Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions: Twitter Reaction and Full Postgame Quotes

The Detroit Lions defended the den successfully, vanquishing the visiting Green Bay Packers 19-7. The victory puts the Lions atop the NFC North at 2-1 with a divisional win in hand.

It was a hard-fought defensive struggle throughout, the sort of game expected from the 1960s and not the normally potent offenses of these two teams. 

Detroit struck first courtesy of a truly unexpected contributor:

"

Don Carey, in at nickel, scores TD for Lions on his second snap of the regular season. Fumble by Lacy, Carey returns 40 yards.

— Mike O'Hara (@MikeOHaraNFL) September 21, 2014"

Green Bay answered a few drives later with a beautiful touchdown strike from Aaron Rodgers to a heavily covered Andrew Quarless. 

Detroit struck next, once again thanks to the defense:

"

Safety! #GBvsDET https://t.co/krjof5Nie5

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 21, 2014"

The ensuing drive resulted in a Nate Freese field goal, and the score remained 12-7 well into the fourth quarter. 

Reggie Bush finally went into attack mode, and his decisiveness paid dividends:

"

Split-Zone on the Reggie Bush TD...Didn't even look for cutback lane. Pressed the edge immediately.

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) September 21, 2014"

That proved to be the final scoring play. Detroit's defense weathered a long Packers drive, not breaking when bent by Rodgers, who finally found a bit of rhythm. 

Detroit's defense was outstanding. They continually flustered Rodgers and put the kibosh on Green Bay's normally explosive offense:

"

Aaron Rodgers threw for just 162 yards, or his second worst total in a game he's started and finished (142 v. MIN in 2008).

— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) September 21, 2014"

It was a historic win for the Lions, accomplishing something for the first time in the 21st century:

"

The last time the Lions beat Green Bay in back-to-back home games was in 1999-2000.

— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) September 21, 2014"

One of the biggest developments is the injury to linebacker Stephen Tulloch. This was of the self-inflicted variety, celebrating a sack.

"

VIDEO: Lions’ Stephen Tulloch hurts himself while celebrating a sack of Aaron Rodgers http://t.co/P9hIWc2Nme pic.twitter.com/ZXtSgZgJol

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 21, 2014"

Coach Jim Caldwell did not elaborate on the severity of the injury after the game. He used the phrase "not quite certain" multiple times when questioned about Tulloch's status. 

For his part, Tulloch told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press: 

"

Stephen Tulloch said he'll have an MRI on his knee tomorrow. Says knee is "good" right now

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 21, 2014"

DeAndre Levy, who played a monster game, talked about covering for his fallen mate. He noted in a postgame interview with Tori Petry broadcast on the team's radio network, "the first couple of drives were a little confusing but you know, we have to do what we have to do." 

Levy talked about his safety as well, telling Petry, "I saw them check into a run and I just cocked back and went after it." He also credited defensive end Jason Jones for setting up his play by forcing the tight end several yards backwards into the end zone.

Leon Halip/Getty Images

In his postgame press conference, Caldwell lauded his defense for its strong play "despite being down a number of bodies." He called Detroit's game-sealing offensive drive "a tremendous effort to take over six minutes off the clock and keep the ball away from them." 

The head coach also noted Levy's great play, saying, "he was all over the field today." Caldwell talked about how seamlessly Levy took over the responsibility of wearing the defensive headset and making the calls. 

He also mentioned preventing big plays and "staying in front of the receivers." That mission was quite successful:

"

Packers didn't have a reception of more than 20-plus yards today. Wow. #GBvsDET

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) September 21, 2014"

Tom Leyden and Rob Rubick talked up the effective rushing attack in the official postgame show. Joique Bell chimed in about the importance of continuing to grind out yards early and sticking with it even when it didn't look all that impressive. 

Leyden smartly brought up a tough run by Theo Riddick that kept the clock running in the fourth quarter, noting his "refusing to go down without a big fight" and how it really kept momentum in Detroit's favor. 

The kicking situation remains a real issue, one Caldwell appears set to address:

"

Caldwell on Kicking situation: "We have to evaluate it." I expect a move this week.

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 21, 2014"

Freese missed another field goal and is clearly lacking confidence. The Lions worked out several kickers last week, and one could get the call as early as Monday. 

Detroit gets to watch next week's opponent on Monday, as the New York Jets face the Chicago Bears. The Lions travel to New York next Sunday and draw the Jets on a shortened work week for the home team.