The Green Bay Packers got three rushing touchdowns from running back Josh Jacobs, including two go-ahead scores in the second half, but Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions made big plays late in the game and escaped with a 34-31 victory on Jake Bates’ 35-yard field goal as time expired.
The loss snapped the Packers’ three-game win streak, while the Lions ran their win streak to 11 games and improved their record to 12-1. At 9-4, the Packers are essentially out of the running in the NFC North.
Here is an instant analysis of the Packers’ loss to the Lions in Week 14:
Final score: Lions 34, Packers 31
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| GB (9-4) | 0 | 7 | 14 | 10 | 31 |
| DET (12-1) | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
Live scoring
First quarter
DET 7, GB 0: David Montgomery 3-yard run (9:41)
Second quarter
DET 10, GB 0: Jake Bates 43-yard field goal (13:01)
DET 10, GB 7: Josh Jacobs 1-yard run (5:35)
DET 17, GB 7: Jahmyr Gibbs 2-yard catch (0:11)
Third quarter
DET 17, GB 14: Tucker Kraft 12-yard catch (13:15)
GB 21, DET 17: Josh Jacobs 6-yard run (11:15)
DET 24, GB 21: Tim Patrick 3-yard catch (5:02)
Fourth quarter
GB 28, DET 24: Josh Jacobs 4-yard run (14:20)
DET 31, GB 28: Tim Patrick 1-yard pass (8:39)
GB 31, DET 31: Brandon McManus 32-yard field goal (3:38)
DET 34, GB 31: Jake Bates 35-yard field goal (0:00)
It was over when…
… Jared Goff tripped while handing off to David Montgomery on fourth down with under a minute to go, but Montgomery still got the ball and ripped off a 7-yard run to help set up Bates’ chip-shot field goal with no time left. The gutsy call from Dan Campbell paid off.
Game balls
Offense — RB Josh Jacobs: He managed only 66 total rushing yards, but he scored three times, including a pair in the second half as the Packers made a run to the lead.
Defense — DL Kenny Clark: The team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee produced a season-high eight tackles, including several run stops.
Special teams — P Daniel Whelan: He placed two of his three punts inside the 20-yard line — one to the 9-yard line, and another to the 11.
Key stat
4-for-5: The Lions converted four of five opportunities on fourth down, including two for touchdowns on fourth-and-goal and the late conversion to set up the game-winning field goal. Campbell’s team consistently won in high leverage situations.
Deciding factor
Inability to cover a dig or screen: The Lions ripped through the Packers defense over and over on simple dig routes over the middle and well-timed or well-executed screen plays. Jared Goff completed 32 passes.
Jordan Love watch
He had only three completions for 32 yards in the first half as the Lions blitzed the Packers offense to death. But Love and the passing game caught fire in the second half, and Love finished completing 12 of 20 passes for 206 yards, one touchdown and zero turnovers. He hit Christian Watson for a 59-yarder, and both Tucker Kraft and Dontayvion Wicks had catches of 20 or more yards. Love’s passer rating was 111.7. He also scrambled for a season-high 23 yards, including a 14-yard scamper.
Play of the game
https://twitter.com/NFLonPrime/status/1864882805064249400
This might be the single most impressive play of Jordan Love’s career. He evaded a free rusher in his face and made a picture-perfect throw to Christian Watson despite getting hit as he threw the ball.
Injury updates
Defensive end Lukas Van Ness left briefly with a thumb injury but returned. Right guard Sean Rhyan exited for a few series but returned after halftime. Safety Evan Williams suffered a concussion. Cornerback Javon Bullard left with an ankle injury.
What’s next
A weekend of rest and recovery, and then a trip to Seattle to play the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks next Sunday night in primetime. The Seahawks play the Arizona Cardinals on the road this week.
NFC North update
The race is essentially over for the Packers, who are 9-4 and have three division losses, including two to the Lions. It’s time to start looking at potential wildcard matchups.
