Detroit Lions (12-1) – Green Bay Packers (9-4): 34-31
In what is surely the best game of the season, the Detroit Lions won a decisive game in the race for the NFC North against the Green Bay Packers. The man of this match is Dan Campbell, who managed to break the deadlock by attempting fourth attempts, each one crazier than the last. It was also this risk-taking that allowed him to eat up the last two minutes on the clock to win this match.
Jared Goff (32/41, 283 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT) had a very good game, varying the targets and always seeming in perfect harmony with his offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Jordan Love (12/20, 206 yards, 1 TD) was not unworthy, helped by the tractor Josh Jacobs (66 yards, 3 TD), but it was not enough to overcome the best team of the league.
With this victory, the Lions are in the playoffs and have a great chance to be seeded number 1.
Detroit dominates the first act
From the start of the match, the Lions showed at home that they are not easy to play against. After a clinical drive of 11 plays and 70 yards, concluded with a touchdown on the ground from David Montgomery. Jared Goff seems confident, which is not the case for his Green Bay counterpart (7-0).
Jordan Love is struggling, and he is not helped by Christian Watson who commits a fumble which shuts down the Packers' offense, and gives the Lions a field goal. Fortunately for Green Bay, Josh Jacobs is in tractor mode. It is he who offers the equalizer to his team (7-7).
But still, Detroit is the more dominant team. And the Lions do what needs to be done before halftime: eat up the clock and score points. Jared Goff advances and Jahmyr Gibbs is at the conclusion. After an almost one-sided first act, Detroit is 10 points ahead (17-7).
The awakening of Josh Jacobs & Co.
From the start of the second act, this match passes into the dimension of legendary matches in these NFC North battles. Jordan Love finds his receivers, Josh Jacobs dominates on the ground and Jared Goff throws an interception. If you mix it all together, you get two touchdowns for the Packers in less than 30 minutes. The real match can begin (17-21).
What characterizes these two teams is character. And Detroit needs it to score a touchdown after this terrible sequence by the returning Tim Patrick (24-21). And the boxing match only continues.
The Packers of the essential Josh Jacobs scoring on the ground? Detroit multiplies the fourth attempts to offer the double to Tim Patrick (31-28). Jordan Love returns to the fight, but the Packers settle for a field goal after a touchdown canceled for a foul by Christian Watson (31-31).
Detroit has the cards in hand, and it takes all the audacity of Dan Campbell to attempt a fourth attempt while the Lions are in a position to score. Risk paid off, and the Lions won this match on a last field goal without giving the Packers any time. Checkmate.
