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TORONTO -- When the United States filled out its roster for the World Cup of Hockey, it looked heavy on grit and physicality and light on skill and scoring.That became reality in the Americans stunning 3-0 loss to unheralded Team Europe on Saturday in the World Cup opener. With offensive defenseman Dustin Byfuglien and 30-goal scorer Kyle Palmieri scratched, the U.S. struggled to generate quality scoring chances and finds itself in trouble one game into the tournament.It was just tough to score, winger Zach Parise said. There are guys that have different roles and different jobs on the team. Guys that play with grit, play hard -- but it was just tough to score for us tonight.Jaroslav Halak stopped all 35 shots he faced to earn the shutout for Team Europe, a mix of players from Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Norway, Denmark, France and Slovenia. Marian Gaborik, Leon Draisaitl and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored on U.S. goaltender Jonathan Quick, who made 14 saves.Despite the lopsided shot total and the Americans dominant puck possession, Europe was in control for most of the game because of major mistakes. Defenseman Ryan McDonagh made an ill-advised pinch to set up a 2-on-1 rush that led to Gaboriks goal, and Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane turned the puck over to give Europe a 2-on-0 rush that led to Draisaitls goal.You saw on a couple of our mistakes -- turnovers, pinching, giving them odd-man breaks -- they were able to capitalize, Kane said. On that second goal, Ill definitely take the fault on that one. Thats a play that Ive made a million times in my career. Just kind of lost the puck, and the next thing you know they go down 2 on 0. Thats unacceptable from me.It was an unacceptable performance for the U.S., which now has been shut out in three consecutive major international tournament games dating to the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Leaving skilled players such as?Tyler Johnson and Kyle Okposo off the roster sparked plenty of second-guessing of the U.S. management team, and that criticism wont slow down after losing to Team Europe.Defenseman Ryan Suter called Sochi a setback, and the first game of the World Cup wasnt a step forward.If you go back nine (international) periods where you dont get anything, its frustrating but weve had some looks along the way, captain Joe Pavelski said. We had the power plays, we had some chances, we had a few looks. Weve got to strike when we get those.The U.S. had a power-play goal disallowed when James van Riemsdyk was ruled to have intentionally directed the puck in with his chest. Coach John Tortorella believed it should have been a goal because the puck went off Derek Stepans helmet, but the NHL explained it had no bearing and the goal should not count.Tortorella defended his decision to sit Byfuglien and Palmieri, saying this was what the coaching staff believed was the best lineup. The result didnt prove that, and the top offensive players accepted responsibility for not being sharp enough.Europe coach Ralph Krueger knew his team had to play a perfect game to beat the U.S. Captain Anze Kopitar called this a boring game, but it got the job done; Europe made good on Kruegers pledge that the team was ready to look America in the eyes.That belief extended to the locker room, even if beating the U.S. looked shocking from the outside.From the outside, we got stamped up as the underdog here, Draisaitl said. I think we all understand that, but at the same time, we have some really good players on our team as well. A lot of experience. A big win for us.For Europe, it was a long way from blowout losses to the 23-and-under Team North America in exhibition play. Krueger emphasized that the Europeans werent satisfied to play one strong game.We didnt see ourselves as just a sideshow, ever, Krueger said. Weve come here to play nine periods and like everybody else we want to play next weekend.To advance to play next weekend in the semifinals, the U.S. must either beat favored Canada on Tuesday or hope for a miracle elsewhere in Group A. With only three games of round-robin play, a regulation loss is a significant blow.Weve put ourselves in a spot now were chasing, Tortorella said. Were chasing the tournament. Its a spot we didnt want to be in. Its a very dangerous spot, but we are here. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The timing is back for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the rest of Green Bays offense.The Packers pass defense might need a little work, though.Rodgers threw for 205 yards and four touchdowns, including two in the first half to Jordy Nelson, and the Packers snapped out of their offensive funk before holding off the Detroit Lions for a 34-27 win Sunday.Rodgers was 15 of 24, leading the Packers to touchdowns on their first three series. Nelson had 101 yards on six catches, returning to the form that made him one of the NFLs best receivers before missing the 2015 season with a knee injury.Just got on the same page. Hitting Jordy for some big plays helps, Rodgers said. Jordy and I connected. Whenever were doing that, it kind of opens other things up for the offense.They moved the ball on the Lions short-handed defense with ease in the first half. The Packers (2-1) led 31-10 at halftime before the Lions slowly chipped away.Marvin Jones 35-yard touchdown catch with 3:34 left got Detroit (1-2) within seven. But Rodgers had a critical 11-yard run on third-and-8 from the Packers 27 with 3:22 left to effectively seal the win.Jones had a career-high 205 yards on six receptions. Matthew Stafford passed for 385 yards and three scores with one interception for the Lions, who held advantages in total yardage (418-324) and time of possession, holding the ball for 35 minutes.But the Packers burned the secondary with big plays to build a big lead, and Eddie Lacy ran for 103 yards on 17 carries.Obviously it was a difficult situation. We put ourselves in that situation. On offense, we didnt score enough points in the in the first half, Stafford said. Im proud of the guys for fighting back.PACK IS BACKSo much for the fuss over the Packers struggling offense.Coach Mike McCarthy and Rodgers heard questions about the out-of-sync passing game following the 17-14 loss last week to Minnesota.Now the Packers head into an early bye week with renewed confidence after a successful opener at Lambeau Field.Offensively the focus was to be a good, healthy mix of run and pass, so we accomplished that today, McCarthy said.SECOND-HALF SPURTThe Lions gained chunks of yardage in the second half after being forced to play catch-up following Green Bays big early lead. The Packers defense was also missing foour starters, including linebacker Clay Matthews.dddddddddddd.Stafford found holes over the middle of the field. He connected with Jones for a 23-yard completion on the first play from scrimmage in the second half to the Detroit 46.GET DEFENSIVEThe Packers allowed Detroit to convert on eight of 14 third-down tries, a problem that McCarthy planned to focus on during the bye week.But Green Bays staunch run defense had another big day, albeit against a Lions offense playing without injured tailback Ameer Abdullah. Detroit managed just 50 yards on 23 carries, with a team-high 38 yards on 10 carries by Dwayne Washington.The Packers also played without nose tackle Letroy Guion, safety Morgan Burnett and defensive lineman-linebacker Datone Jones, who were all out with injuries.JUST JONESJones gave the Lions a boost going into halftime with a 73-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to get Detroit within 31-10. He stiff-armed cornerback Josh Hawkins before sprinting untouched 45 yards into the end zone.I feel like what we did in the second half was to be commended, but obviously we didnt get it done, Jones said. The first half, we didnt play up to our standards and we came back and we fought, but we ran out of time and it wasnt enough.WORKING THE MIDDLEThe Packers offense accomplished two of McCarthys bigger goals for this week: Receivers worked the middle of the field, and Lacy got more carries in the running game.Nelson was lined up in the slot on his 8-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter, when Rodgers pump-faked, then stepped up in the pocket to find Nelson.Lacy looked rejuvenated as he bounced off defenders for a 23-yard run in the second quarter.INJURY REPORTLions: S Tavon Wilson left in the first quarter with a neck injury. It was another blow for a defense already without lineman Ezekiel Ansah and linebacker DeAndre Levy.Packers: TE Jared Cook went to the locker room with a right ankle injury after getting tangled up with a defender at 11:35 of the second quarter. ... FB Aaron Ripkowski did not return after going to the locker room near the end of the second quarter with a back injury.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '