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NFL: Lions end Packers' playoff hopes

Aaron Rodgers passed for 205 yards with one touchdown but was intercepted on Green Bay's final drive.

NFL: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson, left, and cornerback Will Harris celebrate following a fumble recovery against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, at Lambeau Field. The Lions won 20-16 to keep the Packers out of the playoffs.
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports

Jamaal Williams scored on two short rushing touchdowns and the Detroit Lions eliminated the host Green Bay Packers from playoff contention with a 20-16 win on Sunday night.

Detroit's victory handed the Seattle Seahawks the final wild-card spot in the NFC. The Lions were eliminated from the playoff race when Seattle eked out a 19-16 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams earlier.

Williams, a former Packer, rushed for 72 yards. Jared Goff passed for 224 yards and Kalif Raymond caught four passes for 66 yards for Detroit (9-8).

Aaron Rodgers passed for 205 yards with one touchdown but was intercepted on Green Bay's final drive. Christian Watson caught five passes for 104 yards for the Packers (8-9).

The first half featured five field goals and ended with Green Bay clinging to a 9-6 lead.

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Aided by a pass interference penalty, the Packers scored on their first possession as Mason Crosby kicked a 22-yard field goal.

Green Bay went for it on fourth down in its own territory midway through the quarter but Allan Lazard was dropped for a loss. The Lions then settled for a 37-yard Michael Badgley field goal on their next drive.

Crosby made a 49-yard try late in the quarter and a 48-yarder early in the second to make it 9-3.

NFL: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson runs past Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Tork Mason / USA Today Sports

Badgley missed from 46 yards out with 6:16 minutes left in the half. He knocked through a 33-yard attempt on the last play of the half after the Packers were whistled for a personal foul.

Crosby had a 53-yard try bang off the crossbar and back toward the field of play early in the second half.

Detroit needed just three plays after the miss to score the game's first touchdown. A 43-yard pass from Goff to Raymond set up Williams' 1-yard run, giving Detroit a 13-9 lead.

A 45-yard pass to Watson set up Rodgers' 13-yard scoring strike to Lazard later in the quarter.

Detroit moved ahead once again on Williams' second 1-yard scoring run with 5:55 remaining. That completed a 13-play, 75-yard drive.

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Kerby Joseph intercepted Rodgers on Green Bay's final possession. The Lions then ran out the clock by picking up three first downs.

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This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here.

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