6 Takeaways from Detroit Lions' 19-7 Win over Green Bay

The Detroit Lions improved to 2-1 with a dominant defensive outing, holding the Green Bay Packers to a sole touchdown in their 19-7 win over the visiting Packers. 

It was an eventful contest on a variety of fronts. From Detroit's newfound defensive prowess and resiliency to a late awakening by the running game to more issues in some areas that are supposed to be strengths, there is much to take away from this win. 

Here are six gleanings from the important divisional triumph, in no particular order. 

All statistics are from NFL.com.

The Injuries Continue to Mount

Detroit continues to struggle with injuries, especially on the defensive side of the ball. 

Already desperate for healthy bodies at cornerback, the Lions turned to backup safety Don Carey to man the nickelback role against Green Bay. 

Carey has missed the first two games with a hamstring injury, a malady he aggravated on his fumble return for a touchdown in the first quarter. He did not return, making him the latest on the slot corner casualty list:

"

#Lions nickelbacks who have gotten hurt this season: --Bill Bentley --Nevin Lawson --Cassius Vaughn --Don Carey

— Pride Of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) September 21, 2014"

Not long after Carey went down, Stephen Tulloch suffered one of the stupidest injuries you'll ever see. It's featured in the video above in all its resplendent ridiculousness. 

Former San Diego Chargers team doctor David Chao believes Tulloch tore his left ACL, though there is no official diagnosis yet. 

"

#DiscountDoubleCheck may cost @stephentulloch season. Appears to tear L knee ACL. MRI pending. @Lions @davebirkett http://t.co/3PQ2h1vAsh

— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) September 22, 2014"

If Tulloch is out for an extended time, the defensive depth chart takes a huge hit. He has never missed a game in his nine-year career. 

Right Tackle Is a Major Problem

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

The Lions had a spirited camp battle for the starting right tackle gig between LaAdrian Waddle and Corey Hilliard. Both players started at times last year, and Waddle shined as an undrafted rookie in 2013. 

Unfortunately, both got hurt in the opener against New York. Waddle strained his calf, while Hilliard suffered a Lisfranc injury that ended his season. Waddle has yet to return to practice.

In their stead, the Lions have turned to Garrett Reynolds and Cornelius Lucas. It has not gone well. 

They both struggled last week, though the Carolina game seemed tame compared to the issues the duo had with Green Bay. 

Reynolds started but got yanked. Lucas came in and wasn't any better. The pattern repeated later in the game as the coaching staff desperately tried to cobble together an effective combination up front. 

Waddle needs to return, pronto. However, it's not a given the rookie phenom can replicate his strong debut season. He was not that impressive in the preseason, as reflected in his pedestrian 0.6 grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required). 

The whole offensive line has not played up to snuff this season. Getting stability and competence at right tackle can only help. Neither Reynolds nor Lucas are the answer if Waddle remains on the shelf. 

DeAndre Levy Is a Star

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Linebacker DeAndre Levy broke out from relative obscurity a year ago when his six interceptions tied for second in the league and led all backers. Instead of resting on his laurels, Levy has upped his game in 2014.

He's now one of the most impactful linebackers in the NFL, and his impact was certainly felt by the Green Bay offense.

"

DeAndre Levy led all players with 10 tackles and added a safety and 2 pass breakups. #DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/ft9WFbrI1P

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

The safety was a huge play, coming just after Matthew Stafford threw a long interception. Detroit needed a spark, and Levy responded with quite the conflagration. 

When the Lions needed a stop late in the game, once again it was Levy who responded. Isolated in the slot on wideout Jordy Nelson, one of the most dangerous receivers in the league, Levy covered him like a blanket on a fourth-down effort. The results of his exceptional coverage are seen in the above photo. 

It's time for the 2009 third-round pick to get more national recognition. He was great last year but has taken his all-around game to another level in this young season. 

Some prominent national media are finally starting to take notice:

"

So impressed with DeAndre Levy of the Lions. Making plays everywhere.

— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) September 21, 2014"

If he keeps this up, it will be impossible to ignore Levy. 

