Lions Beat Packers 20–17: Jake Bates' Walk-Off Field Goal Ends NFC North Thriller

Representative editorial photograph, not the reported game or players. Photo: Wendy Wei / Pexels (Pexels free-use license).

DETROIT, Oct. 25, 2026 — The Detroit Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers 20–17 at Ford Field on Sunday, with kicker Jake Bates making a 22-yard field goal as time expired. The result gave Detroit a successful start to its NFC North schedule and ended Green Bay's three-game winning streak.

How Detroit won the game

The closing minutes supplied two sharp reversals. Detroit failed to convert a fourth-down attempt in its own territory, giving Green Bay a chance to move in front with the game tied. The Packers advanced into field-goal range, but a 35-yard attempt by Trey Smack was blocked by D.J. Wonnum with 3:21 left. That stop returned possession to the Lions with enough time to build a controlled final drive.

Detroit then moved 71 yards in 10 plays. A Jared Goff completion to Sam LaPorta helped the drive, while a roughing-the-passer penalty and an offside penalty gave the offense additional opportunities. Rather than rushing for a late touchdown and handing the ball back, Jahmyr Gibbs deliberately stayed inbounds and allowed the clock to run. Bates converted the short kick on the final play.

Jared Goff and Detroit's receivers by the numbers

Goff completed 22 of 32 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns. Both scores went to Jameson Williams, who caught five passes for 91 yards. Amon-Ra St. Brown was the largest receiving-yardage contributor, finishing with nine catches for 153 yards. The passing performance mattered because Green Bay continued to create difficult situations even when Detroit moved the ball efficiently.

Gibbs supplied 116 rushing yards, according to the game reporting. Detroit's defense also limited Green Bay to 60 rushing yards. Jordan Love finished 27-for-45 for 274 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Those figures underline why the game remained close despite the Lions' stronger yardage production.

The two late plays that changed the result

The blocked field goal was the decisive defensive moment, but it was only half of the finish. Detroit still had to travel the field without leaving time for a Green Bay response. The Lions used short gains, clock management and penalties to move into position, and Bates completed the sequence.

Brian Branch also recorded an important fourth-quarter interception. His return to the lineup added another notable dimension to the win, but the most immediate effect on the scoreboard came from the special-teams block and the final drive.

What the Week 7 result means

Detroit improved to 4–2, while Green Bay dropped to 4–3. One game does not settle a division race, but a head-to-head win can matter later when teams have similar records. Detroit's next scheduled opponent is Minnesota on November 1, according to the team's official recap.

For fans searching for the Lions–Packers final score, the key facts are straightforward: Detroit 20, Green Bay 17; Jake Bates' winning kick came from 22 yards; Goff threw for 303 yards; and Jameson Williams caught both Lions passing touchdowns. This is an independently written summary of the documented game, not live play-by-play coverage.

Sources and verification

NewsTrendus independently wrote this account from the linked primary and corroborating reports. The photograph is licensed representative imagery, not a photograph of the actual teams or event.

• Detroit Lions official Week 7 recap
• NFL: Jared Goff Week 7 highlights and statistics
• Reuters: Lions snap Packers winning streak

Editorial note: Statistics and injury descriptions are based on information available October 26, 2026. Later official updates may change a player's medical status. Corrections can be requested through the NewsTrendus contact page.