Packers beat Lions 30-20 to win NFC North division

Detroit earns No. 6 seed in NFC

GREEN BAY, Wisc. – Jim Caldwell's first season in Detroit was a resounding success, but the Lions couldn't add an NFC North division title to his resume Sunday as they fell to the Packers 30-20 in Green Bay.

The Lions fell down 14-0 early, but fought back to tie the game in the third quarter with GB quarterback Aaron Rodgers sidelined by a calf injury. But the MVP candidate returned to lead his offense to two touchdowns in three drives to put the game out of reach.

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After a blocked 51-yard field goal, the Lions looked ready to get back into the game, trailing 21-14. But a Joique Bell fumble on a handoff on the very next play set up a Rodgers one-yard TD run to put the game away.

The Lions scored a quick touchdown on a Stafford pass to Theo Riddick after a Packers safety, and Bell appeared to convert the two-point conversion to cut the lead to 30-22 with 1:45 remaining. But the call was overturned and Detroit was forced to try an onside kick down 30-20. Green Bay recovered to seal the deal.

Matt Stafford connected with Calvin Johnson on two beautiful throws for touchdowns. But the young QB was not sharp throughout the evening, overthrowing and under-throwing receivers on nearly every drive. He finished the game 20/41 for 217 yards and three touchdowns.

Bell finished the game with 60 yards rushing on 13 carries.

Detroit will now earn the No. 6 seed in the NFC and travel to Dallas in the first round for a matchup with the 12-4 Cowboys, who went 4-4 at home this season.

The Cowboys are playing their best football at the end of the season, currently riding a four-game winning streak. The two teams last met in 2013 at Ford Field, when the Lions mounted a huge comeback to win 31-30.

If the Lions beat the Cowboys, reseeding will send them to Seattle to play the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks.