GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Detroit Lions continued their exceptional season by defeating the Green Bay Packers 24-14, showcasing a strong performance that included a notable 27-yard interception return for a touchdown by Kerby Joseph. With this victory, the Lions improved to a 7-1 record for the first time since 1956, asserting their dominance in the NFC North and marking their third consecutive win at Lambeau Field on a day marked by rain and wind.
Detroit seized control of the game early in the second quarter when quarterback Jared Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 3-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-goal situation. The Lions extended their lead to 24-3 in the second half when Jahmyr Gibbs scored on a 15-yard rush during another fourth-down conversion.
Goff had a stellar outing, completing 18 of 22 passes for 145 yards. In contrast, Packers quarterback Jordan Love managed to complete 23 of his 39 attempts for 273 yards, though he threw an interception. Love’s previous week was marred by a groin injury sustained in a tight win against Jacksonville, but he showed resilience during this matchup. Jayden Reed impressed with five receptions for 113 yards, while Josh Jacobs added 95 rushing yards for Green Bay.
Although the Packers outgained the Lions in total yardage, accumulating 411 yards compared to Detroit’s 261, their struggle inside the red zone hampered their efforts. Green Bay had four trips to the red zone but could only convert those into one touchdown and two field goals, ultimately proving costly in the contest.
The game’s momentum shifted late in the second quarter when two of Detroit’s starting safeties were involved in a significant play. With a 7-3 lead, Lions defensive back Branch was ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers receiver Bo Melton. This penalty granted Green Bay a first down that kept their hopes alive, but they failed to make it count, as Brandon McManus missed a 46-yard field goal attempt.
Instead, Detroit capitalized on their next possession, allowing Jake Bates to kick a 27-yard field goal, extending the Lions’ lead. As the half wound down, Love attempted a throw under pressure but ended up tossing an interception directly into the hands of Joseph, who sprinted down the sideline for a pick-six, marking his sixth interception of the season and tying him for the NFL lead.
Green Bay had opened the game with a lengthy drive that ended in a 30-yard field goal from McManus, but it was largely downhill from there for the Packers, as the Lions scored the next 24 points. Late in the third quarter, McManus added a 38-yard field goal, and as the clock wound down, Emanuel Wilson’s 2-yard touchdown run coupled with Love’s successful two-point conversion to Christian Watson narrowed the score to 24-14. Despite this, Detroit recovered the ensuing onside kick and managed to run down the clock.
Injury updates revealed that Packers defensive lineman Colby Wooden and Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin had suffered shoulder injuries. The Packers were already missing key players including cornerback Jaire Alexander and safety Evan Williams, while the Lions played without defensive lineman Josh Paschal and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez.
Looking ahead, the Lions will face the Houston Texans next Sunday night, while the Packers will have a bye week before heading to Chicago on November 17.