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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARI at SEA | BAL at MIN | BUF at NYJ | CAR at TB | CHI at ATL | CLE at PIT | DEN at SD | DET at GB |
| HOU at CIN | KC at WAS | NYG at NO | PHI at OAK | STL at JAX | TEN at NE | ||
Week 6 Game Recap: Detroit Lions 0, Green Bay Packers 26
Detroit Lions
| QB Daunte Culpepper, Pass: 6 - 14 - 48 - 0 TD / 1 INT |
Culpepper started for the injured Matt Stafford was completely ineffective, having a forgettable effort vs. the Packers in week 6. Daunte had a rough start (misreading a screen pass and throwing an INT on the teams first offensive drive) and was never able to get the Lions offense in gear. The list of reasons for the poor showing were plenty: lack of line support, injuries to key offensive players, and an ineffective running game. Culpepper pulled up lame after a 3rd quarter scramble and left thereafter with a hamstring injury. The Lions are off next week and it remains to be seen who will lead the them after the bye with the injuries piling up.
| QB Drew Stanton, Pass: 5 - 11 - 57 - 0 TD / 2 INT |
Stanton entered the game in the 3rd quarter after starter Dante Culpepper injured his right hamstring. Stanton promptly threw an INT, however the blame should go to Dennis Northcutt as he tipped it up in the air for the INT. Drew also forced the ball into the end zone late for another INT. Despite the mistakes it was a mixed bag for Stanton as at times he showed good pocket presence and a quick release and at others he held the ball too long and took unnecessary sacks. If Stafford and Culpepper are unable to play following Detroit's bye week, Stanton could see a rare start. At this point he remains a long shot as a waiver wire pickup though.
| RB Kevin Smith, Rush: 15 - 61 - 0 (2 targets) |
With the Lions playing from behind early on in week 6, Kevin Smith had a rather uneventful game vs. the Packers. During the first half Green Bay's front 4 did a great job bottling him, there was simply no room for Smith to work with. This was highlighted by Smith getting stopped for a no gain on a 4 & 1. In the second half Green Bay has built a size able lead and Smith was able to break off a couple of nice runs of 19 & 20 yds (the 20 yarder being his largest of the season). Strangely Smith was not a factor in the passing game, finishing with zero catches on 2 targets. Smith remains a solid RB2 but he has been held in check since Matt Stafford went down with his knee injury.
| RB Jerome Felton, Rush: 1 - 4 - 0, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (1 targets) |
Felton's number was only called twice in week 6. He had a nice 4 yard gain on a draw play in the 3rd quarter and later caught a 4 yard screen pass from Drew Stanton. The Lions staff continue to talk glowingly about Felton but it has yet to translate into results on the field.
| RB Aaron Brown, Rush: 2 - 13 - 0 |
The rookie had a chance to showcase his speed early on rushing for 14 yards on a reverse play. He was stopped for a 1 yard loss on this other run later in the game in mop up duty. At this point it would be fair to say that Detroit could benefit by getting Brown more involved week to week as a change of pace back.
| WR Dennis Northcutt, Rec: 5 - 40 - 0 (6 targets) |
For the 2nd straight week Northcutt was the Lions best looking and most effective WR. Northcutt ran crisp routes and made a few nice catches on hook routes early on. Northcutt was only able to rack up 40 yards due to the Lions anemic passing game this week. With Calvin Johnson out, Northcutt remains a viable starting wideout in deep leagues. It's also possible that Northcutt could stick with his current role when Johnson returns as well. Stay tuned.
| WR Bryant Johnson, Rec: 2 - 27 - 0 (4 targets) |
With Calvin Johnson out again in week 6, Bryant Johnson lined up as the Lions #1 WR again. Of course this should mean a slight uptick in production for Johnson however he had a quiet game and was really only targeted a handful of times. Johnson managed to reel in a couple of intermediate passes for a total of 27 yards. Johnson is an enigma, a talented WR that has yet to translate his talent into consistent NFL success. He is a risky play in all leagues at this point.
| WR Derrick Williams, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (3 targets) |
Williams continues to evolve into a special teams player for the Lions and was used a couple of times as a slot WR in week 6 as well. Williams lone catch was a beautiful sideline tiptoe grab for 7 yards. It's possible we see more of Williams as the season progresses for Detroit, he should be rostered in deep dynasty leagues as an upside project.
| WR John Standeford, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (3 targets) |
Standeford served as the Lions #4 WR in week 6 and managed to grab one short catch for 5 yards (his first of the year). He was also targeted in the red zone by Drew Stanton late in the game.
| TE Will Heller, Rec: 1 - 22 - 0 (3 targets) |
Heller was targeted a few times and made a nice down field catch in the 4th quarter from Drew Stanton for 22 yards. He remains the Lions 2nd TE and will only see a few targets per week.
| TE Brandon Pettigrew (3 targets) |
Pettigrew was dealt a shutout in week 6 catching zero passes. He was targeted 3 times, however he dropped an easy catch in the 1st and was never a factor. A few weeks back it looked as if Brandon may be settling into a rookie groove with Matt Stafford, but with Stafford out Pettigrew is struggling to make an impact as a receiver or a blocker in this offense.
