Packers’ Defense Shines in 13-3 Win Over Lions
DETROIT (AP) — The Green Bay Packers leaned on their defense to take down the Detroit Lions 13-3 on Sunday at Ford Field, inching closer to clinching the NFC North title.
In a game dominated by defensive play, the only touchdown came courtesy of cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who picked off Jared Goff in the second quarter and returned it 69 yards for a score.
"That’s what we needed today," said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. "We didn’t have our best stuff offensively, but our defense stepped up in a big way.”
Green Bay (10-3) managed just two field goals on offense, with new kicker Randy Bullock connecting from 30 and 36 yards. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw for 145 yards but was unable to find the end zone against a stingy Lions defense.
Detroit (7-6) struggled even more on offense, amassing just 212 total yards. Jared Goff finished the day with 156 passing yards and an interception, as the Packers' relentless pressure kept him off balance.
"This one’s on me," said Goff. "I’ve got to be better, especially when our defense is giving us chances.”
With the win, Green Bay is now just one victory away from clinching the NFC North title, a feat they could achieve as early as next week. Meanwhile, the Lions’ playoff hopes took a hit as they face a critical stretch in the closing weeks of the season.
Bears Stun 49ers in San Francisco, 27-24
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The Chicago Bears pulled off a shocking upset on Sunday, edging the San Francisco 49ers 27-24 at Levi’s Stadium. A strong performance by 49ers quarterback Jordan Love wasn’t enough to overcome a resilient Bears team that made key plays in crunch time.
Love was sensational for most of the game, throwing for 360 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. However, his heroics were overshadowed by a crucial fourth-quarter sack that derailed San Francisco’s final drive and sealed their defeat.
"Jordan played lights out for us," said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
The 49ers (8-5) led 21-20 headed into the fourth quarter. However, Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams responded with a 68-yard drive, capped by a D'Andre Swift touchdown run to put the Bears ahead for good with under two minutes to play.
The loss dents the 49ers’ hopes of securing home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs. Meanwhile, the Bears celebrated a victory in what has been a up and down season, showcasing a glimpse of their potential against one of the league’s top teams.
Chargers Fall to Chiefs, 31-29, as Playoff Hopes Fade
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers let another opportunity slip away on Sunday, falling 31-29 to the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The loss drops the Chargers to 6-7 on the season, pushing their playoff aspirations to the brink.
Los Angeles had a chance to seize control late in the game. Trailing by two, quarterback Will Levis led the Chargers into Kansas City territory in the final minutes. However, a critical sack by Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis derailed the drive, forcing a fourth-and-long situation that the Chargers couldn’t convert.
"We had the chance to win, but we didn’t execute in key moments," said Chargers head coach Bobby Slowik. "It’s frustrating, but we’re not giving up on this season.”
The Chiefs (9-4) all but locked up the AFC West with the win, their dominance in the division continuing. The Chargers, meanwhile, face long odds to make the playoffs. They likely need to win at least three of their final four games and receive help from other results around the league.
"We’ve got to take it one game at a time and control what we can," said Levis. "It’s not over until it’s over.”
With their backs against the wall, the Chargers will look to regroup next week as they try to salvage a season that began with so much promise.
