National Football League
Detroit 42, Denver 17
When: 8:15 PM ET, Saturday, December 16, 2023
Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Temperature: Dome
Head Official: John Hussey
Attendance: 64560

Jared Goff passed for 278 yards and a career-high tying five touchdowns, three to Sam LaPorta, as the host Detroit Lions rolled to a 42-17 over the Denver Broncos on Saturday night.

Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, and also had a receiving touchdown. Amon-Ra St. Brown had seven receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown as the Lions (10-4) moved closer to a playoff berth and division title.

Russell Wilson passed for 223 yards and a touchdown and added a rushing touchdown for the Broncos (7-7)

The Lions raced to a 21-0 halftime lead as Goff passed for 215 yards and three touchdowns.

Detroit was unable to take advantage of Isaiah Buggs' 33-yard return of a Wilson fumble in the first quarter.

The Lions' offense got on track in the second quarter. They drove 80 yards in eight plays to take the lead.

Goff connected with LaPorta for 17 yards and Josh Reynolds for 21 yards. Goff then completed a short pass to LaPorta, who cut to the left and scored on the 19-yard play.

After the Broncos went three-and-out, the Lions scored again. This 61-yard drive took six plays, beginning with Goff's 20-yard pass to Reynolds. Goff finished it off with a 9-yard completion over the middle to Gibbs.

The Lions finished off their big second quarter with an 81-yard scoring drive. Goff connected with St. Brown on a 29-yard gain. They also hooked up for the 15-yard score, with St. Brown somersaulting into the end zone.

Denver broke through on its first second-half possession with the aid of a 44-yard pass interference penalty. Wilson connected with Lil'Jordan Humphrey for a 3-yard touchdown.

The Lions responded with a 75-yard drive. Gibbs' 34-yard run set up Goff's 3-yard touchdown pass to LaPorta.

Will Lutz's 23-yard field goal in the final minute of the quarter made it 28-10.

Gibbs scored his second touchdown of the game with 12:12 remaining on a 12-yard run. Wilson plunged in from a yard out with 6:28 remaining.

Goff's 10-yard pass to LaPorta with 2:21 left completed the scoring.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
Rushing
Denver   Detroit
Samaje Perine Player Jahmyr Gibbs
6 Attempts 11
37 Yards 100
6.2 Avg Yards 9.1
0 Touchdowns 1
12 Long 34
Receiving
Denver   Detroit
Jerry Jeudy Player Amon-Ra St. Brown
3 Receptions 7
74 Yards 112
24.7 Avg Yards 16.0
0 Touchdowns 1
40 Long 29
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
Denver 287 83 204 2 1 0 2.0 0
Detroit 448 185 263 6 0 0 2.0 1
Upcoming Games
  • Detroit will play their next game on the road against Minnesota. The Lions have a W/L % of .600 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.
  • Denver will play their next game at home against New England. The Broncos have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .500 after a loss.