Lions Edge Packers 20-17 in Week 7 Showdown

WHO:

Pride Of Detroit - Brian Branch made four tackles and intercepted Jordan Love in the fourth quarter in his first game back from an Achilles injury.

detroitlions.com - Dan Campbell said, “I thought we would get it,” and “I knew we would get the ball back if it didn't work out,” explaining his fourth-and-1 decision.

detroitlions.com - D.J. Wonnum is tied with Aidan Hutchinson for Detroit’s team lead with 5.0 sacks.

Pride Of Detroit - Detroit’s five penalties included two on special teams, one on linebacker Derrick Barnes, and two false starts by offensive linemen.

Packers.com - Matt LaFleur said, “I thought our team competed, they battled, but we did not capitalize on some premier opportunities right there.”

Packers.com - LaFleur said of rookie kicker Trey Smack, “I know he can do it,” and added, “We’ve got to wipe this one clean and move on.”

Packers.com - Jordan Love said the Packers discuss possible roughing-the-passer calls with officials, adding, “It’s tough.”

Pride Of Detroit - Brian Branch recorded four tackles in his return from an Achilles injury.

detroitlions.com - Head coach Dan Campbell said, “We have a tremendous amount of trust” in Jared Goff and described his play as being “at such a high level.”

detroitlions.com - Goff has led 18 game-winning drives as a Lion and 26 in his career.

detroitlions.com - Campbell said he believed Detroit would convert its fourth-and-1 attempt and knew the Lions would get the ball back if they failed.

detroitlions.com - Center Cade Mays made his first start of the season after coming off Reserve/Injured; Goff’s lost fumble came on a bad exchange with Mays.

packers.com - Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon stopped Jahmyr Gibbs for a 2-yard loss on Detroit’s fourth-down attempt inside its own 25-yard line.

packers.com - Defensive lineman DJ Wonnum was credited in the official scorebook with blocking Trey Smack’s late field-goal attempt; the recap said the effect of his deflection was unclear.

packers.com - Matt LaFleur said John Williams did “a really good job” after entering at center, and Jordan Love said Williams had “not much” practice time at the position.

detroitlions.com - Isaac TeSlaa was pictured before the game.

packers.com - Matthew Golden had catches of 4 and 26 yards on Green Bay’s opening drive; Savion Williams caught a 20-yard pass. John Williams made his NFL debut after a back injury sidelined him during his 2025 rookie season.

packers.com - Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie forced a fumble recovered by Brenton Cox Jr. near Green Bay’s goal line; McDuffie later recovered a Goff fumble. Brandon Cisse intercepted Goff, but a pass-interference penalty nullified the play. Evan Williams dropped a possible interception.

detroitlions.com - Detroit’s leading players included quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, kicker Jake Bates, tight end Sam LaPorta, and safety Brian Branch.

packers.com - Green Bay’s leading players included quarterback Jordan Love, running back Josh Jacobs, tight end Tucker Kraft, wide receiver Christian Watson, and rookie kicker Trey Smack. Head coach Matt LaFleur said, “Obviously very disappointed right now,” and that his team had to “wipe this one clean and move on.”

packers.com - Packers center Sean Rhyan left with an ankle injury, backup center Jacob Monk left with a quad injury, and John Williams made his NFL debut at center. Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt also left with an ankle injury.

detroitlions.com - Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. left with an ankle injury and did not return. Brian Branch played his first game since tearing his Achilles.

WHAT:

Packers.com - Detroit’s first-quarter touchdown came on Jameson Williams’ 16-yard reception, capping a drive that included a 28-yard completion to Amon-Ra St. Brown and a 24-yard catch by Williams.

Packers.com - Green Bay tied the game at 7 when Tucker Kraft caught a 14-yard touchdown pass with 58 seconds left in the first quarter.

Packers.com - Jake Bates’ 42-yard field goal put Detroit ahead 10–7 with 12:36 remaining in the first half.

Packers.com - Green Bay’s first-half fumble recovery came when Brenton Cox Jr. recovered Jahmyr Gibbs’ fumble at the Packers’ 8-yard line.

