Playing without four of their top five linebackers, 13 defensive contributors and two other starters Thursday night, the risk-taking Detroit Lions found a way to overcome the visiting Green Bay Packers, 31-28, Thursday night at a sold-out Ford Field.
Benefitting from coach Dan Campbell’s gambling attitude, the Lions earned four fourth-down conversions in five attempts, including two Jared Goff touchdown passes. Boosted by Jake Bates’ 35-yard, game-winning field goal as time expired, the Lions (12-1) earned their franchise-best 11th straight win and clinched a spot in the NFC playoffs.
The Lions and Packers (9-4) exchanged the lead four times in the second half as the Lions’ defense attempted to hand on without nose tackle Alim McNeill and safety Brian Branch, both of whom were injured Thursday.
In the two wins over the Packers this season, Campbell called six successful fourth-down plays in seven tries. Four went for TDs.
X (Twitter) users replied to the Lions clinching consecutive playoff bids since the mid-1990s …
See you in the playoffs, Detroit! #OnePride pic.twitter.com/vM8CcSdire
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 6, 2024
At the start, Lions’ Za’Darius Smith displayed his fashion edge entering Ford Field. He would earn a sack on the Packers’ first offensive play …
It’s called fashion, look it up @zadariussmith pic.twitter.com/0uhsvVTWQu
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 5, 2024
Rapid rise. Two years ago, Goff was the quarterback no one wanted. Now, he’s the toast of Michigan and a potential Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award winner …
Jared Goff is the #Lions' nominee for this year's Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The honor recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities, as well as excellence on the field.
Congrats, @JaredGoff16! pic.twitter.com/K1LTRldWQH
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 5, 2024
Meanwhile, the Packers’ players gave Kenny Clark their nomination for the Walter Payton award …
Introducing Kenny Clark, our Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee!
📰: https://t.co/2yvZpPcMDy pic.twitter.com/ibtMlKiXeM
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 5, 2024
Interesting stat, entering Thursday night …
Games with 70+ Receiving Yards in 2024…
Amon-Ra St. Brown – 5
Jameson Williams – 5 pic.twitter.com/sLLXpPomgf— Underdog (@UnderdogFantasy) December 5, 2024
The Lions entered Week 14 without a league-high baker’s dozen of injured defenders …
Heading into tonight’s pivotal Packers-Lions game, no other NFL team has more than seven defensive players on injured reserve; Detroit has 13. pic.twitter.com/favlTFqueE
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 5, 2024
Lions Pro Bowl tackle Penei Sewell didn’t want to hear about the Lions being shorthanded …
All about us 😤
Delivered by @littlecaesars pic.twitter.com/AwLHt2NnZU
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 6, 2024
The Packers won the pre-game coin toss, but deferred. The Lions claimed possession and capped an 11-play, 70-yard drive with a David Montgomery 3-yard touchdown run, his 12th of the season. Tight end Sam LaPorta executed a prime cut-back block as the Lions claimed a 7-0 lead with 9:41 left …
#DetroitPeopleMovers paving the way for an opening-drive score @montgomerdavid 🙌#GBvsDET | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/e53xQ27shq
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 6, 2024
Grate joke: The Lions grated the cheesy defensive effort (ha ha ha) …
This dude snuck real cheese into the game pic.twitter.com/NCxL1omthq
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) December 6, 2024
Down 10-0 midway through the second quarter, the Packers utilized nine running plays during the 11-play scoring drive, capped by Josh Jacobs’ 1-yard TD plunge. The score was set up by rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold’s pass-interference call in the end zone one play earlier …
What else did you expect from Josh Jacobs?
Touchdown!
Pro Bowl vote 🗳️: https://t.co/JsfUV5geTn pic.twitter.com/6y1zZ9jFBu
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 6, 2024
On fourth down, Goff hit Jahmyr Gibbs on a 2-yard TD pass, extending their lead to 17-7 with 11 seconds remaining until halftime …
Filthy route @jahmyr_gibbs1 😈#GBvsDET | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/ghsGk4szHP
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 6, 2024
Like the Lions in the first half, the Packers opened the second half with a TD drive, going 70 yards on five plays. Tucker Kraft caught a 12-yard scoring pass from Jordan Love. The Packers’ QB had just three completions in the first half, but hit Christian Watson on a 59-yard pass to dismantle Detroit’s depleted defense 1:45 into the third quarter …
Some HEAT on that TD throw by Jordan Love!!! 👏
Packers make it a 3-point game!!!
(via @nfl)pic.twitter.com/cZnztubHia
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 6, 2024
Opps. Goff made a mistake on the Lions’ second second-half play, failing to look off Keisean Nixon, who returned the pick to the 16-yard line. It was the Lions’ MVP candidate’s first pickoff since throwing five in the Nov. 10 win over the host Houston Texans …
Oh, no, Goff… pic.twitter.com/D7ZyckUxRQ
— Mauricio Rodríguez (@MauNFL) December 6, 2024
In three minutes 45 seconds, the Packers, aided by Jacobs’ 6-yard TD run, erased a 10-halftime deficit …
FIGHTING INTO THE END ZONE!!! 🤯
Josh Jacobs’ second TD of the night gives the Packers the lead!!! pic.twitter.com/w2wjd6KXw3
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 6, 2024
On a well-designed, fourth-down, goal-line play, the Lions positioned Amon-Ra St. Brown in the backfield. The wide receiver drew the defense’s attention to the flat area, while Tim Patrick ran open on a curl route for a 3-yard score with 5:02 left in the third. Patrick’s first TD with the Lions helped them reclaim the lead, 24-21 …
The Lions find the end zone!! 🦁
Back and forth we go!!! pic.twitter.com/4wk8mm3fXn
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 6, 2024
Live the sword, right? After going 3-for-3 on fourth downs, the Lions went for it again on their 31-yard line and Gibbs was dropped for a yard loss. On a sweep call? Four plays later, Jacobs scored another TD, this one on a 4-yard run …
Not 1.
Not 2.
But TD No. 3 for Josh Jacobs!Pro Bowl vote 🗳️: https://t.co/JsfUV5geTn pic.twitter.com/fa2thKuoZm
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 6, 2024
After waiting three-plus years for a TD pass, Patrick didn’t wait long for another as the Lions took the lead back, 21-28, with 8:39 remaining …
Tim Patrick back for another one 🙌#GBvsDET | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/VcWpmBTSNg
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 6, 2024
After the Packers tied the score at 31-all with 3:38 remaining, Goff directed the Lions to an 11-play drive, resulting in Bates’ game-winning field goal. The drive was highlighted by Campbell calling another fourth-down play, aiming not to give Love any time. It worked and clinched a spot in the postseason …
IT'S GOOD! Jake Bates wins it for the @Lions! pic.twitter.com/AlQuMQlL6U
— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2024
Final score: Lions 34, Packers 31 …
🗣 Alexa, order another W#OnePride pic.twitter.com/Bg4WtrQKlN
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 6, 2024
