Lions can't execute, fall to Packers in Thanksgiving heartbreaker

The Detroit Lions dropped a critical NFC North divisional game at home on Thanksgiving. The Green Bay Packers held on for a 31-24 road win, sending a capacity Ford Field crowd home disappointed.

The game was a story in execution in critical situations, or lack thereof. Green Bay decidedly won those execution exchanges, and it cost the Lions dearly.

Twice in the second half, the Lions faced fourth downs on the Green Bay side of the field. Each ended in failure.

The first was doomed before the ball was snapped. Goff switched into a "kill" call from the initial play and the Packers subsequently buried Jahmyr Gibbs behind the line for an easy stop. That was the only time in a four-drive span the Packers kept the Lions out of the end zone. Green Bay capitalized on the short field with a touchdown drive of its own, as Jordan Love hit Christian Watson over the top of the defense. That extended the Packers lead to 24-14.

Detroit had some momentum working to that point, scoring touchdowns on two straight drives and closing the lead just before halftime. The quick fourth-down fail/counterpunch touchdown was a devastating one for Detroit.

After the Lions answered with another touchdown and kept hope alive, Goff led the offense deep into Green Bay territory. After two bad plays, the Lions went for it on fourth down at the Packers 21-yard line. Goff rolled out by design and threw a hard fastball a little behind Jameson Williams. It was catchable but not a good throw, and it fell to the ground. What could have been a field goal to cut the lead to 31-21 instead ended with zero.

Green Bay had no such problems. The Packers converted all three of their fourth-down attempts in the game. None was bigger than Jordan Love connecting with Christian Watson with under three minutes to play, converting a 3rd-and-5 near midfield that effectively sealed the win.

The Packers exploited the Lions man coverage issues in the red zone twice for touchdowns, something the Lions just couldn't match as well. Green Bay's defense was able to make more impact plays as well, notably 2.5 sacks from Micah Parsons. The final of those sacks forced Detroit to kick a field goal to trim the lead to 31-24 instead of getting closer late in the fourth quarter.

Statistically, the game was fairly even. Detroit gained 352 total yards and picked up 20 first downs on the day. The Packers accrued 359 yards and 18, none bigger than the third fourth-down conversion that ended the game with Love finding Dontayvion Wicks over the middle. Wicks only needed one shoe on to make the catch.

The QB lines were similar as well. Goff produced 256 yards and two TDs on 20-of-26 passing. Love countered with just 18-of-30, but his four TDs among his 234 yards worth of completions were huge.

The game was not without some officiating controversy. A third-down false start penalty against the Packers was wiped out due to an erroneous ruling that head coach Matt LaFleur had called a timeout. Video replays and sideline reports from FOX's Tom Rinaldi conclusively proved otherwise. The Packers scored a touchdown on the next play to go ahead 17-7.

The Lions fall to 7-5 on the season, dropping a division matchup to the Packers, now 8-3-1. Detroit has lost both home games against NFC North foes this year.

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions can't execute, fall to Packers in Thanksgiving heartbreaker