St. Brown Injured as Lions Fall 31-24 to Packers

The Detroit Lions fell 31-24 to the Green Bay Packers on a dissapointinf Thanksgiving performance that raised concerns far beyond the final score. The loss at Ford Field was damaging for Detroit’s playoff positioning, but the team was dealt an even more significant blow when wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown suffered a high ankle sprain that could keep him sidelined for multiple weeks.

Head coach Dan Campbell did not sugarcoat the situation after the game, telling reporters St. Brown “will miss one to two weeks if we’re lucky,” signaling the injury could linger longer than the staff initially hoped. St. Brown, one of Detroit’s most productive offensive weapons, has been essential to the team’s rhythm all season.

On the field, the Lions struggled from the opening series and never found the consistency necessary to overcome their mistakes. Though the offense showed flashes, Detroit’s defense once again proved to be the primary issue, surrendering a season-high 31 points and allowing the Packers to control the tempo throughout the afternoon.

The Lions’ pass rush was nearly nonexistent, even with the return of starting edge rusher Marcus Davenport. Detroit failed to record a sack, giving Packers quarterback Jordan Love ample time in the pocket. Love capitalized, completing accurate throws across the field and finishing with 234 yards and four touchdown passes.

Detroit managed only two quarterback hits, one from rookie defensive lineman Tyleik Williams and the other from defensive tackle Alim McNeill. Star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, typically a disruptive force, was held without a pressure of significance. Hutchinson finished with just three solo tackles in one of his quieter performances of the season.

The struggles extended to the secondary. Cornerback Amik Robertson endured a difficult afternoon, getting beaten multiple times in coverage. His most costly mistake came in the third quarter when he was burned on a 51-yard touchdown pass to Christian Watson. Later, on a crucial third-and-5, Robertson slipped in coverage, allowing another first down that helped sustain a Green Bay scoring drive.

The Lions were unable to get off the field in critical situations. Green Bay converted 6 of 12 third-down attempts and went a perfect 3 for 3 on fourth down. The Packers also finished 2 for 2 in the red zone, capitalizing each time Detroit’s defense tightened near the goal line.

Detroit also felt the absence of safety Kerby Joseph, whose range and ball-hawking ability have been sorely missed. The Lions’ secondary has struggled lately since as Joseph’s injury lingers. Detroit allowed 359 total yards, much of it coming from breakdowns in coverage and missed assignments.

The officiating crew drew the ire of Detroit fans late in the first half. On a third-and-1 play, the Packers appeared to commit a false start, prompting a flag from an official. After a brief conference, however, the officials ruled that Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur had called timeout before the penalty. Replays showed the flag being thrown before LaFleur signaled, and the sequence ultimately allowed the Packers to keep their drive alive. Instead of being pushed back and forced into a field-goal attempt, Green Bay converted on fourth-and-1 and scored a touchdown.

For Detroit, the loss dropped the team to 7-5, while the Packers improved to 8-3-1 and tightened their grip on the NFC North lead. What once looked like a division comfortably within reach for the Lions has begun to slip away as inconsistencies mount.

The road ahead does not get easier. Detroit now prepares for a pivotal Thursday night matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, one of the league’s hottest teams and fresh off back-to-back wins over the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. With injuries piling up and defensive issues still lingering, the Lions will need a sharp turnaround to avoid losing further ground in the playoff race.