Green Bay Packers
| QB Aaron Rodgers, Pass: 29 - 37 - 358 - 2 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 3 - 9 - 0 |
Rodgers got off to a fast start and ended up torching the Lions week secondary on his way to his 2nd straight 300 yard effort. His hot start culminated in two TD tosses, a 47 yard beauty down the middle to James Jones and then a short strike to FB John Kuhn. Despite being under duress many times and sacked 5 times he was very poised in control throughout this one. His awareness allowed him to escape the pocket and extend a couple of plays as well. Rodgers did the majority of his damage in the 1st half before the Green Bay play calling went conservative in the 2nd half. He turned the ball over twice late in the game on a fumble in the pocket and an INT on a great individual effort by rookie LB DeAndre Levy on the INT. Overall this game wasn't nearly as lopsided as it could have been thanks to breakdowns and penalties by the Packers offensive line. Green Bay lost left tackle Chad Clifton to an injury in the third quarter possibly hurting the same right ankle that caused him to miss the previous two games. Rodgers is an elite talent who will only be held back (if at all) by weak line play in front of him.
| RB Ryan Grant, Rush: 24 - 90 - 0, Rec: 3 - 17 - 0 (4 targets) |
It was a tale of two halves for Grant in week 6 vs. the Lions. Grant was not leaned on very heavily in the 1st half and was he mostly ineffective when he did see the ball. Grant really turned it on during the 2nd half breaking off his largest gain of the season of 22 yards. He displayed his usual tough running style and finished strong on most of his carries. His final numbers will look good in the box score, putting up over 100 total yards, but it was a rather pedestrian effort for him. But so is life when you are Ryan Grant, solid but rarely spectacular.
| RB Brandon Jackson, Rush: 2 - 6 - 0, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (1 targets) |
Jackson saw the field for the 1st time this season after being out with an ankle injury. He showed no ill effect from that injury in mop up time late in week 6. Jackson was unable to break a tackle on two short carries but later made a nice 3rd down catch on a play that Rodgers was able to extend with his feet. It remains to be seen if Jackson has taken the backup RB job or if DeShawn Wynn will be serving that role when he returns from his injury.
| RB John Kuhn, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 1 - 1 - 1 (1 targets) |
Kuhn managed to vulture a short TD catch (3rd of the year) from Rodgers in the 1st quarter. He also ran for a 1st down on his only carry of the game and a strong second effort. Kuhn is evolving into a TD threat in this offense on a week to week basis. Somewhere Tommy Vardell is smiling.
| WR Donald Driver, Rec: 7 - 107 - 0 (8 targets) |
Just another day at the office for the new Green Bay Packers all time leading WR. Driver was used all over the field in week 6 and displayed terrific hands on all of his targets. He caught a bubble screen for a 1st down in the red zone, multiple slant route catches for 1st downs, a flea flicker reception, and he made an obscene 1-handed catch while falling to the ground in the 3rd quarter. He finished with 107 yards on 7 catches, both season highs for the vet. Driver is a consummate professional who continues to produce on a weekly basis. No steps have been lost here.
| WR Greg Jennings, Rec: 6 - 64 - 0 (8 targets) |
Jennings had a another solid game for the Packers in week 6 catching 6 passes for 64 yards. The highlight of his production came on a stellar one-handed catch over the middle on an overthrown ball by Aaron Rodgers. One has to wonder just how much damage Jennings would have done today if Rodgers would have been given more time to find him downfield. He was open at will throughout the game thanks to the Lions LB's stepping up and leaving the DB's out to dry. Jennings remains a WR1 in all leagues.
| WR James Jones, Rec: 2 - 55 - 1 (3 targets) |
Jones was back to being the #3 WR in the Packers offense during week 6. Jones was able to exploit blown coverage by a weak Lions secondary in the games first drive, turning it into a 47 yd td catch. Jones other reception was a short catch in the flats that he turned upfield for a first down. He made the most of what came his way in week 6.
| WR Jordy Nelson |
Nelson was strictly used on special teams during week 6 and saw zero targets in the passing game. He left the game with a knee injury and might miss some time.
| TE Jermichael Finley, Rec: 5 - 54 - 0 (5 targets) |
It appears as if Finley is starting to wrestle the starting TE job away from Donald Lee. This week Finley lined up as TE and in the slot on his way to 5 catches on 5 targets. His receptions came on a variety of looks as well (screens, slants, over them middle). He combo of size and speed enabled him to make a terrific 30 yard catch down the center of the field. It's possible we are seeing his emergence as a future elite TE in the box scores.
| TE Donald Lee, Rec: 3 - 39 - 0 (4 targets) |
Despite the emergence of Finley in the Packers passing attack Lee remains a solid option for Rodgers to throw to. In week 6 Lee was targeted a few times early in the game and made the most of his chances. Lee finished the game with 3 catches and is starting to slide into Green Bay's #2 TE option.