The Detroit Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers by a final score of 20-16 on Sunday Night Football, and while the team didn’t make the playoffs as a result of their victory, they did manage to achieve Head Coach Dan Campbell’s goal for the weekend considering the circumstances: knocking Green Bay out of the playoffs.
The Lions did it despite converting just 4 of 12 first downs, holding Aaron Rodgers to 205 yards with one touchdown and one interception on the evening.
Detroit outgained Green Bay by a final tally of 323 yards to 291 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per play to Green Bay’s 5.1.
Despite not making the playoffs, Lions fans and players were buzzing after the game.
Aidan Hutchinson, the former #2 overall pick and Michigan Wolverine, savored a ‘Lambeau Leap’ with Lions fans in the historic stadium, while running back Jamaal Williams went viral nationwide for his eccentric Sunday Night Football intro based on a popular cartoon that isn’t so well known among football fans.
Now, it has been revealed that the Lions turned in a record-setting performance, not for their play on the field, but for the amount of eyeballs glued to the television off of the field.
Lions vs. Packers Game Sets Record
According to Brad Galli, a sports reporter from WXYZ-7 Detroit, the Lions vs. Packers game on Sunday was the most watched Sunday Night Football finale in six years.
The game averaged 23.4 million viewers, cementing the Lions as one of the country’s new favorite teams.
Galli said in the comments section of his post he believes the Lions will receive more prime time games next season following their stellar performance under the bright lights.
“Great way to end the season,” wrote commenter Darrin Llewellyn about the team.
“Hopefully the Lions will get the respect they deserve from around the league, including officiating.”
“The Thanksgiving game had high ratings, and so did Hard Knocks….hope the NFL is taking notes,” wrote another commenter named Ryan Nurmi.
