Butler makes key play in Lions’ win over Packers

Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) recovers a fumble after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field.

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Jerryd Bayless scored 17 points and held LeBron James scoreless over the final 3:15 of the second overtime, and the Milwaukee Bucks beat Cleveland 108-105 Saturday night.

For context, here’s what the Lions losing streak looks like when charted.

Either way, for the first time in Green Bay’s Favre/Rodgers era, the Lions had finally won in Wisconsin.

Instead, the team that arrived at Lambeau Field with a 1-7 record and a slew of in-house changes compiled an impressive scoring drive that zapped the energy, at least temporarily, from a record crowd. The loss of DeAndre Levy (hip), whom Aaron Rodgers called “one of the most underrated players in the league”, was equally crippling.

Bottom line, play this guy! After the game against the Chargers, the Packers suffered their worst loss of the season against the Denver Broncos.

“Our fans deserve a winning football team and we will do everything possible to make it a reality”, said owner Martha Ford.

The Packer offense could get a much-needed boost in momentum against the Lions, who allow the third-most rush yards per game (133.8) and the most points in the league (30.6).

CORNERED: The Packers’ porous pass defense over the last three weeks has in part been due to injuries in the secondary. Lacy practiced on a limited basis this week after McCarthy announced James Starks is the team’s No. 1 running back.

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Packers are 11.5-point home favorites after opening as 13-point favorites versus the Lions.

This week the game is going to rest on the shoulders of Aaron Rodgers.

Sounds a lot like Warner’s prescient comments from September 2014, when the Packers were suffering from a similar strain of predictability and Rodgers told the football world to R-E-L-A-X. I predict a 350-yard, 4-touchdown day for the 2-time NFL MVP. The Packers will win this one easy. Packers 42, Lions 17. “We limited the big plays, and they just got one at the end that put them in position”. A healthy Joique Bell had his best game of the season in the last outing which was encouraging.

Either way, professionals are professionals, and Matt Stafford and Co. will look to continue to exploit a struggling Packers secondary. “We did a great job, our defense played great, and we made enough plays late in the game to win it and that’s what it’s all about”.