Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers: 2014 Week 17 Recap

Game story

In Week 17 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-12-28, the Green Bay Packers took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 30–20 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 15 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +0.29 total EPA, and -12.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +22.11 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+12.2% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Green Bay Packers changed the game: (3:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 18-R.Cobb for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 A. Rodgers · Green Bay Packers · Passing · +22.11 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Cobb · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +7.24 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.45 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Rodgers · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +4.74 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Nelson · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +4.41 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Riddick · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.64 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Ross · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.35 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.18 EPA/play
7. 7 E. Lacy · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +1.59 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Collins · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.91 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.91 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Green Bay Packers — M. Hyde (Q1 50:04)
• Green Bay Packers — R. Cobb (A. Rodgers pass) (Q2 32:30)
• Detroit Lions — C. Johnson (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 30:29)
• Detroit Lions — C. Johnson (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 22:39)
• Green Bay Packers — R. Cobb (A. Rodgers pass) (Q3 18:39)
• Green Bay Packers — A. Rodgers (Q4 8:56)
• Detroit Lions — T. Riddick (M. Stafford pass) (Q4 1:50)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 7–0. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the GB 90 (Q1 50:04) — (5:04) 6-S.Martin punts 45 yards to GB 45, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 33-M.Hyde for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 49:49) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q2 32:30) — (2:30) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 18-R.Cobb for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. GB-12-A.Rodgers was injured during the play.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 32:24) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the GB 20 (Q2 30:29) — (:29) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 81-C.Johnson for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q2 30:24) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the GB 4 (Q3 22:39) — (7:39) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 81-C.Johnson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q3 22:34) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DET 13 (Q3 18:39) — (3:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 18-R.Cobb for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 18:33) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay..

The fourth quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 9–6. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q4 8:56); Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 8:45) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; Green Bay Packers registered a safety from the GB 44 (Q4 2:30) — (2:30) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete short left to 25-T.Riddick.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the GB 6 (Q4 1:50) — (1:50) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 25-T.Riddick for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Green Bay Packers (Q3 18:39) — (3:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 18-R.Cobb for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.2% · EPA +2.70]
• Green Bay Packers (Q2 40:11) — (10:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 27-E.Lacy left tackle to DET 18 for 8 yards (32-J.Ihedigbo). FUMBLES (32-J.Ihedigbo), RECOVERED by DET-93-G.Johnson at DET 17. 93-G.Johnson to DET 17 for no gain (63-C.Lin [WPA -9.0% · EPA -4.65]
• Green Bay Packers (Q1 52:50) — (7:50) 27-E.Lacy left tackle to DET 1 for no gain (94-E.Ansah). Yard marker changed due to change of possession. [WPA -9.0% · EPA -3.57]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 50:04) — (5:04) 6-S.Martin punts 45 yards to GB 45, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 33-M.Hyde for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -8.4% · EPA -4.04]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 13:36) — (13:36) 9-M.Stafford FUMBLES (Aborted) at DET 38, RECOVERED by GB-42-M.Burnett at DET 42. 42-M.Burnett to DET 42 for no gain (77-C.Lucas). [WPA -7.9% · EPA -5.03]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Detroit Lions (Q4 13:36) — (13:36) 9-M.Stafford FUMBLES (Aborted) at DET 38, RECOVERED by GB-42-M.Burnett at DET 42. 42-M.Burnett to DET 42 for no gain (77-C.Lucas). [WPA -7.9% · EPA -5.03]
• Green Bay Packers (Q2 40:11) — (10:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 27-E.Lacy left tackle to DET 18 for 8 yards (32-J.Ihedigbo). FUMBLES (32-J.Ihedigbo), RECOVERED by DET-93-G.Johnson at DET 17. 93-G.Johnson to DET 17 for no gain (63-C.Lin [WPA -9.0% · EPA -4.65]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 50:04) — (5:04) 6-S.Martin punts 45 yards to GB 45, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 33-M.Hyde for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -8.4% · EPA -4.04]
• Green Bay Packers (Q1 52:50) — (7:50) 27-E.Lacy left tackle to DET 1 for no gain (94-E.Ansah). Yard marker changed due to change of possession. [WPA -9.0% · EPA -3.57]

Quarterback report card

M.Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 46 dropbacks · 43.5% completion · -12.4% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.29 total EPA
• A.Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) · 26 dropbacks · 65.4% completion · +7.6% CPOE · +0.85 EPA/play · +22.11 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Green Bay Packers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.10), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Detroit Lions: 12 drives, -8.03 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Green Bay Packers: 12 drives, +0.44 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Green Bay Packers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Stafford (DET) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• A. Rodgers (GB) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q1 50:04 · GB 90 · Score 0-6
   (5:04) 6-S.Martin punts 45 yards to GB 45, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 33-M.Hyde for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q1 49:49 · DET 2 · Score 0-7
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
3. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 32:30 · DET 4 · Score 0-13
   (2:30) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 18-R.Cobb for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. GB-12-A.Rodgers was injured during the play.
4. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 32:24 · DET 2 · Score 0-14
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
5. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 30:29 · GB 20 · Score 6-14
   (:29) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 81-C.Johnson for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 30:24 · GB 2 · Score 7-14
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
7. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 22:39 · GB 4 · Score 13-14
   (7:39) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 81-C.Johnson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 22:34 · GB 2 · Score 14-14
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
9. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q3 18:39 · DET 13 · Score 14-20
   (3:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 18-R.Cobb for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q3 18:33 · DET 2 · Score 14-21
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
11. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 8:56 · DET 1 · Score 14-27
    (8:56) 12-A.Rodgers up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling o
12. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q4 8:45 · DET 2 · Score 14-28
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
13. Green Bay Packers Safety (+2) — Q4 2:30 · GB 44 · Score 14-30
    (2:30) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete short left to 25-T.Riddick.
14. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 1:50 · GB 6 · Score 20-30
    (1:50) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 25-T.Riddick for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.