All the Detroit Lions do these days is win football games.
On Thursday night, Dan Campbell's Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers to secure an NFL-best 12th win. Campbell's fourth down gamble helped push Detroit to a 34-31 victory.
The fourth-year Lions head coach opted to keep his offense on the field on fourth down in the fifth inning. But the fifth in the fourth quarter proved to be the most important. Although quarterback Jared Goff stumbled during a handoff exchange with running back David Montgomery, the Lions were able to put kicker Jake Bates in position for a 35-yard field goal.
As the final seconds ticked down, Bates split the uprights.
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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell at the end of the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Ford Field in Detroit. (Junfu Han/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
After the game, an enthusiastic Campbell addressed the team in the home locker room.
“I told you I'd never forget this game,” Campbell said as Lions players cheered. “We don't need to talk about how tough we are. We don't need to talk about how resilient we are. We're living it. We've lived it!”
Packers head coach and Lions fan part ways on field before game
At one point during Campbell's impassioned victory speech, Lions offensive lineman Dan Skipper noticed himself leaning against one of the locker room trash cans. Skipper took over duties as the Lions' starting left tackle on Thursday, replacing injured Taylor Decker.
“Come on, Skip! Keep throwing up and whatever you're doing there,” Campbell said. “That's a way to put yourself at risk.”
Skipper had a solid performance, allowing just one pressure on 44 pass-blocking plays.
The Lions have won 12 of 13 games this season, but the team has faced its fair share of injury adversity.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches the second half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 17, 2024 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
In October, star defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson fractured his left tibia and fibula. The injury will likely keep him out for the remainder of the regular season, but he could return in February if the Lions advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to tight end Sam LaPorta during the first half of a game against the Dallas Cowboys on October 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
“I'm so proud of you, that's how it shows,” Campbell said. “You mean pressure? We live under pressure. That's where we grow abnormally. You did it again. It doesn't matter who plays for us. What? It doesn't matter what's happening.”
“We'll find a way to win. This has been a long time coming. It's a long time coming. We were all supposed to be here together. We're destined for this. We just have to stay the course. .”
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The Lions will host the Buffalo Bills on December 15th.
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