David Montgomery helps Lions top Packers, move into first in NFC North

[September 29, 2023]   David Montgomery rushed for 121 yards and a career-high three touchdowns and the Detroit Lions moved into first place in the NFC North with a 34-20 victory over the host Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.

Jared Goff completed 19 of 28 passes for 210 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Lions (3-1). Amon-Ra St. Brown caught a touchdown pass and Jerry Jacobs had two interceptions as Detroit won by 14 points for the second straight week.

Sep 28, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Love was 23-of-36 passing for 246 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for the Packers (2-2). Christian Watson caught a touchdown pass and Quay Walker racked up a career-high 19 tackles but also made a costly penalty in the fourth quarter.

It marked the fourth straight time in which the Lions defeated the Packers.

Green Bay had just 21 yards (on 22 plays) and three first downs while digging a 27-3 halftime deficit -- before showing life in the second half.

The Packers started the third quarter with a 12-play, 86-yard drive. It was capped by Love's 1-yard scoring pass to Watson and followed by the ensuing two-point conversion throw to Jayden Reed with 8:17 left in the quarter.

Green Bay cut the deficit to 27-17 on Love's 9-yard scamper with 14:52 remaining in the game. Love kept the ball on the two-point conversion run but was stopped short of the goal line.

Detroit's Riley Patterson kicked a 30-yard field goal with 8:10 left, but unsportsmanlike conduct was called on Walker for running forward and jumping over the Lions' line -- his right foot pressed into the back of Detroit long snapper Scott Daly during the leap.

The Lions took the points off the board and had a first down at the Green Bay 6-yard line. Four plays later, Montgomery scored on fourth-and-goal from the 1 to give Detroit a 34-17 lead with six minutes remaining.

Anders Carlson opened the scoring with a 34-yard field goal for the Packers before the Lions scored the final 27 points of the first half.

Goff tossed a 24-yard touchdown pass to St. Brown and Montgomery scored on a 3-yard run to give the Lions a 14-3 first-quarter advantage.

Patterson kicked a 33-yard field goal 53 seconds into the second quarter. After an interception by Jacobs, Montgomery scored from the 2 to make it 24-3 with 13:19 remaining in the half. Patterson tacked on a 37-yard field goal with 34 seconds left.

--Field Level Media

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