1 of 5 | Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff completed 32 of 41 passes for 283 yards and three scores in a win over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday in Detroit. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo
Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes and the Detroit Lions used their dominant offensive line to overwhelm the Green Bay Packers, sparking a narrow 34-31 victory and clinching their spot in the NFL playoffs.
Goff threw two of his touchdown tosses to wide receiver Tim Patrick on Thursday at Ford Field in Detroit. The Lions totaled nearly 400 yards of offense in their 11th consecutive victory. Advertisement
They also converted 4 of 5 fourth-down conversions, including one with 17 seconds remaining, which allowed them to burn the final seconds off the game clock and seal the win.
“There is risk with it, but I felt like with our guys it wouldn’t be as big of a risk as it may appear to be,” Lions coach Dan Campbell told reporters when asked about the aggressive play calling.” Advertisement
The Lions outgained the Packers 391 to 298 in total yards and 27-17 in first downs. They also converted 7 of 15 third down attempts, compared to just 1 of 5 for their NFC North division rivals. They held a 12-minute edge in time of possession. Packers running back Josh Jacobs scored three times.
“They are a good team and so are we,” Goff said. “I’m glad these games have been very close and very entertaining and I’m glad we’ve won them.”
CDIII knocked it out and David Long Jr. scooped it up❗️#GBvsDET | @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/Mz73gBoUoY— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 6, 2024
Goff led the Lions on an 11-play, 70-yard touchdown drive to open the game. Running back David Montgomery ran for a 3-yard score to end the possession.
Lions cornerback Carlton Davis poked the ball loose from Packers wide receiver Christian Watson for a forced fumble at the start of the second quarter. Linebacker David Long Jr. recovered the loose ball. Kicker Jake Bates made a 43-yard field goal about two minutes later for a 10-0 Lions lead.
Davis intercepted Packers quarterback Jordan Love later in the quarter, but the takeaway was nullified by a penalty. Jacobs ran for a 1-yard score on the next play to cut into the deficit. Advertisement
Goff and the Lions then used a 12-play, 70-yard drive to increase their advantage. He threw a 2-yard touchdown toss to Jahmyr Gibbs to end the possession. The Lions led 17-7 at halftime.
Love and the Packers roared back with 14-consecutive points to start the second half. He threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tucker Kraft on the first drive of the third quarter.
Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon intercepted Goff about a minute later. Jacobs proceeded to run for a 6-yard score on the resulting drive, giving the Packers their first lead of the night.
Gritty squad#GBvsDET | @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/w8d70bweCv— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 6, 2024
Goff found Patrick on a 3-yard touchdown pass with 5:02 remaining in the third quarter. Jacobs ran for his third touchdown of the game early in the fourth to give the lead back to the Packers. Goff responded by leading a 70-yard touchdown drive, which ended with his second touchdown pass to Patrick, and the Lions never trailed again.
Packers kicker Brandon McManus tied the score at 31-31 with a 32-yard field goal with 3:38 remaining.
The Lions then took over and did not give the football back. They used eight plays to march to the Packers 21-yard line. Montgomery went on to convert on a fourth-and-1 run, allowing the Lions to drain almost all remaining time off the clock while setting up Bates for a game-winning 35-yard field goal.
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BALLGAME#GBvsDET | @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/GSqqIUXUnk— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 6, 2024
Goff completed 32 of 41 passes for 283 yards, three scores and an interception. Love completed 12 of 20 passes for 206 yards and a score. Jacobs totaled 66 yards on 18 carries, including his three touchdown runs for the Packers.
The Lions (12-1) will host the Buffalo Bills (10-2) on Dec. 15 in Detroit. The Packers (9-4) will face the Seattle Seahawks (7-5) that day in Seattle.
