The Detroit Lions were looking for the first season sweep of the Green Bay Packers since 1991, but Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers would not allow that as he completed a Hail Mary touchdown to Richard Rodgers with no time left on the clock to give Green Bay a 27-23 victory at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. That sparked a three-game winning streak for the Lions, who suddenly find themselves harboring postseason aspirations as they prepare to host the skidding Packers in Sunday’s rematch.
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The Detroit Lions played 60 minutes of good football against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night, yet still came up short.
The penalty gave Rodgers a chance for one more untimed play and a Hail Mary to the end zone, and the Lions defended it poorly.
With time expiring, the Green Bay Packers ran the typical lateral, desperation play hoping to luck their way into a touchdown. But Rodgers is the guy they’re banking on being their big-play tight end and he’ll need to build off this performance.
“I think a little karma was saved up after the no P.I.” said Rodgers, who passed for 273 yards and two touchdowns and also scored on a 17-yard scramble as Green Bay rallied from a 20-point deficit. It’s tough to get beat on a Hail Mary on the last play of the game, end of regulation, ” Taylor said.
Lions Coach Jim Caldwell made a big gamble on fourth-and-2. Running back James Starks fumbled at the Lions’ 5-yard-line, but the ball bounced forward, and wide receiver Randall Cobb pounced on it in the end zone. But the Detroit penalty extended the game and Green Bay pulled off the miracle. It was the second time Rodgers had touched the ball on the play, having gotten it back after two other Packers tossed it around.
TIGHT ENDS: C A quiet night from the tight ends, with Eric Ebron catching the only two passes for the group, totaling nine yards.
Aaron Rodgers led the Lions fightback when he scored on a 17-yard run with 3:04 left.
Rodgers escaped the rush and threw towards the endzone, where Richard Rodgers peeled off his man and leaped to bring in the ball for the miraculous score to hand his team the victory.
Although the Lions’ four remaining games are against teams with losing records, wedging their way into the playoff conversation will be almost impossible at this rate. Three plays later, Rodgers sidearmed a touchdown pass to Davante Adams, and just like that it was 20-14. The only time they hit the front was after the clock had stopped.
Aaron Rodgers scrambled long enough to give his receivers time to sprint to the end zone and got to the outside. After a Packers punt, rookie running back Ameer Abdullah scampered 36 yards to put the Lions on the Green Bay 11-yard-line. Later, they answered two rapid-fire Green Bay scores with another lengthy scoring drive. However, Devin Taylor quickly swallowed up Aaron Rodgers, pulling him to the ground and ending the game.
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St. Louis quarterback Case Keenum has not been cleared to play as he recovers from a concussion and the Rams will start Nick Foles at quarterback for the second straight week. His first sack stalled a Green Bay drive, and K Mason Crosby then missed a 41-yard field goal try.
