NFC North Division CHAMPIONS! Packers win vs. Lions 31-24; Pack will face Giants Sunday at Lambeau
DETROIT -- About an hour before kickoff on Sunday, January 1st, the Green Bay Packers learned they're IN the playoffs with the Washington Redskins 19-10 loss vs. the New York Giants. The Packers faced the Detroit Lions at Ford Field Sunday night for the NFC North Division title.
Kickoff was set for 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
The following players will not play in Sunday night's game between the Packers and the Lions, according to Packers.com:
Green Bay Packers
6 QB Joe Callahan
18 WR Randall Cobb
28 CB Josh Hawkins
44 RB James Starks
68 T Kyle Murphy
73 C/G JC Tretter
91 LB Jayrone Elliott
Starting lineup changes: #88 Ty Montgomery will start at running back for Starks, #17 Davante Adams will start at wide receiver for Cobb, #63 Corey Linsley will start at center for Tretter.
Detroit Lions
14 QB Jake Rudock
16 WR Jace Billingsley
33 CB Alex Carter
46 FB Michael Burton
52 LB Antwione Williams
64 C Travis Swanson
71 T Riley Reiff
As play got underway in Detroit Sunday night, the Packers won the coin toss and opted to defer.
The Lions would start with the ball.
The Packers' defense forced a three-and-out -- and the Packers would take over for their first possession this game.
The Packers punted, the Lions punted, and then the Packers punted again.
The score was 0-0 at the end of the first quarter.
CLICK HERE for a first quarter recap via Packers.com.
Early in the second quarter, the Packers announced CB Damarious Randall was out of the game with a knee injury, and LB Joe Thomas was out with a back injury. Both were questionable to return.
Lions kicker Matt Prater early in the second attempted a 39-yard field goal -- but it was NO GOOD.
During their next possession, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers found Jared Cook for 11 yards and a first down. Then, Cook grabbed a 24-yard pass from Rodgers and the Packers were in Detroit territory.
The first Packers touchdown this game came courtesy Aaron Ripkowski -- who caught a seven-yard pass thrown by Aaron Rodgers for the TOUCHDOWN!
With the extra point, the Packers then led the Lions 7-0.
The Lions tied the game at 7 with five minutes left in the first half after a one-yard touchdown run by RB Zach Zenner.
Detroit would start with the ball at its own 31 yard line ahead of the two-minute warning.
Ahead of halftime, the Packers announced Damarious Randall was back in the game.
The Lions were able to score a touchdown just before halftime -- with a three-yard toss from QB Matthew Stafford to Golden Tate.
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 1: Golden Tate #15 of the Detroit Lions cannot pull down the pass as the ball falls for an incomplete pass during first quarter action against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on January 1, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan (Photo by
With the extra point, the Lions led the Packers 14-7.
A 53-year field goal by Mason Crosby was GOOD -- and the score was Lions 14, Packers 10 at halftime.
CLICK HERE for a first half recap via Packers.com.
As the second half got underway, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers hit Geronimo Allison for 11 yards -- and the Packers were in the Lions' red zone after a 20-yard pass from Rodgers to Jordy Nelson.
The next Packers' touchdown came courtesy Davante Adams! It was his 11th touchdown of the year, the Packers said.
A three-yard pass from Rodgers to Adams helped the Packers retake the lead
With the extra point, the Packers then led the Lions 17-14.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 28: Davante Adams #17 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 28, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Im
The score was Packers 17, Lions 14 at the end of the third quarter.
Packers' CB Quinten Rollins was carted off the field as the third quarter came to an end. The Packers said Rollins suffered a neck injury.
The Packers announced early in the fourth quarter CB Makinton Dorleant was out of the game with a knee injury, questionable to return.
Damarious Randall suffered a knee injury as well, and was questionable to return.
CLICK HERE for a third quarter recap via Packers.com.
The Packers' next touchdown came courtesy Geronimo Allison -- who dove to make the catch!
The Packers then led the Lions 23-14 early in the fourth quarter.
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 30: Geronimo Allison #81 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates his touchdown reception from Aaron Rodgers #12 against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 30, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
The Lions quickly answered the Packers touchdown with a 54-year field goal by Matt Prater.
The score was then Packers 23, Lions 17 with 7:42 remaining in the game.
Late in the fourth quarter, Packers' Davante Adams was able to pull down a pass from Aaron Rodgers for the Packers TOUCHDOWN! Adams motioned out of the backfield and caught the quick slant to convert the two-point try.
This touchdown marked 40 TD passes for Rodgers this season.
The score was then Packers 31, Lions 17.
With less than two minutes in the game, Packers' Micah Hyde was able to pick off Lions' QB Matthew Stafford for an interception!
But the Lions were able to score again -- with a touchdown catch by Anquan Boldin.
The score was then Packers 31, Lions 24 -- and the Green Bay Packers are NFC North Division CHAMPIONS!
With the Lions loss, the Packers will face the Giants Sunday, January 8th in a game you'll see ONLY ON FOX6!
Kickoff is set for 3:40 p.m.