The Lions technically had nothing to play for Monday, with the Seahawks having defeated the Rams earlier in the day to eliminate Detroit from playoff contention even if they managed to beat the Packers. Would they lay back and let Aaron Rodgers and the Packers waltz into the playoffs?
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Not so much. The Lions defeated the Packers, 20-16, on “Sunday Night Football” to deny Green Bay their fourth straight playoff appearance. And Detroit safety Kerby Joseph — who sealed the game with an interception on Rodgers — made it clear that they enjoyed knocking their division rivals out of the playoffs.
“If we are not going y’all are not going either IDC,” Joseph tweeted after the game.
The Lions’ social media team also had plenty of fun, trolling Rodgers and teammate Aaron Jones for underestimating them after Monday’s game.
Joseph, a third-round rookie out of the University of Illinois, picked off a heave from Rodgers into double coverage on the Packers’ final offensive drive that was intended for rookie receiver Christian Watson. It was Joseph’s fourth pick of the season — and his third off Rodgers, with two more in their first meeting (also a Lions win).
The Packers, having won four straight games, had a win-and-in scenario on Sunday night, only needing to take out the Lions to advance to the playoffs as a wildcard team. But, facing the worst defense in the NFL in terms of yards per game, Green Bay scored 16 points — and just one touchdown.
Rodgers, whose comments after the game stirred speculation that he may retire in the offseason, threw for 205 yards with one touchdown and the game-clinching interception.
After starting the season 1-6, Detroit won eight of its final 10 games, finishing with a 9-8 record. And while they did not make the playoffs (they would have if the Seahawks lost to the Rams earlier Sunday), they ended Dan Campbell’s second season as head coach on a highly positive note. They also hold the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft due to the Matthew Stafford trade with the Rams.
This article first appeared on The New York Postand was reproduced with permission.
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