Packers.com - Detroit regained the lead, 17–14, on Jameson Williams’ 10-yard touchdown catch with 6:33 left in the third quarter.

Packers.com - On a kickoff return, Evan Williams tackled Jacob Saylors at Detroit’s 23-yard line.

Packers.com - Detroit won the coin toss and elected to defer.

Packers.com - Green Bay’s opening drive included a 27-yard fourth-down completion to Savion Williams on fourth-and-5 from Detroit’s 33.

Packers.com - Detroit’s first field goal was a 42-yarder by Jake Bates, giving the Lions a 10–7 lead.

Packers.com - Detroit’s opening drive after Green Bay’s first touchdown began with a 40-yard Jared Goff completion to Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Packers.com - Aidan Hutchinson sacked Jordan Love for a 10-yard loss, preceding a Green Bay three-and-out.

Packers.com - St. Brown had seven catches for 135 yards in the first half.

Packers.com - On Green Bay’s touchdown drive in the third quarter, Love connected with Jonnu Smith for a 9-yard gain before Josh Jacobs scored on a 25-yard reception.

Packers.com - Detroit’s final drive began at its own 15 after a penalty for an illegal double-team block on the kickoff.

detroitlions.com - Jameson Williams scored on touchdown catches of 16 and 10 yards, recording two touchdown catches in consecutive weeks.

packers.com - Tucker Kraft scored Green Bay’s first-quarter touchdown on a 14-yard reception.

packers.com - Green Bay’s 43-yard field goal tied the game at 17 with 7:10 remaining.

Pride Of Detroit - Detroit had an opening-drive touchdown for the first time that season, scoring in six plays in under four minutes.

Pride Of Detroit - Green Bay converted three of four fourth-down attempts for 77 yards on successful conversions.

Pride Of Detroit - Detroit scored a touchdown on its opening drive for the first time that season, taking under four minutes to score in six plays.

Pride Of Detroit - Detroit’s defense allowed Green Bay to convert five of 15 third-down attempts.

Pride Of Detroit - Green Bay punted twice during the game.

Packers.com - Green Bay’s late third-down pass to Josh Jacobs in the end zone was an incomplete potential touchdown.

Packers.com - Green Bay was penalized for a personal foul after a post-play scuffle; LaFleur said, “There was no whistle blown and the guy continued to run … so our guys continued to play, too.”

Packers.com - LaFleur said he received few explanations about penalties and said, “I can say what I really think but I don’t think it does any good.”

Packers.com - Green Bay converted three of four fourth-down attempts, gaining 77 yards on successful conversions.

Pride Of Detroit - Detroit was called for five penalties, compared with an average of seven per game, and Green Bay punted twice.

detroitlions.com - Goff became the first quarterback in NFL history with at least 14 touchdown passes and no turnovers through a season’s first six games.

detroitlions.com - Jahmyr Gibbs recorded 890 scrimmage yards through six games, the second-most by a Lions player in a season’s first six games; Billy Sims holds the record with 914 in 1980.

packers.com - Green Bay had two additional fourth-down decisions that produced no points: it went for fourth-and-4 at Detroit’s 7 instead of attempting a short field goal, and Detroit failed on fourth-and-5 at Green Bay’s 6 while seeking a two-score lead.

detroitlions.com - Jake Bates remained perfect on field goals for the season.

detroitlions.com - Goff finished with a 119.7 passer rating.

packers.com - Christian Watson had five catches for 57 yards; Josh Jacobs had five catches for 55 yards; Tucker Kraft had four catches for 48 yards.

packers.com - Green Bay’s late missed field goal followed a failed fourth-down stop by Detroit’s defense, leaving the Packers with possession at the Lions’ 22-yard line.

detroitlions.com - Jared Goff recorded his 29th consecutive game with a touchdown pass and extended his season-opening streak to six games without an interception; he had 14 touchdown passes and no interceptions.

packers.com - Green Bay had converted 10 consecutive fourth-down attempts before D.J. Reed stopped Matthew Golden for no gain on fourth-and-4.

