The Detroit Lions defense may be decimated by injuries, but coach Dan Campbell’s team proved it remains a Super Bowl contender after pulling out a 34-31 win over the rival Green Bay Packers on kicker Jake Bates’ last-second field goal.
The victory pushes Detroit’s franchise record winning streak to 11. The Lions are now 12-1 while the Packers fall to 9-4 on the season. Most importantly, Detroit has now officially booked a return trip to the playoffs after winning the NFC North last season.
Campbell had a chance to kick the game-winning field goal with nearly a minute remaining, but instead opted to attempt a fourth-down conversion at Green Bay’s 21-yard line. Remarkably, despite quarterback Jared Goff slipping as he handed the ball to running back David Montgomery, the Lions still managed to gain seven yards for the first down.
And just as importantly, the gutsy call allowed the Packers to kill the remainder of the clock, thereby denying Green Bay a chance to win the game with a Hail Mary pass.
The news wasn’t all good for the Lions, though, as defensive tackle Alim McNeil left the game with a head injury and was being evaluated for a concussion.
That would be a significant loss for a defense that has already seen pass rushers Aidan Hutchinson (broken leg) and Marcus Davenport (triceps), defensive tackle D.J. Reader (shoulder), as well as linebackers Alex Anzalone (forearm) and Malcolm Rodriguez (knee) go down this season.
The Lions defense may be decimated, but Dan Campbell’s team proved it remains a contender
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates after a touchdown catch
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) gestures before the start of Thursday’s game
Goff threw two touchdown passes on fourth-and-goal, one to Tim Patrick, who had two TD catches. He also threw an interception in the third quarter to set up one of Josh Jacobs’ career-high matching three TD runs.
Goff found Jahymr Gibbs open in the end zone for a 2-yard pass on a fourth down with 11 seconds left in the first half to put Detroit ahead 17-7.
Goff later connected with Patrick on a go-ahead, 1-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter.
Green Bay took advantage of the only time Campbell’s aggressiveness didn’t pan out, denying Gibbs on a fourth-down run late in the third quarter from the Detroit 31.
Jacobs scored for a third time on a 3-yard run on the ensuing drive.
Brandon McManus made a 32-yard field goal with 3:38 left to pull the Packers into a 31-all tie in a game that had four lead changes earlier in the second half.
The Lions’ final drive began with Goff’s 19-yard pass to Jameson Williams. He also connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for 16 yards on the decisive possession. Goff finished 32 of 41 for 283 yards, and six Lions players had at least five receptions.
Jordan Love was 12 of 20 for 206 yards with a touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft early in the third quarter.
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