The Detroit Lions clinched a playoff spot by defeating the Green Bay Packers 34-31, thanks to Jared Goff’s three touchdown passes and Jake Bates’ clutch 35-yard field goal as time expired. This thrilling victory on Thursday night showcased the Lions’ determination and skill on the field.
With this win, the NFC-leading Lions (12-1) achieved a franchise record by securing their 11th consecutive victory, including two against their rivals, the Packers (9-4). They continue to hold a strong lead over the Minnesota Vikings (10-2) in the fiercely contested NFC North division.
Head coach Dan Campbell’s bold strategy was evident as he opted for fourth down conversions five times throughout the game. His gamble on a crucial fourth-and-one at the Green Bay 21-yard line with just 43 seconds left paid off, with only one of those attempts resulting in failure.
In a moment of near mishap, David Montgomery managed to gain 7 yards after Goff stumbled during the handoff. This play was pivotal as it allowed the Lions to set up for a field goal without giving the Packers a chance to regain possession. Bates capitalized on this opportunity, marking his third game-winning kick of the season.
Goff demonstrated his prowess by throwing two touchdown passes on fourth-and-goal situations, including a key connection with Tim Patrick, who finished the night with two touchdown receptions. However, Goff’s performance was not without its challenges, as he also threw an interception in the third quarter that set the stage for one of Josh Jacobs’ impressive three touchdown runs.
Before halftime, Goff found Jahymr Gibbs in the end zone for a critical 2-yard touchdown pass on another fourth down, giving Detroit a 17-7 lead. Later, he connected with Patrick again for a decisive 1-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
Green Bay capitalized on one of Campbell’s rare miscalculations, successfully stopping Gibbs on a fourth-down run late in the third quarter from the Detroit 31-yard line. This defensive stand allowed Jacobs to score his third touchdown on a 3-yard run shortly thereafter.
Brandon McManus tied the game at 31-all with a 32-yard field goal with just 3:38 remaining, capping off a second half that featured four lead changes and intense back-and-forth action.
The Lions’ final drive was marked by Goff’s 19-yard pass to Jameson Williams, followed by a 16-yard completion to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Goff concluded the game with an impressive 32 completions on 41 attempts for 283 yards, with six Lions players recording at least five receptions each.
On the other side, Jordan Love completed 12 of 20 passes for 206 yards, including a touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft early in the third quarter, showcasing his potential as a quarterback.
Injuries
In the injury department, the Packers saw safety Evan Williams (concussion), safety Javon Bullard (ankle), and defensive end Lukas Van Ness (thumb) all leave the game due to injuries.
For the Lions, defensive lineman Alim McNeill briefly exited with a head injury after being evaluated for a concussion but returned to the field shortly after.
Up next
Looking ahead, the Packers will face the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks in a Sunday night matchup on December 15. Meanwhile, the Lions will host the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills on the same day, promising another exciting week of football.
