In a heart-pounding overtime battle that lived up to the hype of NFL Thanksgiving traditions, the Detroit Lions outlasted the Green Bay Packers 28-24 on Wednesday night, thanks to a clutch touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Goff to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. The victory, sealed with just 1:12 left in the extra period, sends the Lions into the holiday with renewed playoff hopes and intensifies one of the league’s fiercest rivalries.
The game, played at Ford Field in Detroit as a Thanksgiving eve appetizer, drew a sellout crowd of 65,000 roaring fans and millions more watching on national television. What started as a defensive slugfest exploded into offensive fireworks in the final quarter, with both teams trading blows in a manner reminiscent of their storied history dating back to the 1930s. For the Lions, this win marks their third straight victory, improving their record to 7-4, while the Packers drop to 6-5, keeping their postseason aspirations firmly in sight but under pressure.
Goff’s Clutch Throw Ignites Lions’ Comeback Fire
Jared Goff proved why he’s the cornerstone of the Lions’ resurgence, finishing the night with 285 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a pivotal overtime strike that will be replayed endlessly in NFL highlight reels. Facing third-and-8 from the Packers’ 22-yard line in overtime, Goff dropped back under heavy pressure from Green Bay’s edge rusher Rashan Gary. With Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander draped over St. Brown, Goff threaded the needle for a 22-yard touchdown, giving Detroit the edge they desperately needed.
“It was one of those moments where everything slows down,” Goff said post-game, his voice still hoarse from the sidelines. “Amon-Ra ran a perfect route, and I just trusted him to make the play. This team’s got heart, and tonight we showed it.” St. Brown, who hauled in eight receptions for 112 yards, including the game-winner, was equally effusive: “We’ve been building for games like this. Beating the Packers on the road to the playoffs feels electric.”
The Lions’ offense, coached by Ben Johnson, showcased its versatility throughout. Running back David Montgomery powered through for 98 yards on 22 carries, including a gritty 4-yard touchdown in the third quarter that tied the score at 17-17. Tight end Sam LaPorta added a 15-yard score earlier, capitalizing on a Packers secondary that had intercepted Goff once in the first half but couldn’t contain Detroit’s play-action schemes later.
Statistically, the Lions dominated time of possession in overtime, holding the ball for 4:23 compared to Green Bay’s 2:10. This efficiency stemmed from a balanced attack that kept the Packers’ defense guessing, a stark contrast to Detroit’s early-season struggles where they ranked 22nd in red-zone efficiency. Now, after this win, the Lions boast a top-10 offense in the NFL, averaging 26.8 points per game.
Packers’ Late Rally Falls Short in Defensive Duel
The Green Bay Packers entered the matchup riding a two-game win streak, but their offense sputtered early against a Lions defense that has quietly become one of the league’s stingiest units. Jordan Love, Green Bay’s young signal-caller, threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns, but two costly interceptions—one picked off by Lions safety Kerby Joseph in the end zone—proved detrimental.
Love’s shining moment came in the fourth quarter, orchestrating a 75-yard drive capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass to rookie wideout Jayden Reed, putting the Packers up 24-21 with 2:45 remaining. “We had them on the ropes,” Love reflected, frustration evident in his tone. “But overtime is a different beast, and they executed better than us.” Reed, emerging as a key weapon with 95 yards on six catches, including the score, highlighted Green Bay’s youthful potential but also their inexperience in high-stakes situations.
Running back Aaron Jones contributed 76 rushing yards for the Packers, but Detroit’s front seven, led by Aidan Hutchinson’s two sacks, limited big plays. Hutchinson, who disrupted Love on third downs multiple times, earned game MVP nods from analysts. The Lions’ defense forced three turnovers overall, converting two into points—a formula that head coach Dan Campbell credits for their turnaround from a 1-6 start last season.
In the overtime period, the Packers’ field goal attempt by Anders Carlson sailed wide left from 38 yards, handing possession back to Detroit and setting the stage for Goff’s heroics. This miss echoed Green Bay’s kicking woes this season, where they’ve converted just 78% of field goals, ranking 25th in the NFL.
