Aaron Rodgers wanted Allen Lazard on the field, and Lazard wanted Rodgers to throw him the ball.

Even with Davante Adams already out for a second straight game with turf toe and Geronimo Allison knocked out of the game with a head and chest injury, the Packers still didn't immediately turn to Lazard.

"I may have put in a good word there in the fourth quarter to get him some opportunities," Rodgers said.

The story said it wasn't until after rookie receiver Darrius Shepherd dropped a pass at the Lions' 1-yard line -- it actually ricocheted off his face mask and was intercepted -- that the Packers finally went to the relatively unknown 6-foot-5 receiver. Lazard ended with a line of 4-65-1. With the injuries to Adams and Allison, Lazard has a chance to stick and is worth a pickup, but will likely be a hot commodity.

A few weeks ago, Ron Rivera said it was Cam Newton's job when he returned, but the ninth-year coach wasn't ready to discuss hypotheticals after Carolina's latest win.

"Quite honestly, I don't answer the question," Rivera said. "I'm not going to worry, speculate on anything until I have to address that. Until then, we're going to stay in the now, focus on what we're doing right now. Again, as far as I'm concerned, we're just not going to deal with the question until it's time. ... (Newton) is in his rehab program, doing his program. Our quarterback right now that has been playing for us is Kyle Allen. We're not going to address it."

Even Rivera probably didn't expect Allen to come in and proceed to win every game thus far. The Panthers have a bye this week and it was thought Newton would return after that. Rivera said Newton wouldn't play until he was 100% healthy.