Packers double up Lions to move to 2-0

Updated: Sept. 20, 5:30 p.m.

The Green Bay Packers overcame a sluggish start before pulling away for a dominant 42-21 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday at a crowdless Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

Running back Aaron Jones was the star for the Packers offense, rushing for 168 yards and two touchdowns and hauling in a team-leading four passes for an additional 68 yards and another score. The 236 total yards of offense is the second-highest mark in Packers history for a single game.

“For us, it all starts up front (blocking). Those guys did a great job of coming out and just getting after it and opening up lanes,” said Jones of his big day.

Detroit put together an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to start the game before Green Bay countered with a field goal on its first drive. The Lions answered with another 75-yard drive to go up two scores early.

In what Jones called a critical point of the game, the Packers put together a 75-yard touchdown drive of their own, capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers to Jones.

The teams traded punts over the next three drives, but Green Bay did a better job of moving the ball, so the hosts were set up with good field position with a minute to go in the half.

It took the Packers just four plays to go 62 yards and get in the end zone to take the lead. Tight end Robert Tonyan — who had a costly drop on the first possession of the game — hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers.

Detroit moved the ball in the waning seconds of the first half, but a 57-yard field goal attempt by kicker Matt Prater was wide right.

Green Bay’s offense picked up right where it left off to open the second half, as Jones broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run on the first offensive play.

“He’s such a talented guy. He does so many things for our offense,” said Rodgers of Jones.

After Green Bay’s defense forced a quick three-and-out, the offense moved the ball into Detroit territory before having to punt. The punt from JK Scott went into the end zone, but a Lions penalty forced the visitors to start from their own 5-yard line.

The penalty proved costly, as on the first down play, Packers pass rusher Rashan Gary applied pressure on Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford, resulting in a hurried throw, which Packers cornerback Chandon Sullivan jumped in front of. After making the interception, Sullivan was able to tumble into the end zone for a pick six to put the Pack up 17, 31-14.

Green Bay’s defense forced another punt on the next possession, and the offense capitalized by putting three more points on the board after a 35-yard field goal from Mason Crosby.

Detroit scored a touchdown on its next possession, but again, the Packers had an answer to put the game away.

The big play on the scoring drive was a 41-yard pass on third down from Rodgers to receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, with Jones picking up a blitzer to allow Rodgers to get the ball off. Jones was rewarded later in the drive, scoring on a 14-yard run to cap the scoring.

“Well, it certainly wasn’t the start that we wanted to the game, but I thought our guys kind of hung together and didn’t blink,” said Matt LaFleur, who improved to 8-0 against the NFC North since taking over as Green Bay’s coach. “Nobody pointed the finger and they looked inward and were able to come out and execute. It was a good team win.”

For the game, Green Bay outgained Detroit 488-307. The Packers averaged 7.4 yards per rush attempt, tallying 259 rushing yards for the day.

Along with the two touchdown passes, Rodgers finished with 240 passing yards, although the number could have been much higher had it not been for several drops.

Jamaal Williams quietly put up 63 rushing yards on just eight attempts. Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard and Davante Adams all finished with three receptions.

Adams was one of several Packer players that had to leave the game with an injury.

Free agent linebacker acquisition Christian Kirksey led the Packers defense with 12 total tackles. Gary finished with 1.5 sacks, while Za’Darius Smith and rookie Vernon Scott added a sack each. Gary shared one sack with Preston Smith.

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