Lions vs. Packers: Everything we know from the Week 18 matchup
The Detroit Lions closed out a disappointing 2021 season with a treat for the home fans inside Ford Field. Detroit and Green Bay played a thoroughly entertaining, engaging game in Week 18 that produced several highlight-reel plays for both sides.
In the end, the Lions picked up their third win of the season thanks to creativity, turnovers and strong play from a few key pieces for the 2022 season that should help grow into something bigger and better.
Final score: Lions 37, Packers 30
Keys to the game
(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
The Lions broke out the far reaches of the playbook. They scored touchdowns on two separate gadget plays, a TD throw from wide receiver Tom Kennedy to Kalif Raymond and another flea-flicker off a reverse where QB Jared Goff found tight end Brock Wright for the score.
It’s what the Lions’ injury-ravaged roster needed to do to keep pace with the NFC North champion Packers, who played their regular lineup in the first half and did not back off until the final whistle.
The Lions forced three turnovers from Green Bay in the second half with Jordan Love in at quarterback for the Packers. The first giveaway was not Love’s fault but rather a fantastic strip job by Lions rookie CB AJ Parker. Safeties C.J. Moore and Tracy Walker picked off poor Love throws later to seal the win.
It was over when...
David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
The Lions terminated each of the Packers final two drives with interceptions. The first one, by safety C.J. Moore one play after he made a brilliant tackle to prevent a big gain, probably should have closed the door on the Packers.
But the Lions couldn’t run out the clock thanks to smart timeout usage by Green Bay and a rookie mistake from wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was fantastic otherwise. Safety Tracy Walker slammed Green Bay’s door shut by picking off an errant pass from Packers backup QB Jordan Love, who was under heavy pressure when he threw it.
In between those picks, rookie kicker Riley Patterson calmly nailed a field goal to pad the lead out to seven points.
Top 3 Lions stars of the game
(AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)
Third star: QB Jared Goff – 21-of-30 passing for 238 yards, two TDs and no turnovers
Second star: S Tracy Walker – team-high 13 tackles and the game-sealing INT
First star: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown – eight receptions on 10 targets, 108 receiving yards and a touchdown
Other key stats
What's next for the Lions?
(AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)
It’s onto the offseason for the Lions. They finish the 2021 season with a record of 3-13-1 and earned the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
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