Lions defeat Packers 34-31 in instant classic
The Detroit Lions outlasted the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, clinching a playoff berth and improving to 12-1 by taking one big risk after another.
Those decisions paid off with a 34-31 win against the Packers that keeps the Lions in the running for the top seed in the NFC.
Detroit coach Dan Campbell watched as his team converted twice on fourth down to score touchdowns. He watched as another fourth-down try in the fourth quarter backfired and allowed division rival Green Bay to take the lead. But with 43 seconds left in the fourth quarter and with the opportunity to kick a go-ahead field goal, Campbell took his biggest risk of them all, turning down a chance to win the game with a field goal by going for it again on fourth down.
Convert and Detroit would be able to score and leave the Packers no time on the clock for a rebuttal. Fail and Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love would get the ball and an opportunity to hand the Lions their first loss since Week 2.
The Lions converted, even though quarterback Jared Goff stumbled to the turf while handing the ball off. Two plays later, Detroit’s Jake Bates kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired.
Goff threw for 283 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. David Montgomery, who ran for the crucial first down in the final minute, added a touchdown run.
The win is Detroit’s franchise record 11th in a row.
The Packers (9-4) were led by three rushing touchdowns by Josh Jacobs, but they were held to 99 rushing yards overall, more than 40 yards below their season average.
Christian Watson caught four passes for 114 yards from Love, who threw for 206 yards and a touchdown.
Green Bay’s slim hopes to win the NFC North, the NFL’s toughest division, hinged on their knocking off the Lions. Green Bay trailed 17-7 at halftime but took the lead after they scored 14 points in the third quarter. It was one of five lead changes in the game.
