David Montgomery scores three touchdowns for the Lions against the Packers, as Detroit defeats their NFC North opponents on the road.

263 days ago, the Detroit Lions effectively put an end to Aaron Rodgers' tenure in Green Bay. In a resounding 34-20 victory for the visiting team on Thursday night, Dan Campbell's squad gave Rodgers' replacement, Jordan Love, a loss in his first start in prime time.

The Lions dominated the Packers for the majority of the first half after conceding an early field goal, leading 27-3 at halftime. Love helped the Packers reduce their deficit to 10 points after the start of the second half with back-to-back scoring drives, four days after leading Green Bay to a comeback victory over the Saints in Week 3. However, the Lions came back with a goal-scoring drive that ended the game, bringing their record to 3-1 and giving them sole ownership of first place in the NFC North. The Packers, who dropped to 2-2, suffered their fourth straight loss to the Lions.

Jared Goff, the quarterback for the Lions, had a strong day. He recovered from an early interception by Amon-Ra St. Brown with a touchdown pass midway through the first quarter. On 32 runs, running back David Montgomery gained over 121 yards and three touchdowns, while the Lions' defense was spearheaded by defensive end Aidan Hutchinson's 1.5 sacks.

The Packers had a historically poor night as their halftime deficit was the third-largest at Lambeau Field and the longest since 2006. Green Bay was outgained 284-20 in the opening half of the game and had 12 less first downs than Detroit. Love, who threw two interceptions and was sacked five times, had an especially difficult night.

Here is a closer examination of what transpired in Lambeau.

why the Lions prevailed

The Packers were never within two points of Detroit in the second half despite Detroit dominating the first half. The pass rush of the Lions, their powerful rushing offense, and numerous crucial third-down completions from Goff—who is 11-3 in his last 14 starts—all contributed to the team's substantial advantage.

In the second half, the Packers delivered their strongest blows, but the Lions countered and dashed any chances of a comeback with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that ate up almost nine minutes of the clock. Montgomery's third touchdown run of the evening capped off the drive.

why the Packers fell short

The Packers did anything but play complimentary football as the Lions did. Green Bay's understaffed offensive line, which was missing mainstays David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins, allowed four sacks in the first half while putting Love in a difficult situation. Additionally, the running game, which managed just 27 yards on 12 attempts, offered no assistance to Love. The Packers' defense, on the other hand, allowed 211 yards on just 43 carries.

In the first half, Green Bay's defense also gave up a number of significant third downs. Many of those conversions resulted in significant gains and Lions points. For instance, one play after Goff connected with tight end Sam LaPorta for 35 yards on a third-and-five play, Detroit scored its first touchdown.

pivotal moment

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Packers drove to the Green Bay 12-yard line, forcing the Lions to settle for a field goal as they trailed the game, 27-17. But when Packers defender Quay Walker was flagged during Riley Patterson's field goal attempt, the Lions were given a first down. Four plays later, Detroit scored on Montgomery's third touchdown run of the evening to make the score 34-17. The Packers' attempt to rally was all but destroyed by the touchdown.

Walker had a 19-tackle night, including 10 solo stops, but the penalty overshadowed it.

During the game

The Lions' dominance in the first half was typified by wideout Kalif Raymond's 40-yard run. A crucial block was made by Goff, who has seen a career revival in Detroit, on the huge play.

Takes the toss and activates the jets for #DETvsGB on Prime Video.

Likewise accessible on #NFLPlus https://t.co/zUoTWf7h2y Picture taken at: https://t.co/pxHtF3LVns

Quotable

"Aaron Rodgers kicked our ass every year, and I grew up with that. Being on the winning team is satisfying. Aaron has left the department. Although life is currently nice, we will continue to work. -- Hutchinson, a native of Michigan, stated in his post-game Amazon interview.

It's incredibly awkward and humbling. When asked to summarize the Packers' first half during the broadcast, Packers coach Matt LaFleur responded as follows.

Next steps

The Packers don't play again until Monday, Oct. 9, when they travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders. Green Bay's final game before their break will be that one.

Detroit will play again against the Panthers the following Sunday. It will be the Lions' only home game in a four-week span that also includes their matchup against Green Bay on Thursday.