Lions retain management of NFC North with late victory over Packers

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions firmly positioned themselves to repeat as back-to-back champions of the NFC North with a gutsy 34-31 win over the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Ford Discipline on Thursday evening.

The Lions have now received 11 consecutive video games, which is the longest streak in franchise historical past, regardless of falling behind 28-24 within the fourth quarter and overcoming a plethora of defensive accidents.

The Lions have not misplaced to Inexperienced Bay since Nov. 23, 2023, which was 378 days in the past, and their lone loss this season got here in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 15.

Listed here are crucial issues to know from Thursday evening for each groups:

Promising pattern: Detroit’s “Sonic & Knuckles” duo of operating backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery continued to feast Thursday. Montgomery, aka “Knuckles,” helped the Lions rating first with a 3-yard landing on the opening drive. Gibbs, nicknamed “Sonic,” gave the Lions a much-needed halftime enhance with a 2-yard receiving landing from quarterback Jared Goff with 11 seconds left within the second quarter. Gibbs and Montgomery additionally made historical past Thursday, turning into the primary Lions operating again duo to each log not less than 12 scrimmage touchdowns in a single season.

Troubling pattern: Lions rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold has now been known as for move interference seven instances this season, which is essentially the most within the league. On Thursday, he was flagged ultimately zone whereas protecting Packers receiver Christian Watson with 5:49 within the second quarter, organising a Josh Jacobs speeding landing on the following play.

Most stunning efficiency: Lions WR Tim Patrick. Patrick continued to discover a function inside Detroit’s high-powered offense with six catches for 43 yards in opposition to Inexperienced Bay. He caught his first receiving landing as a Lion off a 3-yard move from Goff at 5:02 within the third quarter, then caught his second landing off a 1-yard toss from Goff with 8:39 remaining within the fourth. They had been Patrick’s first NFL touchdowns since 2021, when he performed for the Denver Broncos. Patrick, who missed the 2022 and 2023 seasons with knee and Achilles accidents, was signed to Detroit’s follow squad in August earlier than being signed to the lively roster on Sept. 24 forward of Week 4. — Eric Woodyard

Subsequent recreation: vs. Buffalo Payments (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 15)

It certain seems to be just like the Packers are out of the NFC North race, but when Thursday’s loss to the Lions was any indication, they will not concede something fairly but.

The Packers (9-4) fell three video games behind the Lions (12-1) with 4 video games to play. The Vikings (10-2) are sandwiched in between the 2.

The issue for the Packers is that they acquired swept by the Lions, who received earlier this season in convincing trend at Lambeau Discipline. This time, nonetheless, they took the Lions to the brink in what was a tie recreation when the Lions took over with 3:38 to play.

The Packers are actually 1-3 within the division and nonetheless should go to Minnesota in Week 17 earlier than closing with the Bears — the one NFC North crew they’ve crushed this season.

Pivotal play: In a recreation with so many twists and turns, in the end it got here down as to if the Packers’ protection may get one closing cease to offer them an opportunity for a last-minute drive or additional time. And it could not. On second-and-17 from the Packers’ 37-yard line, the protection allowed Goff to hit Amon-Ra St. Brown for 16 yards on a crossing route. Despite the fact that Packers backup security Zayne Anderson stopped Montgomery for no acquire on third-and-1 on the 21-yard line, Montgomery transformed on fourth-and-1 — whilst Goff stumbled earlier than he handed it off — to arrange the game-winning subject aim.

QB breakdown: Jordan Love had a grand whole of 31 yards passing within the first half. That modified in a rush after halftime. He practically doubled that on his first throw of the second half — a 59-yard completion to vast receiver Christian Watson. That led to a 12-yard landing move to tight finish Tucker Kraft that minimize the Lions’ result in 17-14 lower than two minutes within the second half. The deep ball to Watson went 42 yards within the air for Love’s fourth completion this season of 40 or extra air yards. Solely Washington’s Jayden Daniels (with 5) has extra such completions this season. Love completed the evening 12-for-21 for 206 yards and a landing move.

Most stunning efficiency: How typically do an NFL head coach and a fan on the sphere get right into a shouting match earlier than the sport? Packers coach Matt LaFleur did. He appeared to lose his cool earlier than the sport even began. LaFleur was caught on digital camera jawing with a Lions fan who was a part of the group holding the American flag through the nationwide anthem. Talking of LaFleur, he fell to 0-for-5 on replay challenges this season after he misplaced one within the second quarter. He threw the purple flag to query the spot of the ball on a 4-yard acquire by Lions operating again Jahmyr Gibbs on a third-and-4 play from his personal 17-yard line. — Rob Demovsky

Subsequent recreation: at Seattle Seahawks (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 15)