FORD FIELD
WEEK 14: SUNDAY, DEC. 13, 2020
The following are post-game notes and quotes from the Detroit Lions’ 31-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on
Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020.
POST-GAME NOTES
LIONS SCORING PLAYS
- First Quarter: QB Matthew Stafford threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to TE T.J. Hockenson with 9:24 left in the quarter to give Detroit a 7-0 lead. K Matt Prater made the extra point.
- Second Quarter: RB D’Andre Swift rushed for a three-yard score with 1:27 left in the half to even the score at 14-14. K Matt Prater made the extra point.
- Fourth Quarter: RB Kerryon Johnson rushed for a two-yard touchdown to cut the score to 28-21 with 6:30 left to play. K Matt Prater made the extra point.
- Fourth Quarter: K Matt Prater made a 32-yard field goal with 1:49 left to cut the score to 31-24.
TEAM NOTES
The Lions… - Scored at least 20 points for the 12th time this season, joining the 2013 team as the most through 13 games in franchise history.
- Have 13 rushing touchdowns through 13 games, their most since having 15 touchdowns through 13 games in 2012. This marks only the third such occurrence since 2000.
- Have two running backs (RBs Adrian Peterson and D’Andre Swift) with at least five rushing touchdowns through 13 games for the third time since the merger, along with the 1997 (RBs Barry Sanders and Tommy Vardell) and 1983 (RBs Billy Sims and James Jones) seasons.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
TE T.J. HOCKENSON - Logged six receptions for 43 yards (7.2 avg.) and one touchdown.
- Caught his sixth touchdown of the season, bringing his two-year NFL total to eight scores. This ties TE Joseph Fauria for the most touchdown receptions a Lions tight end has caught in his first two NFL seasons.
- His 657 receiving yards this season pass TE Charlie Sanders (656 in 1969) for the fourth-most single-season receiving yards by a tight end in franchise history.
- His 58 receptions through 13 games rank as the third-most by a Lions tight end through 13 games, while his 657 yards are the most. His six touchdown receptions through 13 games tie for the second-most by a tight end with Joseph Fauria (2013) and Jim Gibbons (1964).
QB MATTHEW STAFFORD - Finished 24-of-34 (70.6) for 244 yards and one touchdown for a 100.6 passer rating.
- Threw for a touchdown pass in his 10th
-straight home game, matching the second-longest streak of his career. - Compiled a passer rating of 100.0-or-higher for the second-straight game.
RB ADRIAN PETERSON - Passed Hall of Fame RB LaDainian Tomlinson (3,174) for the sixth-most rushing attempts in NFL history. He now has 3,175 career rushing attempts.
RB D’ANDRE SWIFT - Finished with seven rushes for 24 yards (3.4 avg.) and one touchdown, and four receptions for 26 yards (6.5 avg.) for 50 scrimmage yards on the day.
- Became the eighth player in NFL history to compile at least 350 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, 300 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns within a player’s first 10 career games. The other players are Saquon Barkley (2018), Edgerrin James (1999), Fred Taylor (1998), Ricky Watters (1992), Eric Dickerson (1983), Marcus Allen (1982) and Billy Sims (1980).
- Passed RB Kevin Smith (286 in 2008) for the fourth-most receiving yards a Lions rookie running back has had in a season since the merger.
- Produced his seventh touchdown of the season, tying RB James Jones (1983) for the sixth-most a Lions rookie has had in a season.
- Joined RB Billy Sims (1980) as the only players in franchise history to have five rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns through their first 10 career games.
- Produced his sixth game with at least 50 scrimmage yards within his first 10 career games, tied with WR Calvin Johnson and RB Kevin Jones for the eighth-most in franchise history.
WR DANNY AMENDOLA - Finished with six receptions for 66 yards (11.0 avg.).
- Passed WR Wayne Chrebet (580) for the fourth-most receptions an undrafted player has had in NFL history. It marks the thirdmost ever by an undrafted wide receiver.
LIONS INTERIM HEAD COACH DARRELL BEVELL POST-GAME QUOTE SHEET (VIA ZOOM)
Opening statement: “Just to start off, I thought our guys did a great job going out there and fighting in this game. I’m really proud of them. We knew that this thing was going to be a dog fight and we were going up against one of the best quarterbacks to ever do it in this league. And to be able to be in it at the end of the game right there with one possession to determine it, I was really proud of the guys and how they fought. They finished all the way to the end.”
On the two plays that were reviewed, the WR Marvin Jones Jr. reception near the one-yard line and the onside kick: “Yeah, I saw just that. I thought Marvin (Jones Jr.) made a really good attempt at the ball, I saw the ball in his hands. It was a play worth challenging. It gave us an opportunity to be down there at the one or the two (yard line) or in the end zone, so a big play there. And then the last one, the onside kick. That’s a booth review for us. We gave ourselves a chance and that’s what we were looking for.”
