Studs and duds from the Lions' strong win over the Packers

In a rain-soaked showdown in Lambeau, the Detroit Lions secured a hard-fought 24-14 victory over their division rivals, the Green Bay Packers.

Division games always bring an extra layer of intensity, but facing the Packers in Lambeau adds even more fire. The Lions rose to the challenge and played to their strengths in the difficult weather conditions by relying heavily on their ground game. The Lions capitalized on the Packers' mistakes and earned their seventh win of the season, marking their third straight win in Green Bay territory.

Let's take a look at the Lions' studs and duds after this tough division triumph over the Packers.

Stud: Sonic and Knuckles

Given the harsh weather in Green Bay, it was no surprise that the Lions relied heavily on their running game and their dynamic duo delivered. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 28 carries, scoring 138 yards and a touchdown from Gibbs, demonstrating the versatility and power of Detroit's ground attack.

Credit also goes to the offensive line, which led the way with solid run blocking, allowing Montgomery and Gibbs to carve out tough yards, stretch the clock and ultimately put the game on ice.

Dud: Brian Branch

This is a game that Branch will likely take a close look at to learn some important lessons. On a clearly missed catch by Bo Melton, Branch lowered his head and made helmet-to-helmet contact rather than opting for a standard tackle, resulting in an unnecessary roughness penalty. The officials concluded that the hit warranted an ejection, which visibly frustrated Branch and resulted in another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Although the penalties were justified and the sending off was understandable, it was difficult to watch for fans and coaches alike. Here's hoping Branch bounces back and uses this experience to refine his approach.

Breeding stallion: Kerby Joseph

With Branch sidelined, Joseph took over as head of the secondary and delivered another outstanding performance. Just before halftime, he snagged a pass from Jordan Love that missed the goal, returned it for his first career pick-six, and gave the Lions a commanding 17-3 lead that they would hold for the rest of the game . Joseph is quietly developing into one of the league's top safeties by constantly either taking the ball away or breaking up plays before they have a chance to develop. His ability to secure the deep field significantly limits opposing offenses – a testament to his high-level play and instincts.

Dud: QB pressure

The Lions' defensive line has been weakened by injuries and illness, leaving them undermanned and vulnerable. This lack of depth was evident against the Packers, as Jordan Love often had plenty of time to check the field. Without several bad passes and inaccurate throws, the game could have possibly turned out very differently. Relying on limited pressure up front is risky because a quarterback will ultimately capitalize on overtime.

The Lions are hoping for reinforcements next week to strengthen the line and ease some of the pressure on their secondary.

Stud: Jack Campbell

Campbell is quietly becoming a standout player for the Lions, proving to be an increasingly effective linebacker and key leader on defense. Each week he demonstrates his growth in both playmaking and leadership, helping to propel a unit that faces limiting opponents. Campbell led the team with 13 tackles and consistently showed up wherever the ball was, either making the play himself or assisting.

Although his coverage skills were once viewed as a potential weakness, he continues to improve in this area and is reshaping his role as a reliable presence all over the field. Campbell is becoming a hidden force in Aaron Glenn's defense, and his trajectory only seems to be rising.

Stud: The Goff/St. Brown connection

It's hard to find a quarterback and wide receiver duo that mesh better than Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The chemistry between them is almost uncanny: the two completed an incredible 30 consecutive passes, including another touchdown today. Even Coach Campbell has expressed his admiration for the bond formed between them, calling it an important part of the Lions core. No matter the situation, Goff and St. Brown continue to prove that they can deliver when it matters most, making them one of the most reliable tandems in the league.

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Studs and duds from the Lions' strong win over the Packers