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— They didn’t make the playoffs, but the Detroit Lions might have accomplished something more important Sunday.
The Lions beat the Green Bay Packers in the final game of the NFL regular season, 20-16, in what could go down as a torch-snatching game in the NFC North.
With nothing to play for but pride, and to keep the division’s most dominant team for the past three decades out of the playoffs, the Lions rallied for their eighth win in 10 games behind a record-breaking performance from Jamaal Williams.
At 9-8, the Lions finished with a winning record for the first time since 2017. They won eight of their final 10 games after a 1-6 start, and with a young roster and two first-round picks in April’s draft, should enter the 2023 season as most pundits’ favorite to win the division.
Williams ran for two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 5:55 to play, to break Barry Sanders’ franchise touchdown record, became the first Lions running back to top 1,000 yards in nine seasons, and did it all against his old team.
Williams scored the game’s first touchdown with 8:05 left in the third quarter after a defensive struggle in the first half.
The Lions and Packers traded field goal attempts in sub-freezing temperatures for the first 30 minutes, with Green Bay taking a 9-6 lead into halftime.
Williams scored on the Lions’ second possession of the second half, after Packers coach Matt LaFleur made the risky decision to try a 53-yard field goal.