packers.com - Green Bay was called for eight roughing-the-passer penalties this season, compared with none against its opponents.

packers.com - LaFleur said, “I was kicking myself,” about choosing to go for it on fourth-and-4 from Detroit’s 7 rather than attempt a short field goal.

detroitlions.com - Detroit defeated Green Bay 20–17 on Bates’ 22-yard field goal as time expired. The win brought the Lions to 4–2 and gave them consecutive wins.

packers.com - The loss ended Green Bay’s three-game winning streak; the Packers’ record fell to 4–3.

detroitlions.com - Goff completed 22 of 32 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns, both to Williams. Williams had five catches for 91 yards; St. Brown had nine catches for 153 yards; Gibbs rushed 29 times for 116 yards and caught five passes for 27 yards.

packers.com - Love completed 27 of 45 passes for 274 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and an 83.0 passer rating. Jacobs had a 25-yard touchdown reception and 36 rushing yards on 11 carries in his season debut; Kraft caught a touchdown.

detroitlions.com - Detroit held Green Bay to 60 rushing yards and no rushing touchdowns.

packers.com - Smack missed field goals from 26 and 35 yards. Green Bay also missed a chance to take the lead after Jacobs dropped a possible touchdown catch; Detroit then drove for the winning kick.

PFF - Detroit outgained Green Bay 442 total yards to 313.

WHERE:

detroitlions.com - Jared Goff’s final-drive completion to Sam LaPorta advanced Detroit to its own 45-yard line.

detroitlions.com - The game was played at Ford Field in Detroit.

WHEN:

detroitlions.com - Detroit’s next game is against Minnesota, listed as 6-0, Sunday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. (FOX).

packers.com - Green Bay’s next game is a Thursday-night home game against Carolina at Lambeau Field.

WHY:

packers.com - Green Bay’s missed scoring opportunities, including two missed field goals and a failed late drive, contributed to its loss.

HOW:

Packers.com - Green Bay’s second-quarter fourth-down conversion came on a 28-yard pass to Christian Watson on fourth-and-3, advancing the Packers to Detroit’s 13-yard line.

Packers.com - Green Bay’s fourth-and-4 stop at Detroit’s 7-yard line came when D.J. Reed tackled Matthew Golden for no gain, ending the Packers’ run of 10 consecutive successful fourth-down conversions.

packers.com - Detroit’s first fumble came when center Cade Mays and Jahmyr Gibbs collided; Green Bay recovered Goff’s later fumble and scored a touchdown on the ensuing possession.

packers.com - Green Bay’s first drive reached second-and-goal at Detroit’s 3, but a delay-of-game penalty pushed the field-goal attempt back five yards.

Packers.com - On Detroit’s opening touchdown drive, Jameson Williams caught a screen pass and turned it into a 16-yard score.

Packers.com - Green Bay’s opening drive reached second-and-goal at Detroit’s 3, but a delay-of-game penalty moved the ball back and Trey Smack missed the resulting 26-yard field goal.

detroitlions.com - Detroit’s final drive covered 77 yards in 10 plays, while Goff’s 18-yard completion to Sam LaPorta drew a 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty.

packers.com - Detroit’s 17–14 lead was preserved late in the third quarter when Cisse pushed Jameson Williams out of the back of the end zone on a fourth-down pass.

detroitlions.com - After Green Bay missed a 35-yard field goal, Detroit advanced 71 yards in 10 plays, using 3 minutes and 21 seconds before Bates made the game-winning kick.

packers.com - Detroit’s final drive was aided by a roughing-the-passer penalty on Karl Brooks and an offside penalty that gave the Lions a first down.

Detroit beat Green Bay 20–17, with Jared Goff leading the Lions on a late game-winning drive after Dan Campbell’s fourth-and-1 gamble failed. Jameson Williams caught two touchdowns, Brian Branch made four tackles and intercepted Jordan Love in his first game back from an Achilles injury, and Detroit’s defense held Green Bay to a field goal that tied the score at 17. The Packers converted three of four fourth downs but couldn’t capitalize on their final chances, while Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said his team had to move on from the loss.