DETROIT – Players and coaches filed in one by one in street clothes, found their seats and gathered for a final team meeting. It was the day before a highly anticipated division game against their rivals. They should hear from their head coach. Instead, the lights went out. The projector began playing a film clip – a raid scene from The Last of the Mohicans. It would set the tone for what was to come.

You see, the Lions had their backs against the wall. Despite an 11-1 start, they had little to no breathing room in their division – arguably the best since the NFL/AFL merger. This was Detroit’s third game in 11 days. The team’s injury report read like a novel. Star players, key starters, meaningful depth. To make up for their absence, they relied on the people who had arrived just a few days ago to still find their way around the building. And the simple truth is that no one feels sorry for them. Nor should they.

That’s why head coach Dan Campbell – a motivator extraordinaire – began Wednesday’s meeting with the scene. The Green Bay Packers expected to come here and host one in their building. To disturb their peace. Campbell wanted war. And he got it.

“You get knocked down, you move on and you just send it,” offensive tackle Dan Skipper said of the message behind the meeting as he exited the locker room after Detroit’s season-clinching 34-31 win over the Packers. “This one was just crammed.”

Admittedly, players and coaches have heard the narratives that went into this game. The Lions were shorthanded. A season for the ages had a chance of derailing. A loss to Green Bay and they would no longer be in control of their own destiny should others around them continue to win. Many were at risk of losing control of the NFC North and the top of the conference in general.

To them it’s just noise.

“Excuse my language, but we don’t care what they say on the outside,” cornerback Carlton Davis said. “We don’t care. The talk shows, the analysts, it’s their job to hype it up, but it’s our job to stay focused and do what we do.”

Then came Thursday night – and a game that would prove to be one of the best of the 2024 season. The Detroit Lions 11-1 against the Green Bay Packers 9-3. Two NFC North heavyweights who could easily meet again later.

It’s hard to beat a team twice. The Lions got their first win with 24:14 in Green Bay. This time it would take everyone to make it happen.

It seemed like a play the Lions desperately needed from their offense. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Co. delivered. The Lions took a 17-7 lead at halftime, but the Packers trailed by 14 points in the first four minutes of the third quarter. But every time the offense needed a score to answer the Packers, they got one. When it mattered most, Johnson made some brilliant decisions in the red zone.

Two of those scores came from receiver Tim Patrick. Because of his history, it is a player who is easily attracted to him. A torn ACL in 2022. A torn Achilles tendon in 2023. A new beginning for a Lions team with Super Bowl aspirations. They gave him a chance. He rewarded them with two huge touchdowns on Thursday.

“What a great addition he was,” Campbell said. “He just continues to make plays for us in the run game and the passing game has improved a lot here.”

HIM PATRICK@Tpstreets pic.twitter.com/jgarxjLpSa

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 6, 2024

Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who held his defense together with rubber bands and duct tape, got just enough from his unit. At one point, you could look at this Detroit defense and see players like Kwon Alexander, Jamal Adams, Myles Adams, Jonah Williams and Ezekiel Turner – all guys who weren’t here at the start of the season. And while it might take some time to learn the terminology, these people are here because they fit into Detroit’s identity.

“It’s not the playbook that’s the most important thing for these guys to learn,” Glenn said this week. “It’s the style of play that we have – and it’s easy to learn because once you see it and when we show it to them, they understand and listen that that’s how we play.” We can shrink the playbook as much as we want we want to, but the way you play is the most important thing.”

Take linebacker Ezekiel Turner, for example. He joined the team in October. In each game he played out of necessity, he saw an increase in defensive snaps, with four linebackers on injured reserve. He was part of a makeshift defense tonight and faced one of the best offenses in football.