On the first possession of the second half being a three-and-out: “That was not how we wanted to start the second half. They came out and went on a long drive. When that happens, you know it was the pretty opposite side of the ball, we need to respond and do a good job of giving our defense time to rest and we didn’t do that. We went three-and-out, put them back out there, and I think they had another long drive. Fortunately for us, we were able to get it settled there, but that was a big swing in the game.”
On the injury status of QB Matthew Stafford: “Right now, he is still being assessed in the locker room. I had to get up here before I could get all of the information, so we will continue to tell you more tomorrow.”
On if there is concern QB Matthew Stafford will miss time with the injury: “I think it’s too early to tell. Matthew Stafford is as tough as they come. He’s a huge competitor. I know he’s going to want to be out there with his team, so it’s going to have to be pretty drastic for him not to be in there.”
On if QB Matthew Stafford was trying to go back into the game after he went to the locker room with the injury: “I didn’t see the whole thing there. But I know that, just from the information that I got, that he was back there. Obviously we have got to figure out what he is capable of doing. Number one, can he protect himself? And then obviously number two, can he function? Can he throw the ball and that kind of thing? We were assessing that, and I just felt that at that time it was more important to get Chase (Daniel) out there and not put him back in that situation.”
On if at that point QB Matthew Stafford was dealing with pain management or inability to function as a quarterback: “Probably a
little bit of both.”
On the offense’s status if QB Matthew Stafford misses time due to injury: “It’s next man up. I have confidence in Chase (Daniel), and that’s why we have him here. And I also have the utmost confidence in David Blough. I thought he performed really well last year when he had the opportunity to go in there. All of us will rally around him. This is huge team thing. Offense, defense, special teams, we are all going to do this thing together, and we’re going to fight until the end.”
On the defensive struggles during the Packers’ long drives: “Yeah, you’re going up against a great offense there and a great quarterback. I think we did get them in a couple of long situations, but they were able to convert those into shorter situations. We have got to do a better job on third down, make those a little bit longer so it’s harder to convert some of those. But we will go back and we will make those corrections and look at them on tape.”
On if QB Matthew Stafford was getting X-rays after the game: “Yes.”
On the return of RB D’Andre Swift after he was out for a few weeks from an injury: “It’s great to have D’Andre (Swift) back out there. I think he brings a boost to our offense, both in the run game and the passing game, and we will continue to be able to get him more involved as the weeks go on.”
On RB D’Andre Swift’s spirit and excitement to get back on the field: “Yeah, I think for all of these guys, when they get an opportunity to get back on the field, this is what they love to do. I saw him helping the staff, I saw a smile on his face. He wants to do everything he can to help the team.”
On QB Matthew Stafford’s performance before he left the game being on par with QB Aaron Rodgers: “To be honest with you, it doesn’t surprise me. I am proud of the team, like I said at the beginning of this thing here. These guys are ready to fight. They want to continue to play week in and week out. I think, as you saw, they were in it until the end. And we’re going toe to toe with one of the best teams, obviously in our division, but also in the NFC. So I couldn’t be happier for these guys and the way that they played.”
On the impact of DE Everson Griffen’s absence today: “It’s always tough to lose players of that caliber, but we had guys. Kareem Martin was able to get in there, get some reps for us. And just a lot of guys that gave effort, they fought, they gave their best ability out there. Would we love to have had Everson (Griffen)? Absolutely. I think he could make a difference for us. But that wasn’t the case today and the other guys went in there and gave it all they had.”
LIONS QB CHASE DANIEL POST-GAME QUOTE SHEET (VIA ZOOM)
On entering the game late in the fourth quarter: “Listen, as a backup quarterback, right, you’re supposed to be ready at any given moment. It was a pretty crucial part of the game, so for me I was just trying to stay warm on the sideline, get stretched, I mean we were waiting there for 57 minutes or whatever it was in the game. But like I said, life of a backup. Wasn’t sure it was going to happen, he (Matthew Stafford) went in a couple of times, got wrapped up, whatever. For me, it was just like ‘All right, finally got the go ahead you’re going in,’ and just tried to move the ball down the field.”
On how QB Matthew Stafford is feeling now: “I mean listen, he is honestly one of the toughest guys and competitors that I’ve ever
been on a team with. It’s very well written about. The dude’s a warrior. He’s hurting right now, but I think he’s going to work whatever he’s got through it and try and be out there for the team.”
On how QB Matthew Stafford was feeling on the sideline after his injury: “Yeah, he was in pain for sure. I mean, he had just gotten bent over backwards and sideways. He took a crucial hit, but you know, he was the main reason why we scored on that drive, right, that was a big third down, third-and-four I think. He got a yard or two past the sticks, got the first down, next play we scored and he came off holding down there. I just saw the hit on the replay, I mean it wasn’t dirty or anything but it looked like it hurt.”
On if he expects to start next week: “I have no idea. I mean, for me, as I’ve been anywhere on this journey of the NFL I’ve always prepared like a starter. So if they need me I’ll be ready.”
On if he has talked to QB Matthew Stafford since he left the game: “Yeah, I have no idea. You guys have to wait. He didn’t say anything, he just literally got back.”
