Packers vs. Lions final score, takeaways: Green Bay comes back to beat Detroit on last-second field goal

The Packers got off to an awful start, but had the final say in Green Bay

Trailing 13-0 early and 22-13 in the final quarter, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers rallied to defeat the visiting Detroit Lions 23-22 on "Monday Night Football."

With the win, the Packers, at 5-1, are all alone in first place in the NFC North division. The Lions, who had won four straight against the Packers before Monday night, fall to 2-2-1 and are in last place in the North.

WHY THE PACKERS WON

Stout red-zone defense, a more balanced offensive attack and Aaron Rodgers' clutch plays were the difference. While Rodgers threw for nearly 200 yards in the second half alone (he finished with 283 yards on 24 of 39 passing), Jamaal Williams, who received heavy minutes after Aaron Jones fumbled and dropped a touchdown pass in the first half, rushed for 104 yards that included a 45-yard run that trimmed Green Bay's deficit to 13-10 at halftime.

The Packers beat the Lions on Monday night and there's a lot to go over. Fortunately Will Brinson, John Breech, Ryan Wilson and Sean Wagner-McGough are here to break everything down on the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast. Listen to the full show below and be sure to subscribe right here.

Despite playing without Devante Adams and losing Geronimo Allison during the game with a possible concussion, Rodgers completed passes to nine different players that included his 35-yard gem to Allen Lazard that got the Packers to within two points late in the game. Three completions to Lazard on the final drive helped set up Mason Crosby's game-winning kick.

After allowing quarterback Matt Stafford to throw for over 200 yards in the first half, Green Bay's defense allowed under 50 passing yards during the game's final 30 minutes. Kenny Golladay, who had 105 receiving yards at halftime, caught just one pass during the second half. Green Bay's defense, led by Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith, held the Lions to just 56 yards rushing. The Packers' defense also applied consistent pressure on Stafford, particularly on third down.

WHY THE LIONS LOST

The Lions were just 1-3 in the red zone, as Detroit failed to fully capitalize on its early scoring opportunities. A 66-yard completion from Stafford to Golladay on the game's first play resulted in just three points. And while the Lions were able to parlay a 58-yard completion from Stafford to Marvin Hall into a Kerryon Johnson 1-yard scoring run on their next possession, they had to settle for a second field goal after recovering Aaron Jones' fumble on Green Bay's ensuing possession.

The Lions' biggest squandered opportunity came after recovering Darrius Shepherd's fumbled punt at the Packers' 25 yard line five minutes into the third. Instead of a touchdown, Detroit had to settle for another field goal while taking a 16-13 lead. The Lions settled for yet another field goal after Justin Coleman returned his red zone pick of Rogers into Green Bay territory with just over 12 minutes remaining.

Two big penalties against Lions pass rusher Trey Flowers also proved to be critical to the outcome. Flowers' first illegal hands to the face penalty against Green Bay lineman David Bakhtiari gave the Packers a first down that eventually led to Rogers' touchdown pass to Lazard. Flowers' second penalty, with the Lions out of timeouts and trying to get one last possession, gave the Packers a fresh set of downs while allowing them to drain what was left of the game clock before sending Crosby out for the game-winning kick.

Detroit's lack of offensive balance, as stated above, also contributed to their lack of offensive success during the second half of Monday's game.

TURNING POINT

While the Packers were gaining momentum, Flowers' first fourth-quarter penalty changed the complexion of the game. After Rodgers was sacked by Kevin Strong for an 11-yard loss on third-and-10 from the Lions' 45-yard line, the penalty gave Green Bay a first down on Detroit's 40 with 9:54 left. Rodgers hit Lazard for the touchdown two plays later.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Rogers' throw to Lazard was a thing of beauty. While Monday night's game was anything but perfect, Rodgers made the clutch plays when it mattered while leading Green Bay to a come-from-behind victory. Rodgers recorded his 21st game-winning drive on Monday night and his sixth against the Lions.

QUOTABLE

"Totally didn't feel like a win, until the end." — Rodgers to ESPN just moments after Monday's win, which saw the Packers lose the turnover battle, 0-3 while also going 1-4 in the red zone.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Packers will host the surprising 3-2 Oakland Raiders this Sunday. Oakland, winners of two straight, are coming off a bye week after debating the Chicago Bears in London in Week 5.

The Lions will host the 4-2 Vikings in another matchup between NFC North division foes this Sunday at Ford Field.

Relive all the action in the stream below! If the live blog fails to display, click here to reload. 

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:23 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Thanks all for joining us for the final Week 6 game! And what a game it was, including some officiating drama that will be talked about a lot over the next 24 hours. Goodnight everyone, see you in Week 7!

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:22 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Packers trailed 13-0 and 22-13 but pull off the win against the Lions. Green Bay now in sole possession of first place of NFC North with a 5-1 record. Both teams played well enough to win but the Packers prevail.

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:21 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Crosby's 23-yard kick is good, Packers escape with a 23-22 win. Green Bay never led until now. Rodgers now has 21 career game-winning drives in fourth quarter or overtime, six now against the Lions.

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:20 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Officiating is going to get crushed after this game. Heck, it's already starting.

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:19 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Wow. Williams falls short of the end zone. Lions did everything they could but throw him into the end zone.

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:18 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The refs really do not like Trey Flowers.

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:17 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

I can't believe this.

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:17 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

I don't see the penalty.

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:17 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Illegal hands to the face on the Lions. Packers get first down. Lions will have to pray that Crosby misses a FG.

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:16 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Yep. Keep it in your best player's hands.

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:16 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Packers keep it on the ground, Lions use final time out. Green Bay facing third down and four with 1:45 left. I'm thinking pass here. Rodgers won't call a run here.

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:15 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Lions spend their second timeout with 1:50 left the Packers in field goal range.

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:13 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Man, how clutch has Lazar been? He's winning his matchup with Justin Coleman.

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:12 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Regardless what happens in the next two minutes, I feel like the Lions CAN be a better team than Green Bay. But GB's red zone defense, offensive balance and Aaron Rodgers make the Packers a superior team.

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:12 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

https://twitter.com/seanjwagne...

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:09 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

This is a Rodgers' masterpiece. Two of his key receivers out and he's leading Green Bay down the field.

[Oct 14, 2019 at 11:09 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Jimmy Graham picked a nice time to have a clutch catch.