The Green Bay Packers were firing on all cylinders on Sunday, putting together a dominant performance to defeat the rival Detroit Lions 27-13. The result was heavily bolstered by a stellar showing from the Packers’ new D-Line, which was proficient in disrupting both the run and pass games in route to victory.
In the Trenches
The Green Bay Packers’ new D-Line has been examined under a microscope since Kenny Clark was shipped to Dallas as part of the deal for Micah Parsons a little over a week ago. In response, the group’s week one performance certainly made a statement.
Defensive tackle Colby Wooden wasn’t shy when talking to the media postgame. He commented on the scrutiny faced by the Packers’ run defense, stating that they “made it [their] mission to stop the run” following the “disrespectful” assumptions that the opponent would take advantage.
As it turns out, that goal was more than achieved. Detroit had a -0.28 EPA per rush in the contest. That means that the Lions often decreased their own chances of victory when they handed the ball off.
Wooden himself had a lot to do with that. He put up a career-high six tackles, including two of the team’s nine tackles for loss.
In addition, the Green Bay Packers’ new D-Line also saw significant contributions from Edgerrin Cooper while defending the run. Cooper was everywhere on the field, posting a career-high twelve tackles and picking up where he left off following an impressive rookie campaign.
By the end of the game, the often fearsome tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery had for rushed for only 44 yards combined. As a team, Detroit rushed for only 46 yards. That, by all accounts, was a massive feat. It was the first time since January 9th, 2022 that the Packers held the Lions to under even a hundred rushing yards in a game.
Turning Up the Heat
To complement an impressive effort to stop the Lions’ backs, the Packers new D-Line also produced in the realm of pass rush.
Producing a total of nine quarterback hits and four sacks, Green Bay was able to pressure Detroit quarterback Jared Goff consistently throughout the game.
The sacks came courtesy of multiple players, including Rashan Gary, Micah Parsons, Devonte Wyatt, and Lukas Van Ness.
Gary’s one and a half sacks were his most in a game since November 11th, 2023, against these same Detroit Lions, while Wyatt and Van Ness’ seemed to build more recent performance.
Wyatt was second on the team with five sacks last year, and continued production could earn him a second contract. Van Ness, on the other hand, looks to finally break out after a promising camp.
Parsons, of course, recorded his first sack in the Green and Gold, as well as the pressure that led to Evan Williams’ key redzone interception.
Establishing a New Identity
With their commanding win over the Detroit Lions, the Green Bay Packers won their first home game of the year for the thirteenth season in a row. That streak ties the Miami Dolphins (from 1976 to 1988) for the longest in NFL history.
The run continues in part due to the new Packers’ D-Line executing their gameplan to near perfection, all without their longtime leader, Kenny Clark.
As the 2025 season takes shape, the group will be tasked with developing a new identity, which could make or break the team’s championship hopes.
If they can continue to play with the motor they displayed against the Lions, the future looks incredibly bright.
For more commentary on yesterday’s game, you can read my fellow Packers Talk writer Kaylie Wittwer‘s piece here!
The post Tone Setters: Studying a Stellar Showing from the Packers’ New D-Line first appeared on PackersTalk.com Blog Posts and Podcasts.