Packers lose to Lions 34-31; Detroit clinches playoff spot
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 05: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter in the game at Ford Field on December 05, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, Mich. - Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes, Jake Bates made a 35-yard field goal as time expired and the Detroit Lions clinched a playoff spot with a 34-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.
The NFC-best Lions (12-1) broke a franchise record with their 11th straight win — including two over the Packers (9-4) — to stay ahead of Minnesota (10-2) in the highly competitive NFC North.
Detroit coach Dan Campbell went for it on fourth down five times, including with 1 yard to go at the Green Bay 21 with 43 seconds left, and his gambles backfired only once.
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David Montgomery ran for 7 yards, barely getting a handoff from Goff after the quarterback tripped and was falling toward the turf. That ensured the Lions could try a field goal without giving the Packers the ball back, and Bates hit his third-game winning kick this season.
Goff threw two touchdown passes on fourth-and-goal, one to Tim Patrick, who had two TD catches. He also threw an interception in the third quarter to set up one of Josh Jacobs’ career-high matching three TD runs.
Goff found Jahymr Gibbs open in the end zone for a 2-yard pass on a fourth down with 11 seconds left in the first half to put Detroit ahead 17-7.
Goff later connected with Patrick on a go-ahead, 1-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter.
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Green Bay took advantage of the only time Campbell’s aggressiveness didn’t pan out, denying Gibbs on a fourth-down run late in the third quarter from the Detroit 31.
Jacobs scored for a third time on a 3-yard run on the ensuing drive.
Brandon McManus made a 32-yard field goal with 3:38 left to pull the Packers into a 31-all tie in a game that had four lead changes earlier in the second half.
The Lions' final drive began with Goff’s 19-yard pass to Jameson Williams. He also connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for 16 yards on the decisive possession. Goff finished 32 of 41 for 283 yards, and six Lions players had at least five receptions.
Jordan Love was 12 of 20 for 206 yards with a touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft early in the third quarter.
Injuries
Packers: S Evan Williams (concussion), S Javon Bullard (ankle), DE Lukas Van Ness (thumb) were hurt during the game.
Lions: DL Alim McNeill left with a head injury after he was evaluated for a concussion and returned to play briefly.
Score
1st Quarter:
- 9:44 - D.Montgomery rushed right end for 3 yards. TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is good. Lions take lead 7-0.
2nd Quarter:
- 13:05 - J.Bates 43 yard field goal attempt is good, Center-H.Hatten, Holder-J.Fox. Lions extend lead 10-0.
- 5:38 - J.Jacobs rushed left tackle for 1 yards. TOUCHDOWN. B.McManus extra point is good. Packers cut Lions lead to 10-7.
- 0:14 - J.Goff pass complete. Catch made by J.Gibbs for 2 yards. TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is good. Lions extend lead to 17-7.
3rd Quarter:
- 13:20 - J.Love pass complete. Catch made by T.Kraft for 12 yards. TOUCHDOWN. B.McManus extra point is good. Packers cut Lions lead to 17-14.
- 11:22 - J.Jacobs rushed for 6 yards. TOUCHDOWN. B.McManus extra point is good. Packers take lead 21-17.
- 5:06 - J.Goff pass complete. Catch made by T.Patrick for 3 yards. TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is good. Lions retake lead 24-21.
4th Quarter:
- 14:27 - J.Jacobs rushed for 4 yards. TOUCHDOWN. B.McManus extra point is good. Packers retake lead 28-24.
- 8:49 - J.Goff pass complete. Catch made by T.Patrick for 1 yards. TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is good. Lions retake lead 31-28.
- 3:41 - B.McManus 32 yard field goal attempt is good, Center-M.Orzech, Holder-D.Whelan. Packers tie it up 31 -31.
- 0:02 - J.Bates 35 yard field goal attempt is good, Center-H.Hatten, Holder-J.Fox. Lions win game 34-31.