Detroit Lions clinch NFL play-off berth with thrilling win over Green Bay Packers
The Detroit Lions beat the Green Bay Packers 34-31 on a long field goal to clinch an NFC play-in spot for the first time.
Jake Bates’ 35-yard field goal on the final play of the game gave the Lions their 11th straight victory and a 12-1 victory.
Quarterback Jared Goff passed for 283 yards and scored 3 touchdowns, including 2 touchdowns to Tim Patrick, while David Montgomery rushed and Totaled 84 yards receiving and a touchdown on the ground.
Montgomery opened the game 70 yards with a three-yard score, setting the tone for an exciting game in which both teams held the lead at various points.
Running back Josh Jacobs had three rushing touchdowns for Green Bay, while quarterback Jordan Love was limited to 31 passing yards in the first half. After that, he finished the game with 206 passing yards and 1 touchdown.
The win keeps the Lions in the NFC’s top seed and close to securing a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage.
This is the first time since 1995 that the Lions, who have never been to the Super Bowl, have made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
Detroit hopes to win the division title for the second consecutive year, a goal they have not achieved since 1954, before the AFL-NFL merger.
