Packer Central

Packers at Lions Score: Live Game Updates

Two of the hottest teams in the NFL, the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, are battling on Thursday night at Ford Field. Follow along for the latest scores, highlights and injury updates.

Bill Huber

The scene at Ford Field
The scene at Ford Field / Bill Huber/Packers On SI
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DETROIT – Can the Green Bay Packers make a late run to the NFC North championship? If so, they’ll have to beat the Detroit Lions on Thursday night at Ford Field. Follow along for updates.

Final Score

Lions 34, Packers 31

Jake Bates kicked a field goal on the final play. Here is the story.

Fourth Quarter

Packers 31, Lions 31 (3:38 remaining)

In need of an answer, the Packers faced a second-and-14 at the start of the drive. Linebacker Jack Campbell ran right past Josh Jacobs and had Jordan Love dead for a sack. Instead, Love juked Campbell and somehow connected with Christian Watson for a catch-and-run gain of 29. Moments later, on second-and-10, Love had time and connected with Dontayvion Wicks over the middle. He shed Brian Branch for a gain of 26 that included 14 after the catch and gave the Packers a first down at the 19.

A 12-yard pass to Wicks gave the Packers a first-and-goal at the 7, but Wicks was drilled by David Long and had to leave the game. After a gain of 1 by Josh Jacobs, Love threw a touchdown pass to Jacobs but Watson was flagged for interference for laying out safety Kerby Joseph.

The Packers had to settle for a 32-yard field goal by Brandon McManus.

Lions 31, Packers 28 (8:39 remaining)

Jared Goff fired a 1-yard touchdown pass to Tim Patrick on third-and-goal. Goff went play-action and Patrick had plenty of room across the middle against Eric Stokes. Goff started the drive with 18-yard pass to Patrick, with Javon Bullard going down to further deplete Green Bay’s secondary. Amon-Ra St. Brown had a 14-yard catch on third-and-4 and a 10-yard run on an end-around.

Injury update: Packers S Javon Bullard (ankle) is questionable.

Packers 28, Lions 24 (14:20 remaining)

Starting from Detroit’s 30 after a turnover on down, Jordan Love fired to Tucker Kraft on a crossing route. Kraft bobbled but hung on and gained 21. He was crushed by linebacker Jack Campbell; Kraft, apparently unfazed, flipped himself right back onto his feet and walked back to the huddle. That was the final play of the third quarter.

After a short pass to Ben Sims, running back Josh Jacobs scored his third touchdown of the game. Sean Rhyan had one of the key blocks on the 4-yard run.

Third Quarter

Lions 24, Packers 21 (1:26 remaining)

The Lions’ aggressiveness bit them in the rear this time. On fourth-and-1 from their 31, the Lions didn’t try to draw Green Bay offside. Instead, it was a toss to Jahmyr Gibbs, which Quay Walker stopped for a loss of 1. The Packers will take over at Detroit’s 30.

Lions 24, Packers 21 (3:22 remaining)

There would be no answer by the Packers. A first-down flea flicker ended with Jordan Love throwing it away; had he had time, there was a chance to fire one deep to Dontayvion Wicks on a corner route. On third-and-9, Love threw behind Christian Watson, who made the catch but for just 7 yards.

Lions 24, Packers 21 (5:02 remaining)

On fourth-and-goal at the 3, Jared Goff fired a touchdown pass to Tim Patrick. Patrick ran his route right past Eric Wilson – it appeared they brushed against each other – turned around and caught the ball for an easy touchdown.

The Packers had the Lions staring at third-and-8, but a screen to Jameson Williams gained 7 and Goff snuck for 1 on fourth down. Another screen, the time to David Montgomery, gained 13. After Goff scrambled for 9, Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 20 to the 8. Defensive tackle Karl Brooks almost took the handoff; instead, Gibbs ran through a huge seam.

Packers 21, Lions 17 (11:15 remaining)

Following an incredible sequence, the Packers are in front.

First, Jared Goff was intercepted by Keisean Nixon. Goff fired one at the numbers to receiver Tim Patrick but Nixon stepped in front of the pass at the 31 and returned it 15 yards to the 16.

An 8-yard pass to Dontayvion Wicks gave Green Bay a first-and-goal at the 6. The Lions weren’t ready when Love got the snap. He handed it to Josh Jacobs, who stepped through an ankle tackle by Za'Darius Smith near the line of scrimmage and wouldn’t be denied.

