Detroit — In many ways, it was a game of blown opportunities, for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.
Yet the Lions survived an overly aggressive coaching decision that backfired, driving for a game-winning, 22-yard field goal as time expired to best the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on Sunday, 20-17.
The Lions (4-2) nearly gave the game away. With less than five minutes remaining, and the score tied at 17, coach Dan Campbell made the decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 from his own 24-yard line. But like the Packers (4-3) defense had done throughout the contest, they got penetration on the handoff, dropping running back Jahmyr Gibbs for a loss to take possession.
However, Detroit’s defense got three quick stops and Packers kicker Trey Smack sent a 35-yard field goal attempt wide right. Lions defender DJ Wonnum got a finger on the kick, altering the trajectory and earning credit for a block.
With the new life, the Lions quickly worked into Packers territory with an 18-yard pass to Sam LaPorta, plus an extra 15 yards when the visitors were flagged for roughing the passer.
Once in the the red zone, Gibbs wisely eschewed two opportunities to cross the goal line, sliding to the turf to eat the remaining clock.
Prior to Detroit’s failed fourth down in their own territory, each team turned the ball over on downs in the red zone. The Lions also coughed up a fumble inside the 20-yard line late in the first half, while the Packers missed a second, chip shot field goal.
With the rivals continually failing to capitalize on opportunities, neither team was able to open up a two-score advantage.
Detroit grabbed an early lead with a touchdown on their opening possession, but Green Bay was able to counter on the ensuing series.
The Lions added a field goal in the second quarter, taking a three-point edge into the half.
The Packers briefly grabbed the lead in the third quarter, translating a turnover into a touchdown, but the Lions responded with a score of their own to regain the narrow lead.
That lasted until the middle of the fourth quarter, when the Packers tied the contest with a Smack field goal. That led into the wild finish with Detroit ultimately pulling out the win.
Scoring summary
First quarter
● 7:00 — Taking over after a missed field goal, Detroit opened with three straight Gibbs runs before a pair of downfield strikes to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams for a combined 52 yards.
On first-and-10 in the red zone, the Lions had Williams run a route across the formation, through the backfield. Taking the ball in the left flat, the speedy receiver raced along the sideline and dove across the goal line for the 16-yard score. LIONS 7, PACKERS 0
● 0:58 — The Packers counterpunched with a 12-play touchdown drive, converting on a third-and-3 and fourth-and-2 along their march. Forced into third-and-9 at Detroit’s 14-yard line, Jordan Love had to roll to his right to escape pressure, but the quarterback was able to find tight end Tucker Kraft in the back of the end zone after linebacker Jack Campbell fell in coverage. LIONS 7, PACKERS 7
Second quarter
● 12:36 — Detroit opened with a 40-yard play-action pass to St. Brown, followed by a 12-yard run for Gibbs, before suffering a tackle for a loss and false start infraction that put them in a second-and-20 situation. They nearly dug out of it, but another negative play on third-and-5 left them to settle for a 42-yard Jake Bates field goal. LIONS 10, PACKERS 7
Third quarter
● 12:14 — On third-and-6, Packers running back Josh Jacobs took a short pass, kept his feet through tackle attempts by Derrick Barnes and Keith Abney while walking a tightrope down the left sideline for a 25-yard touchdown to put the Packers on top. PACKERS 14, LIONS 10
● 6:33 — Detroit regained the lead with a 10-play, 80-yard scoring response. The series was buoyed by a 30-yard pass to Williams, and the receiver capped the possession with his second touchdown of the game.
Quarterback Jared Goff evaded heavy pressure and found the receiver open across the middle while on the move for the 10-yard score. LIONS 17, PACKERS 14
Fourth quarter
● 7:10 — Benefitting from an unnecessary roughness penalty against Barnes, the Packers worked into field-goal range before stalling, taking a 43-yard effort from Trey Smack to tie the contest. LIONS 17, PACKERS 17
Turnovers
● In the red zone during the closing seconds of the opening half, Gibbs lost his handle on the ball at the 6-yard line and the fumble was recovered by Packers edge defender Brenton Cox.
● In the opening minute of the second half, Goff couldn’t handle an under-center snap from Cade Mays. The Packers jumped on the loose ball, taking over at Detroit’s 42-yard line.
● On third-and-21, Love heaved up a deep shot for Christian Watson, but Brian Branch was able to settle under the throw and make a leaping interception.
Key stats
● Goff got away with a couple of errant throws, but was otherwise sharp, completing 22-of-32 for 303 yards and two touchdowns.
● Gibbs had a hard-fought 108 yards on the ground with 28 carries.
● St. Brown exploded for a season-high 153 yards on nine receptions.
● Jack Campbell paced the Lions with 11 tackles, including eight solo stops, while Aidan Hutchinson provided the defense’s long sack.
Notable
● The Packers missed a 26-yard field goal on the game’s opening possession after an initial, successful effort was negated by a delay of game infraction.
● One play after rookie Keith Abney dropped a would-be interception in the back of the end zone in the second quarter, cornerback DJ Reed came up with an open field tackle on fourth-and-4 from Detroit’s 7-yard line to force a turnover on downs.
● On the play where Williams caught his second touchdown, Penei Sewell reported as eligible and went out on a route.
● Goff nearly had his first interception of the season in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, but the turnover was negated by a defensive pass interference penalty.
Goff had another potential interception dropped by safety Evan Williams early in the fourth quarter.
● Williams was the target on a fourth-down play in the back of the end zone in the closing seconds of the third quarter, but he was pushed out of bounds before he could get his feet down in bounds.
Injuries
● The Packers lost center Sean Rhyan to an ankle injury on the game’s opening possession.
● Ennis Rakestraw exited in the second half with an ankle injury.
Inactives
The Lions made the following players inactive for Sunday’s game: Safety Bishop Fitzgerald, defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein, center Seth McLaughlin, tight end Jackson Meeks and defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo.
All five were healthy scratches.
Next game
The Lions stay home next week and will host the undefeated Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 1 p.m.
I live in Kenosha, Wi and after the Lions win, it was VERY quiet in my neighborhood.... with the exception of myself and my grandson who is also a Lions fan!
I kind of liked the 4th down call in Q4. My read was if they fail, GB gets the ball deep and it's potentially less time off the clock. Even if they scored the TD, Lions get the ball back with control of the clock on offense. A punt puts GB farther back, but with the chance to run their 4 minute offense and bleed the clock.