(CBS DETROIT) — Kerby Joseph scored on a 27-yard interception return and the Detroit Lions converted two fourth downs into touchdowns as they continued one of the best starts in franchise history by beating the Green Bay Packers 24-14 on Sunday.
The NFC North-leading Lions are 7-1 for the first time since 1956. They withstood the second-quarter ejection of safety Brian Banks and won at Lambeau Field for a third straight year, thriving on a rainy and windy day.
Detroit took the lead for good on the first play of the second quarter when Jared Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 3-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal. Jahmyr Gibbs capped the opening drive of the second half by rushing for a 15-yard touchdown on fourth-and-1 to extend the Lions' lead to 24-3.
Goff had another efficient day, finishing 18 of 22 for 145 yards.
Green Bay's Jordan Love went 23 of 39 for 273 yards with an interception, one week he left in the third quarter of a 30-27 victory at Jacksonville with a groin strain. Jayden Reed had five catches for 113 yards and Josh Jacobs rushed for 95 yards.
The Packers (6-3) outgained the Lions 411 yards to 261. Green Bay drove inside Detroit's 35-yard line on three possessions without scoring. The Packers' four trips to the red zone resulted in one touchdown and two field goals.
This game turned late in the second quarter, with Detroit's starting safeties playing featured roles.
Green Bay trailed 7-3 when Branch was ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers receiver Bo Melton during a pass incompletion near Green Bay's sideline. Branch also drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for gesturing to the Lambeau Field crowd, giving the Packers a first down at the Detroit 32 rather than facing third-and-20 from their own 38.
But the Packers failed to capitalize on the situation. Their drive ended with Brandon McManus sending a 46-yard field-goal attempt wide left. Detroit marched down the field on its next series and extended its lead to 10-3 on Jake Bates' 27-yard field goal.
Green Bay got the ball back with less than a minute left in the half. Facing second-and-2 from Green Bay's 38, Love rolled right under pressure and threw a ball directly to Joseph, who caught it with arms outstretched and raced down the Lions sideline to the end zone.
Joseph's pick-6 was his sixth interception of the season, tying Green Bay's Xavier McKinney for the NFL lead. He's picked off a pass in five of Detroit's last six games and became the first safety to intercept at least 14 passes through his first three seasons since Hall of Famer Ed Reed did it from 2002-04.
Joseph has four interceptions against the Packers.
Green Bay opened the game with a 14-play drive that lasted nearly eight minutes but settled for McManus' 30-yard field goal.
Then the Lions scored the next 24 points to take control.
McManus kicked a 38-yard field goal in the final minute of the third quarter. Emanuel Wilson scored on a 2-yard run and Love threw a 2-point conversion pass to Christian Watson to make it 24-14 with 3:49 left, but Detroit recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.
The Lions visit the Houston Texans in a Sunday night battle on Nov. 10.
Packers score rushing touchdown late in fourth quarter
Packers running back Emanuel Wilson scored a 2-yard rushing touchdown with just under four minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Green Bay converted a 2-point attempt after the touchdown, but the Lions still lead 24-14.
Packers kick field goal
Packers kicker Brandon McManus kicked a 38-yard field goal toward the end of the third quarter.
The Lions lead Green Bay 24-6.
Jahmyr Gibbs scores rushing touchdown
The Detroit Lions now lead the Green Bay Packers 24-3 after a 15-yard rushing touchdown from Jahmyr Gibbs.
Lions safety Brian Branch ejected after helmet-to-helmet hit
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was ejected Sunday at Green Bay after delivering a helmet-to-helmet hit to Packers receiver Bo Melton.
Branch hit Melton near the Packers sideline after Jordan Love tried to connect with him on a deep pass on second-and-20 in the second quarter. Branch was flagged for unnecessary roughness, and then the hit was deemed serious enough to warrant an ejection.
Kerby Joseph scores pick-6 for Lions
Lions safety Kerby Joseph intercepted a pass thrown by Jordan Love with less than a minute left in the second quarter and ran the ball 27 yards for a defensive touchdown.
Following a successful extra point from kicker Jake Bates, the Lions lead the Packers 17-3 with 32 seconds left in the quarter.
Joseph now has six interceptions this season.
Bates hits 27-yard field goal
The Lions increased their lead towards the end of the second quarter after a 27-yard field goal from kicker Jake Bates.
Detroit leads Green Bay 10-3 with 58 seconds left in the first half.
St. Brown puts Lions in the lead
Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown puts Detroit in the lead after a 3-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff.
The Lions lead 7-3 with just under 14 minutes left in the first quarter.
Packers kick field goal, lead Lions 3-0
Packers kicker Brandon McManus scored the first points of the game.
He kicked a 30-yard field goal in rainy conditions to put Green Bay on top 3-0 with just over seven minutes left in the first quarter.
Goff named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October
Lions quarterback Jared Goff is going into Sunday's game as the reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Month.
In October, the 30-year-old completed 80% of his passes and threw just 13 incompletions (52-of-65 passing) for 680 yards and eight touchdowns to record a 149.8 rating.
Read more about Goff's latest accolade here.