Drops, penalties and pick-sixes catapult the Packers into a disappointing loss to the Lions

A devastating combination of drops, penalties and a disastrous, game-winning pick-six gave the Green Bay Packers a disappointing 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions at rain-soaked Lambeau Field on Sunday.

On the FOX broadcast, the Packers were credited with six drops, including one by running back Chris Brooks in the red zone on third down, one by Tucker Kraft on third down before a missed field goal, one by Dontayvion Wicks on third down in the Lions' Territory and another from Wicks in the end zone on third down. It rained the entire game at Lambeau Field, but the Lions had no problems catching the football.

The Packers also committed 10 penalties, including one on fourth down before the Lions' first touchdown, another on third down that extended the Lions' scoring streak to open the second half, and several untimely false starts. The penalties totaled 67 yards. The Lions only had five penalties.

The game turned late in the second quarter when, after the Lions kicked a field goal to take a 10-3 lead, Jordan Love drifted against the pressure and threw an ill-advised pick-six to Kerby Joseph as he attempted , throwing the ball to Josh Jacobs. What could have been a one-score game or even a draw at halftime turned into a 17-3 lead for the Lions, and Dan Campbell's team took advantage of the second-half kickoff to extend the lead to 24 with a quick scoring drive :3 out. The Lions had no giveaway.

The Packers opened the scoring with a field goal on their first possession, but then watched the Lions score 24 straight points.

Green Bay did score 11 straight points to put the game away, but it was too late too late, especially considering Josh Jacobs was on fourth down in the red zone in the fourth quarter.

Speaking of the red zone, the Packers went 1 for 4 touchdowns inside the 20-yard line, including three straight misses early in the game. Emanuel Wilson's 2-yard touchdown run with just under four minutes left was the only touchdown of the game for Matt LaFleur's team. The Packers were also 3 of 12 on third down.

The Lions didn't even play their best game. Detroit averaged 4.7 yards per play and had a 150-yard gain, but the stats didn't matter. The Lions were in control from the second drive of the game until the end.

The Packers are now 6-3 – with two extremely disappointing home losses in the division – entering the bye-bye week.

Can the Packers figure out how to run more plays in the passing game, avoid drive-killing and drive-extending penalties, and let Love get healthy and consistently play at a higher level?

In all three losses this season, the Packers have beaten themselves. This can be seen as encouraging or worrying. On the one hand, this team can beat anyone if it avoids the avalanche of self-inflicted mistakes that has overtaken some of these losses. On the other hand, repeated mistakes often occur at key moments in big games – and overcoming them is often the biggest hurdle for a good team that wants to be great.

Sunday's loss at rain-soaked Lambeau Field highlighted all of the Packers' midway 2024 vulnerabilities. Now comes the bye week. The Packers need to get healthy, refocus and find a way to resurrect what allowed LaFleur's team to finish last season.