The Green Bay Packers (9-4) held a pair of leads in the second half and got the game tied at 31 late in the fourth quarter but were unable to get a late stop and lost to the Detroit Lions (12-1) on a short field goal from Jake Bates as time expired on Thursday night at Ford Field.
Josh Jacobs scored three touchdowns, including two go-ahead touchdowns in the second half. But the Lions never wavered, answering both go-ahead touchdowns with touchdowns of their own, and Jared Goff drove the Lions down the field to set up the game-winner from Bates after the Packers tied the game at 31 with 3:32 left.
The Lions converted 4-of-5 fourth downs, including two conversions on 4th-and-goal. Detroit ran 76 plays and wore down Green Bay defense late.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love hit a 59-yard bomb to Christian and threw a touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft to get Green Bay rolling in the second half. Keisean Nixon’s interception of Goff set up the first of Jacobs’ go-ahead touchdown runs.
The Packers trailed 7-0 after the first quarter and 17-7 at halftime.
Matt LaFleur’s team lost safety Evan Williams (concussion) and slot cornerback Javon Bullard (ankle) to injuries.
The loss — Green Bay’s fourth of the season and third in the division — essentially eliminates the Packers from the NFC North race. The next four games will serve to determine Green Bay’s place as a likely wildcard team in the NFC playoffs.
The Packers don’t play again until next Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Lions have won 11 straight games and are now 12-1 after 14 weeks. The victory Thursday night clinched a playoff spot. Dan Campbell’s team is in a terrific position to win the NFC North and get the only first-round bye in the NFC playoffs.
