Kerby Joseph scored on a 27-yard interception return and the Detroit Lions converted two fourth downs into touchdowns as they continued one of the best starts in franchise history by beating the Green Bay Packers 24-14 on Sunday.
The NFC North-leading Lions are 7-1 for the first time since 1956. They withstood the second-quarter ejection of safety Brian Banks and won at Lambeau Field for a third straight year, thriving on a rainy and windy day.
Detroit took the lead for good on the first play of the second quarter when Jared Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 3-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal. Jahmyr Gibbs capped the opening drive of the second half by rushing for a 15-yard touchdown on fourth-and-1 to extend the Lions’ lead to 24-3.
Goff had another efficient day, finishing 18 of 22 for 145 yards.
Green Bay’s Jordan Love went 23 of 39 for 273 yards with an interception, one week after he left in the third quarter of a 30-27 victory at Jacksonville with a groin strain. Jayden Reed had five catches for 113 yards and Josh Jacobs rushed for 95 yards.
The Packers (6-3) outgained the Lions 411 yards to 261. Green Bay drove inside Detroit’s 35-yard line on three possessions without scoring. The Packers’ four trips to the red zone resulted in one touchdown and two field goals.
This game turned late in the second quarter, with Detroit’s starting safeties playing featured roles.
Green Bay trailed 7-3 when Branch was ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers receiver Bo Melton during a pass incompletion near Green Bay’s sideline. Branch also drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for gesturing to the Lambeau Field crowd, giving the Packers a first down at the Detroit 32 rather than facing third-and-20 from their own 38.
But the Packers failed to capitalize on the situation. Their drive ended with Brandon McManus sending a 46-yard field-goal attempt wide left. Detroit marched down the field on its next series and extended its lead to 10-3 on Jake Bates’ 27-yard field goal.
Green Bay got the ball back with less than a minute left in the half. Facing second-and-2 from Green Bay’s 38, Love rolled right under pressure and threw a ball directly to Joseph, who caught it with arms outstretched and raced down the Lions sideline to the end zone.
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Joseph’s pick-6 was his sixth interception of the season, tying Green Bay’s Xavier McKinney for the NFL lead. He’s picked off a pass in five of Detroit’s last six games and became the first safety to intercept at least 14 passes through his first three seasons since Hall of Famer Ed Reed did it from 2002-04.
Joseph has four interceptions against the Packers.
Green Bay opened the game with a 14-play drive that lasted nearly eight minutes but settled for McManus’ 30-yard field goal.
Then the Lions scored the next 24 points to take control.
McManus kicked a 38-yard field goal in the final minute of the third quarter. Emanuel Wilson scored on a 2-yard run and Love threw a 2-point conversion pass to Christian Watson to make it 24-14 with 3:49 left, but Detroit recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.
— Steve Megargee in Green Bay, Wis.
Minnesota Vikings 21, Indianapolis Colts 13
Sam Darnold overcame four sacks and three turnovers by throwing three second-half touchdown passes, and the Minnesota Vikings defense made Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco’s return to the starting role a rough one as the Vikings beat the Colts 21-13 on Sunday night.
Justin Jefferson had 137 receiving yards, Jordan Addison made a one-handed diving grab in the back corner of the end zone to get the Vikings (6-2) on the board after a sloppy and scoreless first half, and Jalen Nailor had the tiebreaking touchdown reception to help them stop a two-game skid.
Kenny Moore II had a 38-yard fumble return in the second quarter, the only touchdown for the Colts (4-5) in their first game all season that wasn’t decided by six points or fewer.
Flacco replaced Anthony Richardson, with the 2023 fourth overall NFL draft pick struggling badly and becoming the self-created subject of a week of hot takes after taking himself out for a play last week because he was tired.
The AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award winner with the Cleveland Browns last season after he came off his couch past midseason to help them make the playoffs, Flacco went 16 for 27 for 179 yards and one interception.
He moved the Colts to the Vikings 40 midway through the fourth quarter facing a 14-10 deficit, but Harrison Smith, who recovered an opening-drive fumble by Jonathan Taylor, broke up consecutive passes to force a turnover on downs.
Darnold, who finished 28 for 34 for 290 yards, hit Josh Oliver for the game-sealing score with 2:05 left.
The Vikings set an NFL record two years ago by rallying from a 33-0 halftime deficit to beat the Colts 39-36 in overtime, and their first half was eerily similar to that game. The convenient difference was they only trailed by a touchdown, after limiting the Colts to 92 yards on 20 plays.
Will Reichard, who started his rookie season by making his first 34 kicks, became the last regular in the league to miss by pulling a 53-yard field goal try wide right. Then his 31-yarder bounced off the right upright.
Darnold spoiled a promising first possession for the Vikings with an on-the-run, across-his-body throw to T.J. Hockenson in double coverage that was intercepted in the end zone by Zaire Franklin.
After Byron Murphy picked off Flacco in the fourth quarter, Darnold gave it right back when Nick Cross undercut an overeager throw to Jefferson.
The Vikings welcomed Hockenson back from the knee injury that ended his 2023 season prematurely, and Darnold wasted no time looking for his long-haired and limber-bodied tight end. Hockenson’s third-down catch that would’ve moved the chains was erased by a holding penalty on left tackle Cam Robinson, who was hastily acquired this week after a season-ending knee injury to standout Christian Darrisaw.
The Colts have a dangerous defensive line, no matter who’s blocking, and their pressure up the middle was a problem for Darnold. Grover Stewart steamrolled center Garrett Bradbury on a dropback near midfield and dislodged the ball as he slammed Darnold to the turf for Moore to scoop up for the score.
Stewart, whose forearm grazed Darnold’s facemask with so much force that it knocked him down, was initially flagged for the hit. The penalty was waved off.
— Dave Campbell in Minneapolis.