Lions 17, Packers 14 (13:15 remaining)

On a must-score drive, the Packers scored a touchdown. On second-and-11, Jordan Love went deep to Christian Watson, who got behind veteran cornerback Carlton Davis for a gain of 59. After back-to-back incompletions made it third-and-10, Love ripped a fastball to tight end Tucker Kraft against Davis for the touchdown.

Injury updates: Packers S Evan Williams (concussion) is out. RG Sean Rhyan is back in the lineup. Lions DT Alim McNeill (concussion) is out, too.

Halftime

Lions 17, Packers 7

The demise of Detroit’s banged-up defense was greatly exaggerated. The Lions have dominated. Jordan Love is 3-of-7 passing for 31 yards. The biggest gain through the air, a 20-yard catch by Christian Watson, resulted in a turnover that gave the Lions a field goal.

Detroit leads 174-104 in yards. On third down, Detroit is 4-for-8 and Green Bay is 0-for-2.

The Packers will get the ball to start the second half.

Second Quarter

Lions 17, Packers 7 (0:11 remaining)

What an answer by the Lions. Jared Goff rifled one over the middle to Jameson Williams for 20. Next, he stepped up in the pocket to avoid Kingsley Enagbare to hit David Montgomery for 6 on third-and-5. Goff then hit Sam LaPorta for 13 in the flat and 11 on a well-blocked screen to the 4.

That’s when things got interesting. Montgomery ran to the 1, Goff was stopped on a sneak and Montgomery was swallowed up by Kenny Clark for a loss of 1. Lions coach Dan Campbell let the clock run to 14 seconds before calling a timeout. On fourth-and-goal from the 2, Gibbs ran a Texas route against McDuffie, who bit on the outside move, which allowed Gibbs to cut inside for an easy touchdown catch.

Injury updates: Packers S Evan Williams is being evaluated for a concussion. The adjustment was not going with Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes as the corners, Keisean Nixon in the slot and Xavier McKinney and Javon Bullard as the safeties. Instead, they continued with the Stokes/Valentine rotation at one corner, Nixon at the other corner, kept Bullard in the slot and inserted Zayne Anderson at safety.

DE Lukas Van Ness, who was questionable with a thumb injury, was back in for the scoring drive.

Lions 10, Packers 7 (5:35 remaining)

The Packers are back in the game. On second-and-goal from the 3, Jordan Love overthrew a wide-open Tucker Kraft. On third-and-goal, Terrion Arnold arrived on the scene way too early on his pass deflection – the ball was intercepted – for an easy pass-interference call. Josh Jacobs easily scored from the 1, with Elgton Jenkins delivering a key block.

At the start of the drive, Jacobs had a 19-yard run. Later, after holding by Jenkins and a completion to Tucker Kraft, Jordan Love scrambled for 14 yards to the 13, thanks to excellent downfield blocking by Bo Melton.

Injury update: Packers S Evan Williams is being evaluated for a concussion. Zayne Anderson replaced him in the lineup.

Lions 10, Packers 0 (13:01 remaining)

The Packers averted disaster. After Christian Watson’s fumble and a personal foul by linebacker Quay Walker, who lost his cool and blasted left tackle Dan Skipper for a 15-yard penalty, the defense stepped on the brakes. Jahmyr Gibbs was stuffed by Devonte Wyatt on second down and Aaron Mosby, of all people, had good coverage on Jameson Williams on third down. Jake Bates kicked a 43-yard field goal.

Injury update: Packers DE Lukas Van Ness (thumb) is questionable.

Lions 7, Packers 0 (14:50 remaining)

The first big mistake was made by the Packers. Jordan Love hit Christian Watson on a crossing route with plenty of room. He sprinted upfield, tried to cut inside and, with the ball up by his helmet, had it knocked loose by cornerback Carlton Davis. David Long recovered at the 46.

First Quarter

Lions 7, Packers 0 (0:35 remaining)

The Lions ran for one first down when Jahmyr Gibbs converted on third-and-4 – he was hammered at the first-down marker and coach Matt LaFleur lost a challenge. The Lions tried it again on third-and-5 but Colby Wooden smoked center Frank Ragnow and buried Gibbs for minus-3.

Lions 7, Packers 0 (3:50 remaining)

The Packers wasted good field position and went three-and-out. On third-and-5, it was a jail break and Jordan Love didn’t have a prayer. There should have been a penalty on Za’Darius Smith, who hit the front of Love’s helmet.

Lions 7, Packers 0 (4:41 remaining)

The Packers forced a big three-and-out. On third-and-5, Rashan Gary worked a game, got inside of Penei Sewell and sacked Jared Goff. After a short punt, the Packers will start at their 48.

Lions 7, Packers 0 (6:38 remaining)

The Packers overcame a sack by Za'Darius Smith and picked up one first down when Jayden Reed forced a pass-interference penalty on Brian Branch but that was it. On third-and-6, Jordan Love felt some pressure and went deep to Dontayvion Wicks but the pass was overthrown.

Injury update: Lions DT Alim McNeill is being evaluated for a concussion.

Lions 7, Packers 0 (9:41 remaining)

That was far too easy. The Lions drove 70 yards to the opening touchdown, with David Montgomery strolling into the end zone untouched from the 3. Jared Goff was 6-of-8 for 58 yards. The Lions had first-and-goal at the 10 when fill-in left tackle Dan Skipper held Rashan Gary. That pushed the ball back to the 20, but it didn’t matter. Goff to completed a screen to Jahmyr Gibbs for 7 and Sam LaPorta made a diving catch for 6. On third-and-goal from the 7, Keisean Nixon grabbed receiver Tim Patrick, with the illegal-contact penalty making it first and goal at the 3.

The Packers won the toss and deferred.

Late-Season Lukas?

As a rookie last year, Lukas Van Ness had a sack in his NFL debut at Chicago. He went nine consecutive games without a sack but finished with three sacks and six quarterback hits during the final six games.

Is Van Ness going to have a similar late-season surge?

Van Ness had one sack in the first 10 games but a sack in back-to-back games over the 49ers and Dolphins.

“I think there’s a lot of guys starting to hit that stride,” defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said. “I think guys are gaining confidence in themselves (and) they’re gaining confidence in the scheme, because they know what they’re doing and they’re getting more confidence in what they’re doing and, when you have more reps over time, that usually happens.

“The whole goal is to play better and better each week where the last game of the year we’re playing as good football as we have, and that’s what he’s doing right now, and I’m proud of him because it’s hard. He didn’t lose his confidence but there’s moments – and he’s got high expectations from outside and from inside – and early on you could see that weighing on him a little bit. But he should be confident right now because he’s playing good football.”

Van Ness said the defense, in general, and the pass rush, in particular, is feeling more confident.

And himself?

“Just got to keep going,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been able to put a couple sacks on the board the last few weeks and just got to continue to play free and fast and those will come.”

Rise of Packers Started at Detroit Last Year

Last year, the Packers were 4-6 when they arrived in Detroit for a Thanksgiving game against the rival Lions, who were 8-2.

Green Bay pulled off the upset, 29-22. Tucker Kraft, who replaced injured Luke Musgrave as the primary tight end, scored his first career touchdown.

“Just like us, the team was filled with a bunch of men. We’re all beatable. We were a young team last year,” Kraft said. “The benefit to us this year is we know a lot more about our own offense. Just a bunch of young hungry guys, still.”

The Packers lost 24-14 in Week 9, which is why they are two games behind Detroit in the NFC North standings.

Kraft is eager to make amends.

“The first time we played them, we just kept beating ourselves,” he said. “We had a third down, Jordan threw the ball to me, I had my hands turned to try to catch the ball inside. When that happens, when you’re not trying to catch the ball with the proper fundamentals, you miss the field goal after that.

“So, that’s points off the board when we should have converted on third down. We never should have had the kicking game out there in the first place. It’s all just domino effects of mistakes. Make the least amount of mistakes, win the game.”

The loss to the Lions preceded the bye. The Packers enter the rematch with three consecutive wins, including impressive victories over the 49ers and Dolphins.

“Having some wins under our belt and stacking those wins, that’ll be important to continue to carry that through, even after Detroit,” Kraft said. “Our focus is one game at a time, but having momentum going into a place, going in and playing a team that has had the injuries that they’ve had, we’re going to have to take advantage and execute one play at a time. Have the mindset to not get too ahead of ourselves, start the game off with that one play mindset.

“Even if things aren’t going our way right away, just being able to react and respond.”

Different Jordan Love for Detroit

When the Packers stumbled against the Lions in November, quarterback Jordan Love was playing through a groin injury sustained a week earlier against Jacksonville.

After the bye, the Packers have won three in a row. Of 31 quarterbacks with at least 40 passes during that span, Love is third with a 120.8 passer rating, first with 10.3 yards per attempt and 11th with a completion percentage of 69.1.

Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has been impressed.

“I’m going to give a lot of credit to the head coach also, because I know early in the season – I’m just talking about this season right now – I know he was throwing interceptions, but he was still having a good year as far as getting the ball downhill and getting the ball to the receivers,” Glenn told reporters this week.

“But I think what they’ve done a really good job of is saying, ‘Listen, (running back Josh) Jacobs, you’re going to run this team and everything’s going to go through you, which Love, that’s going to make you even more effective because now you have to try to stop this run’ because he’s doing a really job of running the ball. Now, he’s going to get more of his one-on-one matchups and those throws might be somewhat easier for him. 

“So, yes, Coach (Matt) LaFleur has done a really good job of riding Jacobs, and then he’s allowing Love to do the things that he’s always been good at doing, is getting the ball downfield to these elite receivers that he has.”

The Lions are second in points allowed. In Round 1, the defense had more touchdowns – Love’s pick-six – than the Packers scored until Emanuel Wilson scored with about 4 minutes to go.

“Detroit’s a good team, they’re a good defense, they do a lot of good things,” Love said. “And I think looking back at the film, there was a lot of stuff that we left out there. A lot of missed plays, a lot of mistakes and, obviously, not our best game. So a lot of stuff we’ll be looking to do better going into his game.”

Speaking of Josh Jacobs

Jacobs, who is third in the NFL with 987 rushing yards, needs just 13 yards to reach 1,000 for the season.

The magnitude of this game, however, was of much greater importance.

“I love these type of games,” he said this week. “I feel like it brings out the best in me. I feel like I’m the utmost competitor, so whenever I get a chance to prove myself or prove my team right, that’s something that I always look forward to doing.”

Packers-Lions Inactives

Both teams will be without some big-time players, including receiver Romeo Doubs for the Packers and left tackle Taylor Decker for the Lions.

Plus, Green Bay elevated rookie cornerback Kalen King from the practice squad.

Surging Packers Defense

Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has the Packers’ defense on the rise. Green Bay is ninth with 20.0 points allowed per game, seventh in yards allowed per carry (4.21), 15th in opponent passer rating (90.1) and fifth in takeaways (23).

Detroit won the first game 24-14 but the defense gave up just 17.

“There’s a lot more tape of our offense out than there is of his defense at this point,” Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said. “He’s got a change-up every week. He’s not just throwing fastballs, he’s got a change-up and he’s got a curveball that normally. There are several weeks where, ‘Hey, they played exactly like we expected.’

“But after that first game, there was a couple things in there that, ‘We hadn’t seen this yet, we hadn’t seen that yet, and this is how we reacted to it.’ So, certainly plays into his favor, but I think their core and their identity remains the same, how they want to play and what they believe in. Upfront, they’re physical, they’re penetrating, they like to get after the quarterback, they like to wreak havoc there in the backfield and create negative plays.”

Packers Are Underdogs

Green Bay was a 3.5-point underdog all week but the line moved to 3 on Thursday afternoon.

According to The Action Network, favorites for Thursday games have dominated in recent years, going 53-18 straight up.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur is 18-5 against the spread when an underdog of three points or less.

The Lions have won four in a row after Thanksgiving.

LaFleur is 18-2 in December, No. 1 in the league since 2019.

“Next game,” LaFleur said. “Not worried about. I didn’t even know it was December, to be honest with you. I don’t care. I know we play the Detroit Lions on Thursday. Today is a Thursday schedule for us. That’s where our focus lies, so it really doesn’t matter to me.”

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Bill Huber
BILL HUBER

Bill Huber, who has covered the Green Bay Packers since 2008, is the publisher of Packers On SI, a Sports Illustrated channel. E-mail: packwriter2002@yahoo.com History: Huber took over Packer Central in August 2019. Twitter: https://twitter.com/BillHuberNFL Background: Huber graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he played on the football team, in 1995. He worked in newspapers in Reedsburg, Wisconsin Dells and Shawano before working at The Green Bay News-Chronicle and Green Bay Press-Gazette from 1998 through 2008. With The News-Chronicle, he won several awards for his commentaries and page design. In 2008, he took over as editor of Packer Report Magazine, which was founded by Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Nitschke, and PackerReport.com. In 2019, he took over the new Sports Illustrated site Packer Central, which he has grown into one of the largest sites in the Sports Illustrated Media Group.