Detroit Lions Back Into Playoffs With Loss To Green Bay Packers
The Detroit Lions lost to the Green Bay Packers, 31-24, in the de facto NFC North title game on Sunday, but still advance to the playoffs.
The Detroit Lions (9-7) came up short in their bid to win their first division title since 1993, losing to the Green Bay Packers in their regular season finale, 31-24. The Lions clinched a playoff spot earlier in the day when Washington (8-7-1) lost to the New York Giants (11-5).
The Packers scored first on a seven-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers to Aaron Ripkowski, driving 71 yards in eight plays after a missed Matt Prater field goal attempt to take a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter. The Lions responded with a touchdown drive of their own, a one-yard run by Zach Zenner capping off an 11-play, 80-yard drive to tie the game.
More from Detroit Lions
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Signing This Former Pro-Bowl CB Would Be Huge Mistake for Lions
- Forecasting the Rest of This Lions Season (Score Predictions)
- Lions Get Exciting Injury Update on Rookie QB Hendon Hooker
- Betting Preview: Best Bets for Lions vs. Packers Thanksgiving Day Game
After Green Bay punted, the Lions launched another drive as the first half wound down, going 69 yards in 11 plays, finishing with a three-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Golden Tate and taking their first lead of the game, 14-7, with 23 seconds left in the half. That was enough time for Rodgers and the Packers’ offense, however, as Rodgers hit Geronimo Allison for a deep pass into Detroit territory and Mason Crosby hit a 53-yard field goal as time expired to cut the lead to 14-10 at halftime.
Green Bay received the second-half kickoff and drove the length of the field, driving 75 yards in ten plays and taking the lead on a three-yard pass from Rodgers to Davante Adams.The teams traded punts until early in the fourth
The teams traded punts until Rodgers led the Packers on a ten-play, 81-yard drive early in the fourth quarter. Facing third and nine at Detroit’s ten-yard-line, Rodgers eluded the Lions’ pass rush for several seconds before finally finding Allen in the endzone to increase the lead to 23-14.
Detroit answered with a 54-yard field goal from Prater on the next drive to trim the deficit to six with 7:47 left, but Green Bay ran nearly five minutes off the clock on their next drive, driving 75 yards in 11 plays and scoring on a second touchdown pass from Rodgers to Adams to put the Packers up 31-17. Stafford threw a 35-yard touchdown to Anquan Boldin in the final seconds, but the ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Packers, who ran out the clock on a 31-24 win and the NFC North title.
Next: NFL Playoff Schedule Set for Wild Card Weekend
With Sunday’s loss as well as Washington’s loss to the Giants earlier in the day, the Lions ended up as the six-seed in the NFC playoffs and will face the NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1) on the road on Saturday.
The Dallas Cowboys (13-3) earned the number-one seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Atlanta Falcons (11-5) won the NFC South and will be the number-two seed.