Injuries a big factor for the Packers, as they entered the game missing starting offensive lineman TJ Lang and Bryan Bulaga.
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“There aren’t any words for that”, Stafford said.
They were just getting started in the first quarter. This one hurts, this is angry.
Green Bay (8-4) were upset a couple of plays before the Hail Mary when they felt Detroit safety Isa Abdul-Quddus should have been whistled for pass interference on a downfield throw. On Thursday night, the Lions fell victim to another officiating controversy.
Aaron Rodgers’ Hail Mary heard around the football world only happened because of a facemask penalty on Detroit’s Devin Taylor the play before in Green Bay’s 27-23 victory. Aaron Rodgers evaded the pocket, and heaved the ball five yards into the endzone, where tight end Richard Rodgers was able to pluck the ball away from several Lions’ defenders. He caught the ball. He led all Green Bay running backs with 22 yards rushing.
We were in position to get our hands on it, Caldwell said. A lot of stuff schematically that we had out there that could’ve been better.
It was a gut punch for the players and the fans. The Lions (4-8), on a three game winning streak, failed to sweep the season series for the first time since 1991.
The coach didnt think it was a facemask penalty but had to live with it. The Packers called the only play they could: The razzle dazzle throwback lateral play that never works. The ref called what he called, there was nothing I could do about it..
After the game, Taylor took all questions and was one of the last two leave the locker room.
Im not saying it was, Im not saying it wasnt. Richard Rodgers Sr. threw two laterals on the final play of the Cal-Stanford game in 1982, when the Golden Bears went through the Stanford band and reached the end zone. Shame to us on that one..
Matthew Stafford connected with Calvin Johnson on his second touchdown pass of the first quarter to help Detroit build a 20-point lead that it couldn’t keep.
Meanwhile, the Lions offense sputtered out during the second half. The touchdown to pull the Packers within six points was the first score of the season for Adams after making 32 receptions without a catch in the end zone. 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.
On the next snap, Julius Peppers stripped the ball from Stafford and Jake Ryan recovered it for Green Bay at the Lions 12.
The scoring started with Detroit kicker Matt Prater notching a 51 yard field goal to put the Lions on the board.
Needing two scores, the Packers marched down the field, with Aaron Rodgers capping off an 84 yard drive with a 17 yard run, to cut the lead to two points.
Green Bay would get the ball back with:23 seconds left at the Detroit 21-yard line.
Add that to the historical significance of one of the most incredible finishes in Packers history.
Cornerback Darius Slay said about the same thing: “I’m just in shock mode”. “Tough one to lose”.
“Most unbelievable game of my life”. Bowles said Revis did “light exercises” on Thursday, but it doesn’t appear he is close to practicing.
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“It’s the greatest feeling”, said Aaron Rodgers, whose team lost four of its previous five games.
