The Lions haven’t been able to finish drives all season, too often settling for field goals instead of touchdowns. And despite holding leads in the final two minutes of regulation the past three games, they haven’t been able to finish off opponents.
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The Lions added a 34-yard field goal from Jason Hanson, but they had just seven seconds to overcome the remaining 7-point deficit.
They kicked the field goal in order to have time to for an onside kick and possibly a Hail Mary.
But Hanson’s onside kick attempt went out of bounds, ending the game before the Lions could attempt a last-ditch passing play.
The Lions are 30 minutes from ending a two-decade drought in Wisconsin.
After one half, the Lions lead the Packers 14-10 and have a chance to win a road game over Green Bay for the first time since 1991.
In the first half, the Lions dominated time of possession (22:41 to 7:19) and total yards (218 to 94). They also converted 6 of 7 third downs compared to 1 of 3 for Green Bay.
Matthew Stafford had two turnovers, a fumble and an interception, and the Packers returned the fumble for a touchdown. The Lions also scored off a turnover, following an Aaron Rodgers fumble with a touchdown drive.
The Lions are clinging to a lead thanks to their 80-yard touchdown drive to start the game.
Here are some other key halftime stats:
Lions
Matthew Stafford: 13 of 16, 114 yards, 2 touchdowns (1 rushing), 1 interception, 1 fumble
Mikel Leshoure: 11 carries, 43 yards
Joique Bell: 8 carries, 40 yards
Kris Durham: 3 receptions, 41 yards
Calvin Johnson: 3 receptions, 31 yards
Packers
Aaron Rodgers: 5 of 8, 61 yards, 1 fumble
Alex Green: 4 carries, 26 yards
Randall Cobb: 4 receptions, 34 yards
Greg Jennings: 1 receptions, 27 yards
Mike Daniels: 43-yard fumble recovery for touchdown
Mason Crosby hit a 41-yard field goal to give the Packers a 27-17 lead with 4:02 left in regulation.
The Packers moved into scoring range after a 38-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers to Randall Cobb on a third and 11 at the Green Bay 37.
Lions cornerback Jacob Lacey left during the drive with what appeared to be a concussion. There isn’t any update at this time.
The Lions impressed early with their run game, but as they know all too well, it’s all about how you finish.
The Packers ran on all seven plays on a 59-yard touchdown drive to take a 24-17 lead with 10:54 left in the fourth quarter.
Alex Green led the way with four carries for 27 yards. Then Ryan Grant, re-signed this week, had a 13-yard run.
Second-year running back DuJuan Harris added a 5-yard run then punched in the score with an easy 14-yard run up the middle.
Nick Fairley likely kept this a tie game.
On a simple bull rush, the Lions defensive tackle pushed Packers left guard Evan Dietrich-Smith right into Aaron Rodgers for an 8-yard sack on third and 10.
The lost yardage led to a 51-yard field goal attempt by Mason Crosby that just missed wide left.
With 3:24 left in the third quarter, it’s still 17-17.
And there goes the lead.
The Packers have scored 17 unanswered points to take a 17-14 lead against the Lions at Lambeau Field with 11:54 left in the third quarter.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers scrambled in the pocket before finding an alley on the right side for a 27-yard rushing touchdown. It was his first rushing touchdown of the season.
A 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty on Ndamukong Suh on a third and 6 moved the Packers into Lions territory.
The turnovers are starting to pile up.
After losing a fumble that the Packers took to the end zone, Matthew Stafford ended the Lions last drive with an interception.
Stafford threw short on a deep attempt to Kris Durham, and Packers cornerback Sam Shields read it perfectly to make the pick.
The Lions had reached the Green Bay 41 before the interception. Shields’ 32-yard return gives the Packers good field position at their own 45.
We’re inside the 2-minute warning with the Lions still up 14-10.
The snow deserves most of the blame for that last play.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had the ball slip out of his right hand before he attempted a screen pass, and Packers defensive end Mike Daniels took the fumble 43 yards for a touchdown.
After leading 14-0, the Lions advantage is down to 14-10 with 6:15 left in the first half.
The Packers are on the board.
Mason Crosby kicked a 49-yard field goal despite the slopped conditions to cut the Lions’ lead to 14-3 with 10:52 left in the second quarter.
According to NBC, the Lions’ 14-0 lead was their largest in Wisconsin since Nov. 20, 1988.
Lions defensive end Lawrence Jackson was limited in practice all week with a concussion, but it looks like he’s 100 percent.
On the Packers first offensive drive, Jackson had a sack-fumble on Aaron Rodgers that linebacker Stephen Tulloch recovered to give the Lions the ball at the Green Bay 21.
Winning the turnover battle would give the Lions a much better chance to win. They’re already up 7-0 as the first quarter ticks toward a close.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was a jack of all trades on their first drive against the Packers Sunday night.
Stafford was 3 for 3 for 17 yards. He threw a key block to spring a 22-yard run by Mike Thomas on a trick play that moved them inside the red zone. And on fourth and inches at the Green Bay 4, Stafford faked a handoff and rolled left into the end zone to give the Lions an early 7-0 lead.
The drive went 80 yards in 17 plays and took 7:44 off the clock. The Packers will start their first drive with 7:16 left in the first quarter.
The Green Bay forecast calls for off-and-on snow throughout Sunday night in addition to the few inches that fell throughout the day.
Although the weather will lead to some slipping and sliding at Lambeau Field, both the Lions and Packers will likely try to stick to the game plan because neither team is built for cold-weather football.
The Lions rank 22nd in the NFL averaging 103.6 rushing yards per game. The Packers are just one spot higher (105 yards per game), and James Starks, who led them in rushing the past four games, is out with a knee injury.
Both teams will likely try to develop the run game early in the snow, but don’t expect either side to abandon the pass, even with injuries in both receiving corps.
The Lions have the top passing attack in the league (313 yards per game), and the Packers rank No. 11 (246 yards per game).
Wide receiver Kris Durham, signed off the practice squad Tuesday, will start opposite Calvin Johnson for the Lions with both Ryan Broyles (knee) and Titus Young (knee) going on injured reserve.
The Packers will be without Jordy Nelson (hamstring), but Greg Jennings will play for the second straight week after missing seven straight games. James Jones and Randall Cobb will start at wide receiver for Green Bay, and the Lions will have to stop the lethal unit without safety Louis Delmas (knee).
Lions defensive end Cliff Avril said this week the snow won’t give either team an advantage even if the Packers have more experience in it. Either way, Avril will have to win his matchup against Packers undrafted rookie Don Barclay, who’s making his first start at right tackle.
When Aaron Rodgers has been sacked five or more times this season, the Packers are 1-3, so a win for the Lions defensive line could be the difference.
The turnover battle will also be worth watching as possession will be even more important in the conditions. The Packers are +6 in turnover differential this season, and the Lions are -5.
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