Detroit Lions Clinch Playoffs Beating Packers 34-31
The Detroit Lions were the host to their NFC North division rival Green Bay Packers. The Lions entered the game with an NFC-best 11-1 record, looking to be the first team to clinch a playoff berth. Detroit was again looking to bring out the cheese graters and try to sweep the Pack. Dan Campbell came in as the winner of 5 of his last 6 games against Green Bay. Would the Lions extend their winning streak to 11? Were Detroit’s injuries too much to overcome vs a hot Packer team? Would Jared Goff improve his MVP odds and show out again in primetime?
Lions Control 1st Half
The game began with Detroit receiving the ball. Jared Goff found receiver and favorite target Amon-Ra St. Brown multiple times for big first downs. The Packers had a critical illegal contact penalty leading to a 1st and goal with David Montgomery “knuckling” his way in for a 4-yard touchdown run. Za’Darius Smith greeted his former team early with a sack on Jordan Love on the very first Packer offensive play. After a Christian Watson fumble, Lions Kicker Jake Bates was able to tack on a 43-yard field goal. Bates was recently named the NFC Special Teams Player for November, becoming the third kicker in team history to win the award after Matt Prater and Jason Hanson.
Green Bay drove down the field, covering 70 yards on 11 plays. After a league-leading 11th defensive pass interference penalty on Terrrion Arnold, the Packers were set up a first and goal from the 1, where Josh Jacobs was able to punch it in, making it 10-7 Detroit. The Lions would answer right back with a five-minute drive to drain the clock down, scoring a touchdown with 11 seconds left in the half. Goff connected with Jahmyr Gibbs on a 4th and goal on a 2-yard touchdown pass on a beautiful route by “Sonic.” They would lead 17-7 at half.
Lions and Packers Have Back-and-Forth 2nd Half
The second half would start with the Green Bay Packers receiving the ball with the announcement that Lions Defensive Tackle Alim McNeill would not return due to a non-concussion head injury. Watson would start the half redeeming himself from an earlier fumble with a 59-yard reception, setting up great field position for the Pack. Tucker Kraft would catch a 12-yard Jordan Love pass for a touchdown, cutting into Detroit’s lead.
Jared Goff would then be intercepted by Keisean Nixon on the first pass of the team’s first possession of the second half. This would be Nixon’s first interception of the season setting up the Packers with great field position. Jacobs would cap off the drive with his 2nd touchdown of the game. This was an entertaining back-and-forth second half, with both teams trading leads. Goff would throw his second touchdown, this time to Wide Receiver Tim Patrick. Patrick signed in the preseason as the Lions were looking to fill the gap as wide receiver 3. This was Patrick’s first touchdown as a Lion (and first since 2021), and it has been coming along surprisingly well.
Coach Dan Campbell’s aggressiveness late in the third quarter resulted in a rare backfire, going for it on 4th and 1 at their own 30-yard line. The Packers would end the third quarter with Tucker Kraft doing his best Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels’ kip-up impersonation.
On the second play of the fourth quarter, Jacobs would get his third touchdown of the night, taking a 28-24 Packer lead. Speaking of multiple touchdowns, Tim Patrick’s first one was so nice that he decided to do it twice! The second half was better than the first, continuing the two teams trading leads. With under four minutes remaining, the Lions would start their drive tied 31-31 after a 32-yard Brandon McManus Green Bay field goal.
Goff would hit on 13 straight passes, with Patrick and St. Brown coming up with key catches. Campbell hit on 16, when the dealer was showing a bust card, and gambled again, and it almost ended devastatingly. Goff tripped on 4th and inches, still able to hand the ball off to Montgomery for the 1st down. Detroit then ran the clock down to two seconds and hit a game-winning Jake Bates field goal to win 34-31!
Final Thoughts
What injuries? It didn’t faze these Lions! They continue to roll winning 11 in a row clinching the playoffs! It doesn’t matter who is playing, who is hurt, who they sign, the Lions are dominating the NFL right now. They simply find a way to win games. Dan Campbell no doubt should be NFL Coach of the Year. This team has more injuries than any other team in the league and they continue to find a way! Jared Goff deserves the chants! I feel bad for any team that has to play this team in the playoffs!
