Detroit Lions lose to Packers 23-20, await draft positioning

Mercifully, the Detroit Lions’ 2019 season is over after yet another heartbreaking loss. They finish 3-12-1, their worst record since 2009.

Once again, an improbable win looked like a possibility for the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Instead, they gave an old nemesis too much time, and now they will have to regroup after a dreadful season.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers found running back Aaron Jones for a 31-yard catch-and-run which set up Mason Crosby’s game-winning field goal as time expired, and the Lions fell to the Green Bay Packers 23-20 in their 2019 finale. It’s the second time this year that Crosby has beaten the Lions with a last-second kick.

Detroit once again held a late lead, but a depleted roster proved incapable of hanging with the NFC North Champions for 60 minutes. With the win, the Packers secure a first-round bye in this year’s playoffs.

The season-ending numbers are not pretty for the Lions. They lose nine in a row to end the year, their worst skid since losing eight straight in 2012. They go 0-6 in their division, also for the first time since 2012. They win a single game after the month of September. They have shaved three wins off of their record each year since winning nine games in 2017.

The Lions went deep into their bag of tricks on their second series, connecting on a 19-yard touchdown reception to quarterback David Blough from receiver Danny Amendola. It was Amendola’s second career touchdown pass.

They added a short touchdown run by running back Kerryon Johnson and a Matt Prater field goal late in the second quarter to build an improbable 17-3 lead at halftime. Johnson’s score was his first since Week 6.

The Packers finally got into the end zone late in the third quarter thanks to a 20-yard scoring reception from wideout Davante Adams.

After the Packers cut the lead to 17-13, Prater drilled a 56-yard bomb to establish a seven-point lead. Blough, though, was picked off by linebacker Blake Martinez on the Lions’ next drive. The Packers capitalized, as Rodgers hit receiver Allen Lazard for a 28-yard game-tying touchdown.

The Lions went three-and-out on their final drive, allowing Rodgers to march the Packers down the field on their game-winning drive. He finished 27/55 for 323 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick.

Blough, starting his fifth straight game for the Lions, went 12/29 for 122 yards and an interception. The Lions went 0-5 in his starts.

Kenny Golladay led the Lions with 72 receiving yards before leaving with a concussion in the first half. Rookie tailback Ty Johnson led the Lions with a career-high 65 rushing yards.

Depending on the outcome of Sunday’s late game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins, the Lions with gain either the second or third selection in the 2020 draft.