The range was extreme-NFL record-keeping on this is spotty, but it’s the longest game-winning pass on record-but Aaron Rodgers’s arm was capable, Richard Rodgers’s hands were sure, and the Lions contributed their bad luck and bad coverage to create one of the most unbelievable endings you’ll ever see.
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“I think he’s got me beat, because of the scenario”, Rodgers Sr. said Friday in a phone conversation.
But McCarthy needed the Hail Mary to work this time, and the Detroit Lions gave Richard Rodgers a bit too much room in the front of the end zone.
On third-and-10, the final play of the game, Aaron Rodgers completed a pass to James Jones, who lateraled it to Richard Rodgers, who threw it back to Aaron. The Lions were flagged for a facemask on that tackle, however, and the Pack got one more shot with no time left on the clock. I can’t believe Richard got it.
There was no need for all that.
McCarthy deemed the unlikely victory Green Bay’s “greatest regular-season win” since he took over as head coach a decade ago.
Green Bay scored again with just over four minutes left in the quarter after forcing a turnover.
Rodgers Jr., who like Aaron Rodgers also played at Cal, has become a solid National Football League tight end and a key part of Green Bay’s offense.
Then, a face mask penalty put the Packers in close enough range to deliver a Hail Mary…which Rodgers delivered in miraculous and grand style. All Detroit had to do on the previous play was tackle Green Bay before a player reached the end zone and without committing a penalty.
Aaron Rodgers finished the contest 24-of-36 for 273 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception, while Richard Rodgers had career highs of eight receptions and 146 yards receiving with the one touchdown catch. Taylor made two first-half sacks, giving him five for the season. Detroit coach Jim Caldwell was expecting a lateral play. Both T.J. Lang and Bryan Bulaga were inactive for this game.
First of all, the facemask call was weak. A replay appeared to show contact, but it wasn’t excessively violent.
“Man, that’s something I don’t know about”, Lacy said, via ESPN.com.
LUCKY BOUNCE: The end of the fourth quarter wasn’t the only point when fortune smiled on the Packers. The offensive team is at a huge disadvantage if the receivers don’t have time to get to the end zone.
The Lions sent just three D-lineman on the final play, and though they broke through and made a rush towards Rodgers, he avoided the pressure, scrambled, and used his momentum for extra yardage on the throw.
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The Rodgers-to-Rodgers completion gave the Pack an improbable 27-23 road victory over the divisional rival Lions.
