Lions vs Packers highlights/ Dan Campbell fourth down/ Lions playoff clinch/ Jared Goff performance/ Lions 34 Packers 31/ NFC North standings/ DETROIT/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Dan Campbell’s aggressive fourth-down strategy propelled the Detroit Lions to a 34-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes, and Jake Bates hit a game-winning field goal as the Lions clinched a playoff spot and extended their winning streak to 11 games.
Lions Outlast Packers in Playoff Clincher: Quick Looks
- Key Play: Lions convert fourth-and-1 to set up game-winning kick.
- Aggressive Coaching: Dan Campbell goes for it five times on fourth down.
- Goff’s Performance: 283 yards, three TDs, and critical late-game throws.
- Packers’ Push: Josh Jacobs scores three touchdowns for Green Bay.
- Playoff Bound: Lions clinch with a franchise-record 11th straight win.
Lions Beat Packers 34-31 in Thriller, Clinch Playoff Spot
Deep Look
The Detroit Lions secured their first playoff berth in years with a dramatic 34-31 win over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night, thanks to head coach Dan Campbell’s daring fourth-down gambles and a clutch game-winning field goal by Jake Bates.
Campbell’s Aggressive Strategy Pays Off
True to his reputation as one of the NFL’s most aggressive coaches, Campbell leaned on fourth-down conversions to keep the Lions in control. The defining moment came with 43 seconds left when Campbell kept his offense on the field on a fourth-and-1 at Green Bay’s 21-yard line.
David Montgomery barely secured the handoff from Jared Goff, who stumbled but managed to deliver the ball. Montgomery’s 7-yard run ensured Green Bay wouldn’t see the ball again, and Bates nailed a 35-yard field goal as time expired.
“I just felt like we needed to end it on offense,” Campbell said. “I trust the O-line. I trust David.”
Goff’s Clutch Performance
Jared Goff delivered in critical moments, throwing three touchdowns, including two on fourth-and-goal situations. His 2-yard strike to Jahmyr Gibbs gave Detroit a 17-7 lead before halftime, and a 1-yard pass to Tim Patrick midway through the fourth quarter put the Lions ahead again.
Goff also orchestrated the Lions’ final drive with pinpoint passes to Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, finishing 32 of 41 for 283 yards. The Lions made history, with six players recording at least five receptions—the first time this has occurred in NFL history, according to OptaSTATS.
“They have great playmakers and they just get them the ball,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur. “Jared Goff is an excellent quarterback, and we gave him time to throw.”
Packers Fight Back
Green Bay didn’t go down without a fight. Josh Jacobs matched his career high with three rushing touchdowns, including a 3-yard score following the Lions’ only failed fourth-down conversion late in the third quarter.
Brandon McManus’ 32-yard field goal tied the game at 31 with just over three minutes remaining, but the Packers couldn’t stop Detroit’s final drive.
“That’s exactly the kind of game we expected,” LaFleur said. “It was tough and it went back and forth. There were just a couple plays that didn’t go our way.”
Lions Dominate NFC North
“This will be one of those games you’ll never forget,” Campbell said.
Injury Updates
- Packers: S Evan Williams (concussion), S Javon Bullard (ankle), and DE Lukas Van Ness (thumb) left the game with injuries.
- Lions: DL Alim McNeill briefly exited with a concussion evaluation but returned. OT Taylor Decker and DT DJ Reader were inactive.
Odd Pre-Game Incident
“He was yelling at our players and giving the throat-slash gesture,” LaFleur said. “I’ve never seen anything like that. I would just like security to step in there and get him off the field.”
