Jake Bates kicked the winning field goal in the dying seconds as the gutsy Detroit Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers on ‘Thursday Night Football’.
On Thursday at Ford Field, the Lions dealt a wicked blow to their NFC North rivals by securing a 34-31 win over the Packers. The win ensured the Lions booked a trip to the playoffs and remain in pole position to win the division and host a postseason contest.
The Motor City faithful were treated to the full Dan Campbell-era Lions experience against the Packers. Both David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs ran the ball hard and often, each scoring touchdowns while Campbell – true to form – frequently went for it on fourth down, converting four of five attempts. The sole failure came on their own 30.
Ultimately, while Jared Goff completed 32-of-41 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Lions to victory, the game went down to the wire. On fourth-and-short in the final minute, shortly after Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a crucial gain, Campbell went for it.
Upon snapping the ball, Goff was tripped by one of his offensive linemen as he handed the ball off to Montgomery. But the running back still moved the chains to set up the winning field goal by Jake Bates.
The Lions took control of the fiery contest early, with Montgomery and a field goal giving the home team a 10-0 lead before the Packers got on the board through a Josh Jacobs goalline plunge. However, Detroit stormed downfield and entered halftime with their 10-point lead intact as Gibbs hauled in a two-yard touchdown pass from Goff.
However, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur ensured his team came out of the break swinging. Standout tight end Tucker Kraft scored on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Love to reduce the deficit before Goff was intercepted by cornerback Keisean Nixon.
Armed with elite field position, Jacobs scored his second touchdown from six yards out to ensure the Packers led 21-17 just four minutes into the third quarter. From that moment on, the NFC North showdown turned into a slugfest reminiscent of the great heavyweight boxing showdowns.
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It was then the Lions turn to hit back, and Detroit did so as Goff found former Denver Broncos receiver Tim Patrick for a 3-yard touchdown – his first since 2021. Next, the Packers landed a haymaker as Jacobs burst into the end zone for his third touchdown of the day.
But Dan Campbell and the Lions kept coming. Facing fourth down on the Packers 1-yard line, Goff hit Patrick for his second touchdown of the game – and second touchdown of the season – as the receiver emerged as the surprise hero for Detroit.
The Packers tied the game through a Brandon McManus 32-yard field goal with 3:38 remaining, but it was too much time for the Lions offense. Detroit drove downfield and, thanks to some gutsy playcalling, delivered a franchise record 11th-straight win once Bates thumped his field goal through the uprights.
The 12-1 Lions take on the Buffalo Bills on the road in their next contest on Sunday, Dec. 15. Meanwhile, the 9-4 Packers travel to Lumen Field to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football next week.
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