Detroit Desperately Needs a New Kicker

USA TODAY Sports

Lions fans have been spoiled with great, reliable kicking over the years. Between Eddie Murray and Jason Hanson, the Lions were in excellent shape at the position for over 30 seasons.

Alas, since Hanson retired after the 2012 campaign, the place-kicking has gone from bad to worse.

Bad was veteran David Akers, once a worthy rival of Hanson's for NFC Pro Bowl berths but himself a victim of Father Time in his one season in Detroit.

Worse is seventh-round rookie Nate Freese, now 3-of-7 in the first three games, including one make and one miss against Green Bay. The miss was from 41 yards and never once ventured between the goal posts.

Freese was already on thin ice after two misses a week ago. Detroit brought in several kickers for workouts last week, and this week could—and should—result in a change. 

As Kyle Meinke of MLive notes:

"

It's a performance business, and Freese is not performing. At the time of his miss against Green Bay, he accounted for nearly as many misses from 40-49 yards (four) as the rest of the league combined (five). He already has more misses than David Akers had all of last season (three), when not counting blocked attempts.

"

It will surprise many if Freese makes the trip to New York to face the Jets next Sunday. 

The Secondary Played Awesome

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

Even with all the injuries, Detroit's oft-criticized secondary dominated the mighty Packers passing attack. 

The defensive front did a decent job pressuring Aaron Rodgers, who was not at his sharpest with several throws. Yet the Lions secondary shined.

"

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"

Tim Twentyman of the team's official website noted that "cornerbacks Rashean Mathis and Darius Slay deserve their Lions share."

Much of Rodgers' woes were caused by outstanding coverage from Detroit. Mathis and Slay did a great job of anticipating routes and keeping the plays in front of them. 

Slay's progress really stands out. He was already off to a solid start in the first two games:

"

Darius Slay has a @PFF coverage grade of +2.9 -- 9th among CBs. He’s had three passes defensed and only allowed a 40% completion rate #Lions

— Justin Simon (@justincsimon) September 19, 2014"

The second-year Mississippi State product really impressed in his biggest challenge to date in 2014, consistently blanketing a very good receiver in Nelson:

"

Quick question: How many times have you heard the name Jordy Nelson today? Darius Slay is good, guys. Really good.

— Dean Holden (@Dean_Holden) September 21, 2014"

Safeties Glover Quin and Isa Abdul-Quddus both played smartly. Rodgers never got a look at anyone breaking free on crossing routes or getting behind the coverage, and that is a credit to the safeties. Keep in mind Abdul-Quddus is only playing because of yet another defensive injury to starter James Ihedigbo. 

It seems unthinkable for the Lions to have even a competent secondary, let alone a shutdown group. Against Green Bay, they shut down one of the most prolific passing attacks in the league. 

The Lions Learned How to Put Away a Game

Leon Halip/Getty Images

A major issue in 2013 was the chronic inability of the Lions to close out victories. They held fourth-quarter leads in each and every loss in their plummet from 6-3 to 7-9. 

It was understandable for Lions fans to feel nervous even though Detroit held a 19-7 lead with just under 11 minutes to go in the game. Green Bay got the ball and promptly began its most impressive drive of the game. 

Rodgers drove Green Bay to 1st-and-10 at the Detroit 25. Pulses quickened and throats tightened all over the Mitten State, where the loyal denizens have seen this horror movie before. 

The defense came up with a big stop, ending with Levy's outstanding coverage on Nelson. 

It was the offense's turn. The game was still in doubt with six minutes and 54 seconds left on the clock. Detroit's offense had sputtered most of the afternoon, though they did score a touchdown on the prior possession.

The situation called for a long, grinding drive. The clock was as much the enemy as the visitors from Wisconsin. Stafford and the offense delivered.

Green Bay never got the ball back. The Lions converted three third-down attempts, twice via the run to keep the clock ticking down. The game ended with Stafford taking three snaps in victory formation, a very welcome sight for the Ford Field faithful.

One year ago, the Lions were apt to blow this game. Not this year. Just as with the Giants in the opener, Detroit finished the game strong and secured the victory.