Rivalry Flames High: Thanksgiving Tension Boils Over
This Thanksgiving showdown wasn’t just another game; it was a chapter in the ancient NFL feud between the Lions and Packers, two Original Six franchises with over 180 meetings since 1921. Detroit’s 28-24 overtime triumph evokes memories of classic battles, like the 1991 Thanksgiving Day upset where the Lions stunned the Bears, but this one carries extra weight as both teams vie for NFC North supremacy.
The atmosphere at Ford Field was electric, with turkey-themed tailgates turning into full-throated roars as the game intensified. Fans clad in Honolulu blue clashed verbally with green-and-gold clad invaders from Wisconsin, leading to a few ejections but mostly good-natured rivalry banter. “Beating the Packers feels like Thanksgiving dinner with extra pie,” quipped Lions fan and season-ticket holder Maria Gonzalez outside the stadium.
Historically, Green Bay holds a 102-81-7 edge in the series, but Detroit has won four of the last five, signaling a shift. This game’s intensity peaked in the second quarter when Packers linebacker Quay Walker laid a hard hit on Goff, drawing flags and heated exchanges. No punches were thrown, but the bad blood added to the narrative of a rivalry heating up just as the holidays approach.
Beyond the field, the matchup highlighted broader NFL Thanksgiving lore. Since 1963, Detroit has hosted the holiday game 28 times, fostering traditions like the pre-game turkey giveaway to military families. This year’s contest, broadcast on CBS to an estimated 30 million viewers, underscored the cultural staple, blending family gatherings with gridiron drama.
Key Plays That Swung the Overtime Momentum
Dissecting the thriller reveals several pivotal moments that tilted the scales. The game was tied 24-24 after regulation, thanks to a Lions field goal with seconds left, but overtime brought the true test of wills.
- First Possession Drama: The Packers won the coin toss and deferred, putting Detroit on the clock first. A 15-yard completion to running back Jahmyr Gibbs kept the drive alive on third-and-10, setting up Montgomery’s grind-it-out runs.
- Defensive Stand: On Green Bay’s ensuing drive, Lions defensive end Josh Paschal stripped-sacked Love, recovering the fumble at midfield—a play that shifted field position dramatically.
- The Decisive Score: Goff’s touchdown to St. Brown wasn’t just a pass; it was a masterclass in pocket presence, evading blitzes and delivering under duress.
Stat lines from the game paint a picture of balance: Both teams combined for 512 passing yards, but Detroit’s 142 rushing yards outpaced Green Bay’s 89, controlling the clock. Penalties were minimal, with only 12 flags thrown for 95 yards, allowing the skill players to shine.
Injuries played a subtle role too. Packers wide receiver Christian Watson aggravated a hamstring issue in the third quarter, limiting his snaps and forcing Love to rely more on Reed and veteran Allen Lazard, who had a quiet 42 yards.
Playoff Implications: Lions Surge, Packers Scramble
As Thanksgiving turkey carves across America, the Lions’ overtime victory propels them into contention for a wild-card spot in the NFC playoffs. At 7-4, Detroit sits one game behind the Minnesota Vikings in the division and two behind the NFC’s top seed. Their next test comes Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, a chance to build momentum before a brutal December slate including rematches with Green Bay and divisional foes.
For the Packers, the loss stings but doesn’t derail their season. Still in the hunt at 6-5, they’ll face the New York Giants on the road next, needing Love to rebound from the interceptions. Analysts project Green Bay with a 55% chance of making the postseason, per ESPN’s Football Power Index, but they’ll need to win out against a soft closing schedule to climb higher.
League-wide, this game underscores the NFC’s parity, with six teams within two games of the final playoff berth. The Lions’ defensive improvements—allowing just 18.2 points per game over their last five outings—position them as dark horses, while the Packers’ young core hints at future dominance. As the holidays unfold, expect this rivalry to fuel playoff narratives, with Detroit fans dreaming of a deep run and Green Bay plotting revenge in their December 3 rematch at Lambeau Field.
Looking ahead, the NFL’s Thanksgiving Day tripleheader on November 23 features the Lions hosting the Buffalo Bills, a high-stakes affair that could solidify Detroit’s holiday hosting legacy. For now, though, Lions Nation savors the taste of victory, a perfect prelude to the feast.