On what it is like as a quarterback playing with rib injuries: “I haven’t, but I know for a fact that when you try to throw a football and your hip and shoulder association, and your torque comes from your midsection, and your ribs are in your midsection, so you can imagine the kind of pain that it would cause.”
On the offense going three-and-out on their only drive of the third quarter: “Yeah, I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of something where, and me and Matthew were talking about this, where we only had three plays in the third quarter. That’s tough.
We put our defense in a tough spot. That’s really what we talked about. Just couldn’t convert on that third-and-six to Marvin (Jones Jr.) on a little in and out route. We ended up just putting our defense in a really bad spot honestly to be out there really the whole third quarter. “
LIONS T TAYLOR DECKER POST-GAME QUOTE SHEET (VIA ZOOM)
On if he had a chance to talk to QB Matthew Stafford postgame: “Yeah, yeah I did. Obviously, they’ll probably take a look at it. I don’t know exactly what it is. He got twisted, twisted somehow when he slid. Obviously, we know (No.) 9 is a warrior. He’ll battle through a lot. He’ll push through a lot of pain. So, you know if he can’t go, then it’s really because he can’t. Obviously, the team will take a look at it, but that’s – the medical stuff? Not really my thing.”
On if there was something they were trying to do offensively to help the short-handed defense: “Simple answer: Just stay on the field. Stay on the field, sustain drives, wear their defense down to give our defense, one, a breather, because we know they have a very dynamic offense on the other side of the ball. So, in the third quarter, us not being able to not stay on the field was killer because – what did we have? Three plays in the whole quarter? We were still able to make it a one-score game late and try to give us a chance, but at the end of the day, I think the thing that was pretty good to see today was the guys just kept fighting, the guys
sustained energy and there was always the belief. That’s the one thing you always want to see, and that’s the one thing I think this team has always done – no matter what, we’re going to believe, and we’re going to keep fighting.”
On if there is solace knowing the team still had a will to fight despite losing in the end: “I think at the end of the day, it’s about wins. So, we needed to make more plays to win that game. We knew it was going to be a tough opponent. We knew it was going to be a 60-minute game. We believed that we have the pieces and the guys in our locker room to be able to compete with anybody.
But at the end of the day, it’s all about wins. There’s no moral victory there. There were positives, there were good things to see, but at the end of the day, it’s about wins, and we didn’t get it done. So, we have to make more plays to be able to get those wins.”
LIONS S DURON HARMON POST-GAME QUOTE SHEET (VIA ZOOM)
On playing against Packers QB Aaron Rodgers without DE Everson Griffen: “It’s tough. The energy that he brings, the effort that he plays with, I mean obviously he’s a great player. It’s tough, but you know it’s the next man up. There’s never excuses. We had opportunities, but we couldn’t make the plays that we needed to at the crucial parts of the game.”
On the fight that the defense showed today: “One thing I know about this group is that we are fighters. We are never going to just quit, (inaudible). We’ve seen that. We all wish we could have those two drives back after the start of the third quarter, but we kept fighting. We made it hard on them, we’ve just got to make it a little bit harder. That’s a great team, obviously. They’re leading the division, they won the division today I believe. It’s a great team. We knew that. So, hats off to them.”
On the challenge of going up against the Packers offense: “I mean, like I said, that’s an elite offense. They have, you know, a hall of fame quarterback, great skill players. It’s tough. We put ourselves in some good spots early, and then we put ourselves in some not so good spots, especially after the start of the third quarter. So, we battled with them, obviously they did. They made more plays than we made, that’s why they won. But we were competing. We were fighting hard. Like, I said that’s an elite offense. The best offense statistically in the League.”
LIONS WR MARVIN JONES JR. POST-GAME QUOTE SHEET (VIA ZOOM)
On his catch that was called incomplete near the one-yard line: “Well, I knew I had it. Once I caught the ball, obviously when I caught the ball my feet were down, so when I got up and he said it was incomplete, yeah, it threw me for a loop. Especially when I saw it on the big screen, I mean, both of my feet were down when the ball was in my hand. You know, I don’t know if I can say too much without getting in trouble or something like that, but I definitely think it was a catch. I was actually mic’d up and there were a couple of refs that thought it was a catch, too, so I’ll just leave it at that.”
On the difficulty of moving on after a play like that is called against you: “Well it’s not very difficult, it’s just, I think when something like that happens you get more motivated to make another catch. Right when that happened and they took that away I went ‘Shoot, I want to get something again’. So, you know, you just have to put it behind you because it is what it is, you can’t change it. They’ll probably look at it and holler at coach tomorrow and tell the truth, but it is what it is. You just get back and try and make the next play.”
On QB Matthew Stafford’s toughness: “I mean, everybody in the world knows how tough 9 is. I probably don’t know anyone who is tougher than him, so definitely. Definitely knew he wanted to finish the game, but hey, it is what it is, and we just have to move forward. He’s an iron man there’s no doubt about that.”
