Young Talent Fuels Detroit Lions' Streak-Ending Win in Green Bay

Former Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew is somewhere nodding silently to himself, secure in the knowledge that he made the 18-16 win over the Green Bay Packers happen.

"

Mason Crosby missed a 52-yard FG. The Lions have won in Green Bay for the first time since 1991.

— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) November 15, 2015"

Obviously, the Packers went down the path usually reserved for the Honolulu Blue, getting lost on their way to their normal victory party. And by the time Aaron Rodgers finally remembered who he was, it was too late.

We can, and probably will, debate which team played the larger role in the outcome. Both seemed more interested in securing a loss instead of locking up a win.

But there were three Lions drafted in the last two years—Mayhew's men, if you will—who deserve to be recognized, so let's give the devil his due and shine a light on a few young guns.

Ameer Abdullah

The second-round pick's offensive stat line won't impress anyone. He finished with just 22 yards on six touches, which qualified as the weakest output of Detroit's backfield trio.

Yet Abdullah will be remembered for making the pivotal play that sent a surge of belief through the Lions faithful:

"

AM⚡⚡R ABDULLAH: 104 yard return and oh-so-close to the house. #DETvsGB https://t.co/7r63NS42di

— NFL (@NFL) November 15, 2015"

That return set up the first of Detroit's improbable pair of touchdowns. At that point, the offense had totaled five plays in Green Bay territory while putting on a performance that rivaled any of the first eight in terms of ineptitude.

Detroit still took three plays to score from Green Bay's 1, but a touchdown to Brandon Pettigrew surprisingly gave the Lions a lead they would never relinquish.

Matt Ludtke/Associated Press

Nevin Lawson

Rodgers will take a lot of the blame for this loss, and some Packers fans will surely rail against the referees for swallowing their whistles too often. And some of that griping is legitimate considering the contact downfield.

Yet it's on the players to adjust. In this case, Nevin Lawson was the one who took to the game's style of play with gusto.

With Rashean Mathis on the IR due to a concussion, Lawson saw more snaps than at any other time in his career. Green Bay came in with the game plan to target him, but the second-year cornerback proved stickier than previously thought.

"

Rodgers is testing Nevin Lawson in a major way, and really, Lawson hasn't been so bad.

— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) November 15, 2015"

His rough style clearly taxed the Packers wide receivers mentally as they became more obsessed with getting flags than receptions. And he limited damage after the catch with seven tackles.

Unfortunately, it's unclear if he'll be back again next week; his day ended after he banged his head off of Green Bay tight end Richard Rodgers' back.

"

Lawson got hurt after having a career game. Has to be tough.

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) November 15, 2015"

Caraun Reid

In a trend that has bucked the rest of his team, Caraun Reid has been slowly building up steam. His strong play was again on display against Green Bay.

"

Caraun Reid sacks Rodgers on third down to force a punt as the first quarter comes to an end. #DETvsGB

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 15, 2015"

Aside from that sack, Reid also added four tackles and a tackle for a loss. There was also a batted pass that further frustrated Rodgers later.

This win isn't going to change the tenor of this season, but it did end of the more embarrassing streaks in all of sports. And these three young men played key roles in making it happen.