NFC North Showdown Went Down To The Wire Thursday Night
The Lions have been looking like the best team in the NFC. However, the Packers aren’t exactly a slouch either. So it was expected to be a very competitive game between the two teams. And we weren’t disappointed as the NFC North showdown went down to the wire on Thursday Night Football. The Lions did jump out to an early lead. However, the Packers shook off their lethargy and soon was trading punches with the Lions.
The Packers won the toss and chose to defer and the Lions methodically marched down the field on the game-opening drive. Running back tandem Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery as usual packed a great one-two punch. It was Montgomery who walked into the end zone for the three-yard touchdown. When Jordan Love and the offense took to the field the Lions’ pressure made life difficult for them. Love had no time to throw the ball and was sacked, the drive ended with a punt.
Green Bay’s defense answered by forcing Jared Goff and his offense to go three and out. But it was more of the same for Jordan Love on the next drive. He threw two incomplete passes due to the relentless pressure. However, the officials missed a blow to Love’s head which should have been a roughing the passer penalty. But the Packers defense forced another Lions punt. And that was followed by the Packers fumbling the ball and being recovered by Detroit. They were held to a 43-yard field goal. The Packers got Josh Jacobs going and he eventually ran in the 1-yard touchdown. Not to be outdone, Jahmyr Gibbs ran a sneaky route and caught a two-yard touchdown pass to finish the Lions’ 70-yard drive. Lions were up 7-17 to end the half.
NFC North Showdown Went Down To The Wire Thursday Night
The third quarter got started with a bang as Love hit Christian Watson for a 59-yard reception. Tucker Kraft finished the drive with a 12-yard touchdown catch. Watson no doubt wanted to make up for his earlier fumble. Goff threw a rare interception, picked off by Keisean Nixon. In three plays Green Bay scored a touchdown and took the lead for the first time. But Detroit went on a long and efficient drive. They had to go for it on 4th & goal and Goff easily found Tim Patrick in the end zone for the touchdown, retaking the lead. A punt by Green Bay and a turnover on downs by the Lions finished out the third quarter.
That turnover on downs gave the Packers great field position at DET 30. Four plays later Josh Jacobs scored a 4-yard touchdown up the middle putting Green Bay back in the lead. But of course the Lions answered back with an almost six minute drive with Tim Patrick scoring another touchdown. It put the Lions up 28-31. The Packers had made 4 trips to the red zone and came away with four touchdowns. But this time the Lions forced them into 4th & goal so the Packers tied the game with a 32-yard field goal. With :36 left in the game the Lions picked up a 4th & inches. They let the clock run down to two seconds then kicked a 35-yard field goal to win the game 31-34.
Lions Retain Lead At Top Of Division
This win punched a ticket to the playoffs for the Lions. Not only did they clinch the NFC’s first playoff berth this season. But it’s also their second consecutive playoff berth. It’s the first time the Lions have made the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 1995. Under coach Dan Campbell in 2023 the Lions had their first playoff win since 1991 and first NFC North title. And they look to continue their winning ways this season.
Green Bay at 9-4 now sits in third place in the division behind the Lions (12-) and the Vikings (10-2). Therefore, Green Bay will be playing for a wild-card spot in the playoffs.
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