GREEN BAY, Wisc. — Jamaal Williams' two second half touchdowns and Kerby Joseph's interception of Aaron Rodgers lifted the Detroit Lions to a 20-16 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
For Rodgers, the interception could very well be the final pass thrown by the four-time MVP. As for the Packers, the lost slammed the door shut on their playoff chances.
Green Bay won four straight heading into Sunday and had full control of their playoff destiny, thanks to receiving plenty of help from other teams along the way. But the Packers fell short against a Lions team who was eliminated from the playoffs earlier in the day when the Seahawks beat the Rams 19-16 in overtime. With their win, Seattle (9-8) slid into the NFC’s last playoff spot and will play on Saturday at San Francisco (13-4). Green Bay (8-9) missed out on the playoffs for the first time since Matt LaFleur took the helm in 2019.
Williams’ scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:55 remaining to put the Lions (9-8) in front of his former team. His game-winning score gave the Detroit running back 17 rushing touchdowns to break the Lions’ single-season record that was set by Barry Sanders in 1991.
Green Bay would only get as far as its own 33 on their next series. On third-and-ten, Joseph would pick off Rodgers' deep throw with 3:37 remaining in the game. Detroit would go on to milk the remaining time off the clock, but not without any drama. Facing a fourth-and-1 from the Green Bay 15, the Lions woudl roll the dice and go for it, rather than attempt a field goal.
Jared Goff would hit DJ Clack for a nine-yard gain to move the chains and run the remaining time off the clock on Green Bay's postseason hopes.
Goff hooked up with Chark for a three-yard gain on a fourth-and-2 play during the Lions’ go-ahead drive.
The Lions went out on a high note, winning eight of their last 10 games after starting the season 1-6.
Rodgers finished the game 17 of 27 for 205 yards with one touchdown to becaome the eighth NFL player to have at least 5,000 completions in their career.
One thing of note as the final seconds wind down, Rodgers walked off the field, gazing into the stands, with his arm around Randall Cobb, possibly soaking up what could be his final time at Lambeau Field.
Rodgers is under contract for next season, but the 39-year-old has said his future is uncertain.
Detroit 3 3 7 7 = 20
Green Bay 6 3 7 0 = 16
First Quarter
GB—Mason Crosby 22 field goal, 11:21. DET—Michael Badgley 37 field goal, 7:00. GB—Mason Crosby 49 field goal, 1:54. Second Quarter GB—Mason Crosby 48 field goal, 12:56. DET—Michael Badgley 33 field goal, 0:00. Third Quarter DET—Jamaal Williams 1 run (Michael Badgley kick), 8:05. GB—Allen Lazard 13 pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 3:17. Fourth Quarter DET—Jamaal Williams 1 run (Michael Badgley kick), 5:55.
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