ranked respectively as the third (offensive EPA/play) and second (passing EPA/play) best efforts against the Packers offense this entire season. Jordan Love’s average time to throw against the Lions was 3.15 seconds, which is the highest for the Packers offense this season and paints the picture of the outstanding performance from the Lions coverage unit given the lack of pass rush and slippery field conditions. The Lions run defense even bounced back in the second half, in conjunction with game script, and held Josh Jacobs to only six rushing yards on three carriers after rushing for 89 yards on 10carries in the first half.

The most telling stat for Glenn’s unit was that up until the the last few minutes of the fourth quarter, the Lions defense was outscoring the Packers offense 7-6.

Which brings us to our next game ball and Kerby Joseph.

As Joseph put it best in a post-game interview “Man, they done let Zuper in the end zone”

This Lions defense makes offenses pay for bad decision-making more than any in recent memory. The Lions are on pace for 23 interceptions this season which would be the most the team has had since 2000.

Joseph is tied for the third most interception return yards (167) of any player the last three seasons. Despite all those return yards, his thievery of Love on Sunday was his first career defensive touchdown, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

With the Lions leading 10-3 and only 32 seconds left in the first half, Detroit blitzed Love and feasted on his hurried decision-making. Joseph snatched an ill-advised and panicked Love dump-off attempt to Josh Jacobs and rumbled 27 yards, with help from Club Endzone bouncer Levi Onwuzurike, for the pick-six.

Love was only 2-of-4 passing for 46 passing yards between the numbers on passes of 10+ air yards. Part of the reason Love was hesitant to attack over the middle was likely because Joseph is such a skilled ball-hawking buzzard. He stepped up in Branch’s absence to nearly single-handedly eliminate deep strikes over the middle.

Joseph finished with four total tackles (all solo), one interception, an 87.7 PFF defensive grade (third-highest safety of Week 9), and two catches allowed for 30 yards. Perhaps, his most impressive accomplishment, is that his interception, the 14th of his career, makes him the first safety with at least 14 picks in his first three seasons since Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed (2002-04). That’s what level Joseph has been playing at lately.

Unsung Heroes – Offensive Line

Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, and Penei Sewell deserve as much credit for the Lions’ win on the mudpie soaked Lambeau Field as anyone. Those hog mollies are the Lions’ best unit and the heart and soul of the team.

The offensive line helped pave the way for David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs who combined for 28 carries for 128 yards (4.9 yards/carry) and one touchdown. The offensive line was critical on all three of the Lions’ most important drives exerting their will. On the first touchdown drive, they ran the ball eight times for 39 yards. On their second touchdown drive, they ran seven times for 51 yards, including Gibbs’ fourth down 15-yard touchdown. There were dozens of highlight-reel bulldozing blocks from the big boys up front on the day.

Through the air, besides one inadvertent Sewell trip that led to a sack, the wrecking crew was lights out up front. Goff was only pressured eight times, which allowed for him to have another efficient, mistake-free, meticulous game. Goff’s final numbers were 18-of-22 passing for 145 passing yards and one touchdown.

The masterpiece from the Lions offensive line against the Packers was their complementary role, along with David Montgomery, on the game’s final drive. This bunch was built to eat clock and march towards taking knees with a lead.

The Lions got the ball, following the Packers lone desperation touchdown, with 3:49 remaining in the game and a 24-14 play lead. Five plays later—all Montgomery touches that earned 39 total yards and three first downs—and Packers’ two timeouts timeouts were gone, and Goff kneeled the rest of the game away. The Lions offensive line is the best group of closers in football and they continue to show why just about every week. They personify the saying “grit don’t quit.”