Packers connect on three key fourth downs, delivering critical blow to Lions' division title hopes

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Detroit — When the Detroit Lions reached into their hat on Thursday, they expected to find a rabbit. It was there last Sunday against the New York Giants. Surely, it would be there again.

Instead, the Lions came up empty-handed on Thanksgiving, never able to make the one play they needed — either on offense or defense — falling to the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field as hopes of a third consecutive NFC North crown slipped away.

The Lions (7-5) fell behind on the opening drive and could never grab the lead. The biggest blows were a pair of failed fourth downs, one to open the second half and another in the fourth quarter, when a field goal would have sliced their deficit to a score.

Down 17-14 at the half, having scored a touchdown just before the break, the Lions had a chance to build on that momentum when they received the ball coming out of the locker room. Instead, running back Jahmyr Gibbs was stuffed on a fourth-down run up the gut, giving the ball to the Packers (8-3-1).

With the gift, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love connected on a 51-yard bomb to Christian Watson, extending the Packers’ lead back to 10.

The teams traded touchdowns, with Detroit slicing the deficit to three with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Isaac TeSlaa and the Packers responding with a 2-yard score to Dontayvion Wicks, before Detroit would cough it up on downs once again.

Facing fourth-and-3 from the Packers’ 21, quarterback Jared Goff rolled to his right, putting the ball behind Jameson Williams, who couldn’t make the awkward grab.

The defense, which struggled getting stops and preventing big plays much of the afternoon, responded by forcing a rare three-and-out, leading to a Detroit field goal that once again made it a one-score game.

Needing one more stop, the Packers delivered the fatal blow with a gutsy fourth-down conversion near midfield as Love connected with Wicks while under heavy pressure, allowing the QB to take a knee to run out the remaining clock.

The Packers finished 3-for-3 on fourth down, including two touchdowns and the game-sealing conversion.

Scoring summary

First quarter

● 9:12 — After surrendering a trio of first downs, including two third-down conversions, Detroit’s defense tightened up and held the Packers to a 45-yard field goal on the game’s opening possession. PACKERS 3, LIONS 0

Second quarter

● 14:19 — After allowing running back Josh Jacobs to break free around the left edge for a 29-yard gain on third-and-2, and picking up a free first down by getting the Lions to jump offside on a third-and-4, Jordan Love connected with Dontayvion Wicks on a deep ball for a 22-yard touchdown on a fourth-down snap, besting the coverage of Brian Branch. PACKERS 10, LIONS 0

● 7:54 — It wasn’t pretty, with a couple of negative plays and an illegal formation penalty, but Detroit got a trio of explosive gains, including a 23-yard grab by Tom Kennedy on third-and-13. That set up David Montgomery’s 3-yard touchdown run on a direct snap. PACKERS 10, LIONS 7

● 2:12 — The Lions continued to struggle getting a drive-ending stop, giving up two third-down conversions before the Packers again found the end zone on a fourth-down try as Love found Doubs on a short out route for the 2-yard score. PACKERS 17, LIONS 7

● 0:25 — Desperate for points before the half, Jameson Williams provided a 25-yard grab on a deep over to get the Lions into field goal range. But that wasn’t enough for the speedy receiver, who took a quick screen, maintained his balance after taking a big hit from cornerback Carrington Valentine and weaved 22 yards into the end zone. PACKERS 17, LIONS 14

Third quarter

● 10:31 — After Detroit turned it over on downs near midfield, the Packers found the end zone in two plays. From a clean pocket, Love heaved up a deep shot down the right sideline that Christian Watson hauled in over Amik Robertson for a 51-yard touchdown. PACKERS 24, LIONS 14

● 7:25 — Getting a much-needed response, the Lions drove 71 yards in five plays, starting with a 24-yard scramble by Goff and ending with the quarterback finding rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa for a 17-yard score. PACKERS 24, LIONS 21

● 1:44 — Green Bay marched from its 28-yard line to Detroit’s 6 without facing a third down. Then, when Detroit had a chance for a stop, linebacker Jack Campbell was flagged for grabbing a Packer facemask. With first-and-goal from the 3-yard line, the visitors needed two plays, putting the finishing touches on the series with a 1-yard scoring pass from Love to Wicks. PACKERS 31, LIONS 21

Fourth quarter

● 2:59 — A 13-play drive that ate more than six minutes off the clock stalled in the red zone, resulting in Detroit settling for a 31-yard field goal. PACKERS 31, LIONS 24

Turnovers

● None

Key stats

● After throwing three consecutive incompletions to open the game, Goff settled down to complete 20-of-26 for 256 yards and two touchdowns.

● It was tough sledding for Gibbs, who finished with 68 yards on 20 carries. David Montgomery had a little more success, gaining 32 yards and scoring on eight carries.

● Williams paced Detroit’s pass catchers with seven catches for a career-high 144 yards and one score.

● Brian Branch led the Lions with 10 tackles and two pass defenses. The team did not record a sack.

Injuries

● Amon-Ra St. Brown exited the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury after he was rolled up on from behind by center Tyrstan Colon during a run play.

Notable

● Prior to the Packers’ fourth-down touchdown toss near the end of the first half, they were flagged for a false start. However, after the officials conferred, it was announced that the visitors had called a timeout prior to the infraction.

● The Lions eschewed an opportunity to kick a 39-yard field goal that would have cut the Packers’ lead to one score with 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, failing to convert on fourth down when Goff threw behind Williams and the receiver couldn’t corrall the errant pass.

● Without a catch prior to his injury, St. Brown’s streak of 70 straight games with at least one reception comes to an end.

Inactives

The Lions made the following players inactive for Thursday’s game: Safety Kerby Joseph, center Graham Glasgow, tight end Brock Wright, wide receiver Kalif Raymond, offensive lineman Miles Frazier, defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo and defensive lineman Tyler Lacy.

Joseph, Glasgow, Wright and Raymond were ruled out on Wednesday due to injuries. Frazier, who was activated off the physically unable to perform list on Wednesday, had been questionable for the contest. Lacy and Wingo were healthy scratches.

Next game

Detroit will close out its three-game home stand in primetime next Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys.