Bates Boots Detroit Lions to Victory Over Green Bay
DETROIT — Dan Campbell’s gambles paid off. The Detroit Lions clinched a playoff spot with a thrilling 34-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. It was a game marked by strategic risks, as the Lions opted for it on fourth down multiple times. They executed their final gamble perfectly, setting up Jake Bates for a 35-yard field goal as time expired.
Since taking over in 2021, Campbell has earned a reputation as one of the NFL’s most aggressive coaches, and he notably ramped up this approach against a short-handed Packers defense. “That was how I wanted to play that team with where we are at,” Campbell stated after the game.
The Lions (12-1) secured their 11th consecutive victory, breaking a franchise record and solidifying their lead in the highly competitive NFC North, with two wins over the Packers (9-4) included in this stretch.
Campbell’s decision to keep the offense on the field during a crucial fourth-and-1 play at the Green Bay 21, with only 43 seconds left, was pivotal. David Montgomery carried the ball for 7 yards after a near-mishap with quarterback Jared Goff, who was stumbling as he handed off the ball. “It’s a bad feeling,” Goff reflected on the play, but ultimately it allowed the Lions to run down the clock and secure the chance for the game-winning kick.
“I just felt like we needed to end it on offense,” Campbell explained. “I did not want to give the ball back and I believed we could convert. I trust the O-line. I trust David.”
Goff showcased his skills, throwing three touchdown passes during the game. He connected with Tim Patrick for two touchdown catches, and found Jahymr Gibbs open in the end zone for another just before the half, bringing the score to 17-7. Later on, Goff delivered a crucial 1-yard touchdown pass to Patrick midway through the fourth quarter.
However, not all of Campbell’s bold moves played out in Detroit’s favor. Late in the third quarter, Campbell’s risk-taking failed when Gibbs was stopped on a fourth-down run from the Detroit 31-yard line. Following that, Packers’ running back Josh Jacobs capitalized, scoring on a 3-yard run to extend Green Bay’s lead.
As the game progressed, the Packers tied the score at 31-all with a 32-yard field goal from Brandon McManus, leading to a nail-biting conclusion where both teams had exchanged the lead several times in the second half. “That’s exactly the kind of game we expected,” commented Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur. “It was tough and it went back and forth. There were just a couple of plays that didn’t go our way.”
The Lions’ final drive was impressive, featuring key completions including a 19-yard pass to Jameson Williams and a 16-yard connection with Amon-Ra St. Brown. Goff finished the game with a stellar record, completing 32 of 41 passes for 283 yards, marking a significant achievement where six Lions players recorded at least five receptions— a first in NFL history.
In contrast, the Packers’ quarterback Jordan Love completed 12 of 20 passes for 206 yards, including a touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft. “They have a really good offense, but so do we,” Love asserted. “I don’t think there was any extra pressure on us. We just got off to a slow start.”
This monumental victory for the Lions not only signifies their excellence this season but also sets the stage for a playoff run, showcasing the depth of their team and the effectiveness of Campbell’s strategies.
