Packers are swept by rival Lions after defense fails to make big play

DETROIT — The Green Bay Packers had another unexpected chance to stop the Detroit Lions’ offense Thursday night.

They still couldn’t do it.

With 43 seconds left in a 31-31 tie, the Lions found themselves four inches behind the Packers 21. They were within easy field goal range for Jake Bates, but coach Dan Campbell decided he didn’t want to leave Green Bay. anytime on the clock.

He kept his attack on the field. If the Packers had managed to get a stop, they would have had a chance at a shocking victory.

“It might have surprised me a little bit, but that’s how Dan has been throughout his career,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said.

David Montgomery crossed the line for a 7-yard gain. Two plays later, Bates kicked a 35-yard field as time expired to give the Lions a 34-31 victory.

“They gave us an opportunity and we didn’t take it,” LaFleur said. “Hats off to them.”

Since a 2-2 start, the Packers have gone 7-2. However, both of those losses came against the NFC North rival Lions (12-1), likely putting a division title out of reach.

Green Bay’s previous two losses came against the NFC’s other top teams: Philadelphia and division rival Minnesota.

This time, Jordan Love led Green Bay to 24 points in the second half and two four-point leads: 21-17 and 28-24. The defense just couldn’t get off the field.

The Lions had two possessions in the fourth quarter – a 70-yard touchdown run to take a 31-28 lead and a game-ending 53-yard touchdown run after the Packers had it. Jared Goff was 10 of 10 for 105 yards and a touchdown on those possessions.

“We gave him a ton of time to throw at the end,” LaFleur said. “They ran a ton of screens today and it really hurt us.”

On the first drive of the fourth quarter, Goff completed passes of 11 and 14 yards. On the final possession, he completed passes of 19, 11 and 16 yards.

“I’m sure there are things we could do differently,” LaFleur said. “But Jared is a great quarterback and they have great playmakers on offense. He gives them the ball and they start their machine meter after catch.

Love didn’t blame his teammates.

“Obviously, we’d like to see the defense stop at the end and give us the ball back with a chance to win or go to overtime,” he said. “But we put them in a 17-7 hole in the first half – we got off to such a slow start.”

Love completed 3 of 7 passes for 31 yards in the first half and also took a sack. He was great after intermission – 9 of 13 for 175 yards and a touchdown – but he wasn’t happy with his performance.

“I just didn’t make enough plays early on,” he said. “They have a very good offense, and I think we are just as good, but that slow start hurt us.”

The Packers could get a third chance against the Lions in the playoffs.

“It’s far,” LaFleur said. “But I think we have a really good ball team.”