The Detroit Lions finally got Tim Patrick on the score sheet, and his boost in confidence and production shows that he could become a trusted target at a key moment in the season.

Entering this season, many wondered if the Detroit Lions had a lingering hole at wide receiver. Week by week, Tim Patrick has done his best to fill that void.

Patrick was cut by the Denver Broncos after a productive yet injury-riddled career there, and it didn't take the Lions long to snag him in free agency. While it's taken time for Patrick to get acclimated, he proved how valuable he can be down the stretch with a big effort against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.

With two touchdowns among his six catches for 43 yards, Patrick was a big reason the Lions were able to defeat the Packers 34-31. Without those scores in a back and forth game, it's possible that Detroit would never have been in position to close Green Bay out with a field goal.

Patrick was given a game ball for his efforts by Dan Campbell, and made it clear in his impromptu speech that he appreciates what the franchise has done to build him up.

"Thank you guys, man. Thank you for embracing me", Patrick said. "It's been a hell of a ride the past two years, and I wouldn't want to go on this ride with anyone else but y'all. Appreciate y'all boys."

Last season, the Lions relied on Josh Reynolds for clutch catches in the No. 3 wide receiver spot. More often than not, he delivered. Patrick, a similarly big-bodied player, has stepped into that role perfectly. To see him become embraced as a red zone target in Week 14 shows his evolution is coming at the perfect time.

If there's one person who understands the impact Patrick has made since he joined the team, it's Jared Goff. No matter the stats he puts up, Patrick has delivered in other ways.

"Today seemed like his day down there in the red zone and he's been so consistent since he got here as far as unselfish blocks, doing everything right and he hasn't gotten a touchdown", Goff said. "What week are we in, 14? Whatever it is, (he) hasn't got a touchdown until (Thursday) and he had two of them. He deserves it, man. He's a stud and I'm so happy he's on our team."

Now that Patrick feels more comfortable, he is lined up to be an X-factor down the stretch for the Lions. Thursday night could be looked back on as the starting point.