Lions’ Gutsy 4th-Down Gamble Secures Thrilling Win Over Packers
DETROIT — The Detroit Lions are proving week after week why they’re the kings of the NFC North. On Thursday night, they delivered yet another statement victory, edging out the Green Bay Packers 34-31 in a nail-biter at Ford Field. With this win, the Lions have all but cemented their place as back-to-back NFC North champions, and they did it in dramatic fashion.
Let’s set the stage: The Lions, riding a franchise-record 11-game winning streak, found themselves trailing 28-24 in the fourth quarter. Injuries had ravaged their defense, and the Packers were surging. But Detroit, as they’ve done all season, found a way to win. A gutsy 4th-and-inches conversion set up kicker Jake Bates for the game-winning field goal, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
For context, the Lions haven’t lost to the Packers in over a year—378 days to be exact. Their only blemish this season came way back on Sept. 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With a 12-1 record, Detroit is not just chasing division glory; they’re making a case as one of the NFL’s elite teams.
Detroit Lions
Promising trend: The Lions’ dynamic running back duo, affectionately nicknamed “Sonic & Knuckles,” continues to dominate. Jahmyr Gibbs (Sonic) and David Montgomery (Knuckles) were unstoppable yet again. Montgomery opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run, while Gibbs added a 2-yard receiving touchdown just before halftime. Together, they made history, becoming the first Lions running back duo to each record at least 12 scrimmage touchdowns in a single season. Talk about a one-two punch!
Troubling trend: Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold has had a rough go of it this season. He leads the league in pass interference penalties with seven, including a costly one in the end zone on Thursday. That flag set up a Packers touchdown, highlighting an area of concern for Detroit as they head into the postseason.
Most surprising performance: Wide receiver Tim Patrick was the unexpected hero of the night. After missing the last two seasons due to injuries, Patrick caught not one but two touchdowns—his first since 2021. Signed to the Lions’ practice squad in August, Patrick has quickly become a valuable piece of Detroit’s high-powered offense. His six catches for 43 yards were crucial in keeping the Lions’ offense humming.
Next game: vs. Buffalo Bills (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 15)
Green Bay Packers
For the Packers, this loss was a gut punch. At 9-4, they’re now three games behind the Lions (12-1) in the NFC North standings, with the Minnesota Vikings (10-2) sandwiched in between. While their playoff hopes aren’t dead, the road ahead is daunting.
Pivotal play: The game ultimately came down to one critical moment. With the score tied and just over three minutes left, the Packers’ defense needed a stop. Instead, Lions quarterback Jared Goff found Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 16-yard gain on second-and-17. That set up a 4th-and-1 conversion by Montgomery, which paved the way for Bates’ game-winning kick.
QB breakdown: Jordan Love had a tale-of-two-halves kind of night. After managing just 31 passing yards in the first half, he came alive in the second, highlighted by a 59-yard bomb to Christian Watson. Love finished 12-for-21 for 206 yards and a touchdown, showing flashes of brilliance but ultimately falling short.
Most surprising performance: Packers head coach Matt LaFleur made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Before the game even started, he was caught on camera in a heated exchange with a Lions fan during the national anthem. To make matters worse, LaFleur is now 0-for-5 on replay challenges this season after losing another one on Thursday. It’s been a frustrating year for the Packers’ leader.
Next game: at Seattle Seahawks (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 15)
- Key Stat: The Lions have now won 11 straight games, the longest streak in franchise history.
- Historical Note: Tim Patrick’s two touchdowns were his first since 2021, marking a triumphant return from injury.
- What’s Next: The Lions face a tough test against the Bills, while the Packers head to Seattle in a must-win game.
Thursday night’s game was a microcosm of the Lions’ season: resilience, grit, and a little bit of flair. As for the Packers, they’ll need to regroup quickly if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. One thing’s for sure—this NFC North rivalry is as intense as ever.
Originally Written by: Eric Woodyard