It was far from perfect, but the Lions held the Packers to seven points in the first half, doing their best. Glenn turned on the flash when he needed it. Davis forced a fumble that was recovered by linebacker David Long to set up a Lions field goal in a game decided by three points. In the second half, the defense had to play without defensive tackle Alim McNeill (header) and then without defensive back Brian Branch (cramps) – who left the game after Green Bay’s final possession and did not return, just as the Packers reached the red zone with 31-28 minutes left.

A touchdown could have decided the game. Instead, Turner proved why he’s here – by bringing down Jordan Love in a challenge, forcing a game-winning field goal.

“The first week of training I had here, I thought, ‘Okay, this is different than a lot of – probably every organization,'” Turner said of the culture in Detroit. “It’s intense, with a lot of attention to detail and you really have to prepare for every training session like you would a game. And you notice that. When the games come and even when there are new people out there, the standard is standard.”

Turner lived up to that claim on Thursday. A lot of people did it. This stop would give the Lions a chance to take the lead down the stretch as the offense took the field for one last attempt.

Early in the drive, quarterback Jared Goff found receiver Jameson Williams for a 19-yard gain, setting up a first down near midfield. Just before the two-minute warning, Goff faced a third-and-2 from the Green Bay 37 and found running back Jahmyr Gibbs on a screen for the first down.

Pushed back 10 yards after a holding penalty, the offense didn’t shy away. It reached three, then 16, then a no-win rush. Quarter-and-1. Less than a minute left. Decision time.

This is the value of Campbell. Most coaches line up for the field goal in this scenario, content to give the opposing team a chance to tie or take the lead. But two of Detroit’s touchdowns came from the decision to keep the offense on the field on fourth-and-goal. Without these points the team won’t be here. Even after a failed four-and-one attempt deep in their own territory, Campbell’s unwavering belief in his boys is the reason the players believe they can win against anyone in any scenario. Just like the one before them.

And so the attack happened. Goff fell during the delivery. There was a threat of catastrophe – except it wasn’t. David Montgomery stood behind his teammate, grabbed the ball and scored the first down.

Dark squad#GBvsDET | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/w8d70bweCv

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 6, 2024

That allowed the Lions to take their time in a situation they know all too well. Jake Bates completed some practice kicks, as he often does, alone on the sideline. He enjoys being alone in these moments. It’s his way of calming down and getting into the right headspace.

There would also be enough time to be with your teammates. Afterhis third decisive kick of the season.

BALL GAME#GBvsDET | 📺 @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/GSqqIUXUnk

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 6, 2024

This was a must-win game for the Lions to end the regular season. It officially secures a spot in the playoffs, but also gives them some much-needed breathing room. The Lions still have four games left. If they win three, they are guaranteed the No. 1 seed and the NFC North – no matter what the Eagles (10-2) and Vikings (10-2) do in their last five contests. They now have ten days to collect themselves before welcoming the Buffalo Bills in a possible Super Bowl preview.

“Program victory” is a term typically used in college football to describe a defining moment, typically for an up-and-coming team. But this isn’t college and the Lions are a Super Bowl contender. And yet it felt like one. Perhaps organizational profit is a better term. It took the front office, the coaching staff and the players on the field to make it happen.

Whatever you want to call it, it was one of the best wins of the Campbell era. There are many to choose from. Campbell’s first win – over the Vikings three years ago – is one. The Lions’ victory over the Packers in the 2022 regular season finale was a passing of the torch of sorts. Going to KC and beating the Chiefs on banner night to open the 2023 season is up there. Obviously two playoff wins last January.

Be careful of brick walls 🗣️ @Lions

(above @NFLonPrime) pic.twitter.com/7rH5IXEOmU

– NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2024

Each has its own special place in the hearts of those who helped make it happen. Few are as memorable to the group that made it as this one.

“That’s sweet,” Campbell said, pushing all the right buttons for the 12-1 Lions. “I told the team, ‘This will be one of those you never forget.'”

Hard after a night like that.

(Photo of Tim Patrick celebrating after a touchdown: Nic Antaya / Getty Images)