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The Top 10 NFL season finale games of the past decade

By Erik Lambert

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 30: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints is almost grabbed by Charles Johnson #95 of the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 30: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints is almost grabbed by Charles Johnson #95 of the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 1: Ty Montgomery #88 of the Green Bay Packers tires to escape the tackle of Miles Killebrew #35 of the Detroit Lions and Nevin Lawson #24 at Ford Field on January 1, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 1: Ty Montgomery #88 of the Green Bay Packers tires to escape the tackle of Miles Killebrew #35 of the Detroit Lions and Nevin Lawson #24 at Ford Field on January 1, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

06. Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (2016)

The Lions have a long history of not being able to deliver when it matters. Even though they were already going to the playoffs in 2016, there was still plenty for them to play for in Week 17. A win would hand them their first division championship since 1991. Beating the Packers, a team that had tormented them for years to do it would’ve been extra sweet.

Not only that but it also would’ve given them a home game. Something else they hadn’t experienced since the 1990s. It was a fun game for the first three quarters with both teams trading big plays. Detroit led 14-10 at the half but the Packers regained the lead by the start of the 4th quarter 23-17. The Lions had their opportunities to get it back but failed.

Green Bay put the nail in the coffin 31-17 with 2:50 left. Detroit did score to cut the lead to seven but by then it was too late. They ended up traveling to Seattle where they were blown out by the Seahawks. The Packers used that homefield advantage to blow out the Giants and rode that momentum to the NFC championship.

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