The Detroit Lions positioned themselves to repeat as back to back champions of NFC North with a 34-31 win over Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on Thursday night.
The Lions have won 11 consecutive matches which is longest in franchise history despite falling behind 28-24 in fourth quarter and overcoming a plethora of defensive injuries.
The Lions have not lost to Green Bay since Nov 23, 2023 which was 378 days ago and their lone loss this season came against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept 15.
Detroit Sonic & Knuckles duo of running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery continued to feast Thursday.
Lions rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold has been called for interference seven times this season which is most in league.
On Thursday he was flagged in end zone while covering Packers receiver Christian Watson with 5:49 in second quarter setting up Josh Jacobs rushing touchdown on next play.
Lions WR Tim Patrick continued to find role within Detroit high powered attack with six catches for 43 yard against Green Bay.
He caught his receiving touchdown as Lion off 3 yard pass from Goff at 5:02 in third quarter then caught his second touchdown off 1 yard toss from Goff with 8:39 remaining in fourth.
They were Patrick first NFL touchdown since 2021 when he played Denver Broncos Patrick who missed 2022 and 2023 season with knees and Achilles injuries was signed to Detroit practice squad in August.
The Packers are out of NFC North race but Thursday defeat to Lions was any indication they would not concede anything quite yet.
The Packers 9-4 fell three matches behind the Lions 12-1 with four matches to play.
The Vikings 10-2 are sandwich in between two.
The Packers are now 1-3 in division and must go to Minnesota in Week 17 before closing with Bears only NFC team they have beaten this season.
The problem for Packers is they got swept by Lions who won this season is fashion at Lambeau Field.
The Packers are now 1-3 in division and must go to Minnesota in Week 17 before closing with Bears only NFC team they have beaten this season.
In a match with many turns and twist it came down to the Packers defense could get one final stop to give them a chance for last minute drive or overtime.
On second and 17 from Packers 37 yard line defense allowed Goff to hit Amon Ra St Brown for 16 yards on crossing route.
Packers backup safety Zayne Anderson stopped Montgomery for no gain on third and 1 at the 21 yard line.
Jake Bates is making himself as Detroit sports legend.
The Lions kicker played hero again after nailing 35 yard field goal as clock expired to secure a 34-31 win over division rivals the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football.
With match tied at 31-31 with over three minutes to go the Lions offense drove down filed while chewing up clock.
Detroit quarterback Jared Goff tripping on handoff he got the ball to Montgomery who secured first down and set up the game winning kick it is Bates third of season with last coming a little under a month ago against Houston texans.
Detroit inched closer and closer to redzone the Packers defense came up clutch stopping Lions running back David Montgomery on third down.
A field goal would have been logical choice to put Detroit up three points with 40 seconds remaining and give ball back to Green Bay with zero timeouts.
Detroit improves to 12-1 on season tying a franchise record for wins in a season.
“I did not want to give that ball back” Campbell said
“I believe we could get that I believe we could convert I trusted the O-line I knew how i wanted to play this game the team knew it and everything in me told me to lets finish this so we did”.
The fourth year head coach joked about Goff little trip calling him athlete
“And he got that thing handed off. David did rest It was great.”
Green Bay went into halftime down 17-7 with score coming on running back Josh Jacobs one yard rushing touchdown.
The two teams went back and forth trading scores two more rushing touchdowns from Jacobs to bring his total to three on day.
“You know certainly you have got to win this division and then you get this No 1 seed and we got a step closer to winning this division and doing what I just mentioned”
Campbell said
“So yeah listen Its great we are in playoff I wish I had tod the team I did not even tell them I had no idea.
“But honestly I think they know I think they feel like I feel. I really believe that and i think everybody would be like. Ok that is great with the old golf clap but then we know what we want to do. We talked about this really even after last year we talked about it in spring we talked about it in training camp. We know that our goals are”
Green Bay went into halftime down 17-7 with only score coming on running back Josh Jacobs one yard rushing touch down.
“The Journey was long but it was worth it and it made me the man I am today and it brought me here to Detroit”