NFL Thursday night: Detroit dominates Packers at Lambeau

Former New Hope High School and Auburn standout Rudy Ford intercepted a pass on Detroit’s third snap of the game, but the Lions rebounded to score on their next four possessions to grab a 21-point lead on their way to a 34-20 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.

Detroit finished the first half with more points than the Packers had yards. Green Bay trailed 27-3 after its offense netted 21 yards in the first two quarters of the NFC North contest.

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The Packers got within 10 in the fourth quarter before Lions running back David Montgomery scored his third touchdown of the game.

On the losing side in all eight of his games against Green Bay as a member of the Chicago Bears over the previous four seasons, Montgomery gained 121 yards on 32 rushing attempts at Lambeau Field on Thursday night. Montgomery had missed Detroit’s 20-6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday because of a thigh contusion.

The Lions’ rookie nickel back from Alabama, Brian Branch led Detroit with seven tackles and broke up a pass even though he left the game twice with injuries.

In the third quarter, Branch limped off the field to the bench and was carted to the locker room. But he returned on his feet and went back into the game after getting his ankle taped. Branch left the game for good after making a tackle with 4:18 to play.

Detroit coach Dan Campbell said Branch aggravated the ankle injury that he had suffered earlier in the game.

“Obviously, it was good news that he was able to come back out there,” Campbell said.

Ten players from Alabama high schools and colleges were involved in the Detroit-Green Bay game:

· Lions defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs (Alabama) recorded the second sack of his NFL career when he took down Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love in the first half. Gibbs had his other sack last season against the Minnesota Vikings’ Kirk Cousins.

· Packers kicker Anders Carlson (Auburn) made both of his kicks, connecting for a 34-yard field goal for the game’s first points with 11:59 left in the first quarter and a 50-yard field goal for the final points with 2:52 remaining. Green Bay went for 2 after both its touchdowns.

· Packers wide receiver Grant DuBose (Park Crossing) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· Rudy Ford (New Hope, Auburn) started at safety for the Packers. In addition to registering the fifth interception of his NFL career, which included a 21-yard return, Ford made eight tackles on Thursday night.

· Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama) ran for 40 yards on eight carries and caught four passes for 11 yards.

· Lions defensive tackle Brodric Martin (Northridge, North Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· Packers offensive tackle Kadeem Telfort (UAB) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (Alabama) is on reserve/suspended by the commissioner. Williams must sit out the first six games of the season for violating the NFL gambling policy.

· Packers defensive tackle Colby Wooden (Auburn) made four tackles, recorded a tackle for loss and registered a quarterback hit in his fourth NFL game.

Detroit (3-1) hosts the Carolina Panthers at noon CDT Oct. 8. Green Bay (2-2) visits the Las Vegas Raiders at 7:15 p.m. Oct. 9 in the Week 5 Monday night game.

Green Bay Packers safety Rudy Ford runs with the football after intercepting a pass during an NFL game against the Detroit Lions on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.(AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs carries the football during an NFL against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.(AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.