The Detroit Lions needed a little extra time but in the end got the desired result against the New York Giants Sunday.
A Jake Bates 59-yard field goal with just 33 seconds left in regulation tied the game at 27-27 after Detroit's defense came up with a huge fourth-and-goal stop with less than three minutes left in the game trailing by a field goal.
In OT, New York won the toss and elected to kick to Detroit. Detroit's offense needed just one play as Jahmyr Gibbs took the first handoff 69 yards for his third touchdown of the contest to give Detroit a 34-27 lead.
From there it was up to Detroit's defense. New York converted a 4th & 10 to stay alive early in their first possession but facing a 4th & 5 a little later, Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson came up with the biggest play of the game, sacking Giants quarterback Jameis Winston to preserve a hard-fought 34-27 OT win for Detroit.
The win improves the Lions' record to 7-4 on the season as they've now won 14 straight games coming off a loss the previous week. It was an important win for the Lions as both Chicago (8-3) and Green Bay (6-3-1) also won Sunday, the two teams currently ahead of them in the NFC North standings.
The Lions got three touchdowns from Gibbs, two on the ground (49 & 69) and one on a 3-yard reception. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had the other Lions touchdown with an 11-yard catch in the second quarter. Bates was a perfect 2-for-2 kicking field goals and 4-for-4 on extra points.
QB comparison: Lions quarterback Jared Goff finished 28-for-42 passing for 279 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and a 91.3 rating.
Winston completed 18 of his 36 passes for 366 yards with two touchdowns, one interception (Thomas Harper) and a 93.1 rating.
Big moment: Trailing 27-24 with under three minutes left in the game, the Lions' defense came up with a huge stop on a 4th & goal from their own 6-yard line to preserve the three-point deficit and give their offense a chance to tie or win the game late in regulation.
The offense maneuvered their way into Giants territory to give Bates a 59-yard field goal try that he hit with just 33 seconds left to send the game into overtime.
Key stat: Detroit will have to shore up their pass defense on a short week with Green Bay coming to town for Thursday's Thanksgiving Day Classic. Detroit allowed 366 passing yards Sunday and ten explosive passes of 20-plus yards.
Star performer: Gibbs had another terrific game for the Lions, rushing 15 times for 219 yards with two touchdowns. He also caught 11 passes for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Gibbs has now produced his 12th career multi-touchdown game, passing Billy Sims (11) for the second-most by a Lions running back. He now has five career games with a rushing and receiving touchdown, tied with Barry Sanders for the most in franchise history.
Injury report: Wide receiver and kick returner Kalif Raymond left the game late in the third quarter with an ankle injury and did not return.
Up next: vs. Green Bay (7-3-1), Thurs., Nov. 27, 1 p.m.
