Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker was one of the few bright spots on Thursday night, consuming a number of Detroit Lions’ ball carriers. However, Walker made another boneheaded penalty that put a major crimp in his team’s plans.
In a remarkable display of determination, the Packers managed to claw their way back into the game, steadily reducing the gap from a seemingly impossible 27-3 deficit at halftime to a much more manageable 27-17 score in the thrilling fourth quarter. In a valiant defensive effort, Green Bay allowed Detroit to embark on a lengthy offensive drive. However, the resilient Packers managed to prevent their opponents from reaching the end zone, forcing them to settle for a mere field goal. This strategic move effectively maintained a two-possession advantage for Green Bay, with a significant portion of the game still remaining.
Gene Gallin / Unsplash.com
In an unexpected turn of events, just as the tension was building up after a brief interruption, the officials made a crucial announcement. It was revealed that Walker, had been penalized for his daring yet unlawful act of leaping over the line. With the mistake made, Detroit was granted a valuable opportunity to gain a fresh set of downs within the 10-yard-line. They skillfully capitalized on this chance and converted it into a touchdown, effectively extending their lead by 17 points. This significant advantage now meant that they were ahead by three scores, putting them in a favourable position in the game. With that play, the Packers’ hopes of staging a miraculous comeback were all but extinguished.
“You have to be within one yard of the line of scrimmage. You cannot get a running start and do that,” coach Matt LaFleur noted of the penalty after the 34-20 loss. “It was bad. It was a bad deal.”
“I’m not going to sit here and blame Quay,” the coach said. “Obviously, we need to do a better job educating our players on what the rules are. Again, that’s on me.”
What happened with Walker’s punishment is important. Walker was thrown out of last year’s Week 18 game against Detroit because he hit a member of the Lions’ training staff who was trying to help a hurt player. That mistake was a big reason why the Packers lost and didn’t make the playoffs. Green Bay came back from being down two scores on Thursday, but we’ll never know if they could have finished the job. Walker’s penalty ended the game.
The shame was that Walker was playing well until the penalty. The second-year player had 19 tackles, some preventing Detroit from making a huge play. NFL Research says the 19 tackles are Green Bay’s most since 2000 and so far in 2023.
Thursday’s performance summed up Walker’s career. Linebackers have the potential to be dangerous playmakers, but other facets of the game appear to bite them.