Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions: 2021 Week 18 Recap

Game story

In Week 18 of the 2021 NFL season on 2022-01-09, the Detroit Lions took care of business against the Green Bay Packers, pulling away with a 37–30 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Goff (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +10.67 total EPA, and +7.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A.St. Brown (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.14 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+28.3% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Green Bay Packers changed the game: (5:01) (Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass short left to 81-J.Deguara for 62 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.St. Brown · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +11.14 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Goff · Detroit Lions · Passing · +10.67 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Lazard · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +9.01 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.50 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Kennedy · Detroit Lions · Passing · +5.07 total EPA · 1 snaps · +5.07 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Raymond · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.78 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Wright · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.72 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.36 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Rodgers · Green Bay Packers · Passing · +4.10 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Adams · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +3.60 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.51 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 — A. Lazard (A. Rodgers pass) (Q1 52:46)
• Detroit Lions — K. Raymond (T. Kennedy pass) (Q1 46:41)
• Detroit Lions — A. St (J. Goff pass) (Q2 37:03)
• Green Bay Packers — A. Lazard (A. Rodgers pass) (Q2 32:41)
• Detroit Lions — B. Wright (J. Goff pass) (Q3 27:59)
• Green Bay Packers — P. Taylor (Q4 14:16)
• Green Bay Packers — J. Deguara (J. Love pass) (Q4 5:01)
• Detroit Lions — D. Swift (Q4 2:00)

Field goals

• Detroit Lions — R. Patterson (Q2 30:05)
• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q3 22:41)
• Detroit Lions — R. Patterson (Q4 6:43)
• Detroit Lions — R. Patterson (Q4 0:51)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q1 52:46) — (7:46) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 13-A.Lazard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 52:42) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-46-S.Wirtel, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the GB 75 (Q1 46:41) — (1:41) 85-T.Kennedy pass deep right to 11-K.Raymond for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the GB 15 (Q1 46:29) — 6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox..

The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 10–6. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the GB 2 (Q2 37:03) — (7:03) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 14-A.St. Brown for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the GB 15 (Q2 37:00) — 6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DET 29 (Q2 32:41) — (2:41) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep left to 13-A.Lazard for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the GB 16 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 6-R.Patterson 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox..

The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–3. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the GB 36 (Q3 27:59) — (12:59) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 89-B.Wright for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the GB 15 (Q3 27:50) — 6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the DET 17 (Q3 22:41) — (7:41) 2-M.Crosby 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-S.Wirtel, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez..

The fourth quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 14–13. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q4 14:16) — (14:16) (Shotgun) 27-P.Taylor right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the GB 18 (Q4 6:43) — (6:43) 6-R.Patterson 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DET 62 (Q4 5:01) — (5:01) (Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass short left to 81-J.Deguara for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers registered a safety from the DET 2 (Q4 4:49) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-J.Love rushes right end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the GB 14 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 32-D.Swift left tackle for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the GB 15 (Q4 1:54) — 6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the GB 9 (Q4 0:51) — (:51) 6-R.Patterson 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox..

Turning points

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

• Green Bay Packers (Q4 5:01) — (5:01) (Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass short left to 81-J.Deguara for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +28.3% · EPA +4.98]
• Green Bay Packers (Q4 1:23) — (1:23) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass short middle intended for 8-Am.Rodgers INTERCEPTED by 38-C.Moore at GB 36. 38-C.Moore pushed ob at GB 15 for 21 yards (27-P.Taylor). [WPA -19.5% · EPA -5.36]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 46:41) — (1:41) 85-T.Kennedy pass deep right to 11-K.Raymond for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.4% · EPA +5.07]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 32-D.Swift left tackle for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.5% · EPA +2.10]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 2:31) — (2:31) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 89-B.Wright to GB 14 for 15 yards (26-D.Savage). DET-14-A.St. Brown was injured during the play. [WPA +12.6% · EPA +1.84]

Impact plays

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

• Green Bay Packers (Q4 1:23) — (1:23) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass short middle intended for 8-Am.Rodgers INTERCEPTED by 38-C.Moore at GB 36. 38-C.Moore pushed ob at GB 15 for 21 yards (27-P.Taylor). [WPA -19.5% · EPA -5.36]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 46:41) — (1:41) 85-T.Kennedy pass deep right to 11-K.Raymond for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.4% · EPA +5.07]
• Green Bay Packers (Q4 5:01) — (5:01) (Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass short left to 81-J.Deguara for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +28.3% · EPA +4.98]
• Green Bay Packers (Q3 28:04) — (13:04) (Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass short right to 88-J.Winfree to GB 32 for 2 yards (41-A.Parker). FUMBLES (41-A.Parker), RECOVERED by DET-26-I.Melifonwu at GB 36. 26-I.Melifonwu to GB 36 for no gain (8 [WPA -6.3% · EPA -3.92]

Quarterback report card

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

• J.Goff (Detroit Lions) · 31 dropbacks · 67.7% completion · +7.4% CPOE · +0.34 EPA/play · +10.67 total EPA
• A.Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) · 22 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · +6.6% CPOE · +0.19 EPA/play · +4.10 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Detroit Lions held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.12 vs +0.04), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Detroit Lions: 11 drives, +8.85 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Green Bay Packers: 11 drives, +3.70 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Detroit Lions leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• A.St. Brown (Detroit Lions) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Goff (DET) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• 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 52:46 · DET 1 · Score 6-0
   (7:46) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 13-A.Lazard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q1 52:42 · DET 15 · Score 7-0
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-46-S.Wirtel, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez.
3. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 46:41 · GB 75 · Score 7-6
   (1:41) 85-T.Kennedy pass deep right to 11-K.Raymond for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 46:29 · GB 15 · Score 7-7
   6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
5. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 37:03 · GB 2 · Score 7-13
   (7:03) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 14-A.St. Brown for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 37:00 · GB 15 · Score 7-14
   6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
7. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 32:41 · DET 29 · Score 13-14
   (2:41) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep left to 13-A.Lazard for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · GB 16 · Score 13-17
   (:05) 6-R.Patterson 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
9. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 27:59 · GB 36 · Score 13-23
   (12:59) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 89-B.Wright for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 27:50 · GB 15 · Score 13-24
    6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
11. Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q3 22:41 · DET 17 · Score 16-24
    (7:41) 2-M.Crosby 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-S.Wirtel, Holder-7-C.Bojorquez.
12. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 14:16 · DET 1 · Score 22-24
    (14:16) (Shotgun) 27-P.Taylor right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 6:43 · GB 18 · Score 22-27
    (6:43) 6-R.Patterson 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
14. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 5:01 · DET 62 · Score 28-27
    (5:01) (Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass short left to 81-J.Deguara for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Green Bay Packers Safety (+2) — Q4 4:49 · DET 2 · Score 30-27
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-J.Love rushes right end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
16. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · GB 14 · Score 30-33
    (2:00) 32-D.Swift left tackle for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 1:54 · GB 15 · Score 30-34
    6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
18. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 0:51 · GB 9 · Score 30-37
    (:51) 6-R.Patterson 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.