The Detroit Lions clinched the top spot for the NFC play-offs as a field goal snatched a 34-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Jake Bates’ 35-yard field goal on the final play of the game secured a franchise-record 11th straight victory and made the Lions 12-1.
Quarterback Jared Goff passed for 283 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Tim Patrick, while David Montgomery had 84 yards rushing and receiving and scored a rushing touchdown.
Montgomery finished a 70-yard opening drive with a three-yard run to set the tone for a thrilling game, with both teams holding the lead at various points.
Running back Josh Jacobs starred for Green Bay with three rushing touchdowns while quarterback Jordan Love – after being held to 31 passing yards in the first half – finished with 206 passing yards and a touchdown.
The win keeps the Lions in first place in the NFC and moves them closer to a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the play-offs.
It’s the first time since 1995 that the Lions — who have never appeared in a Super Bowl — have reached the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
Detroit is looking to win its division title for a second straight year, something it hasn’t done since 1954, before the AFL-NFL merger.
