Lions could have done more on Green Bay’s Hail Mary

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw a 61-yard desperation touchdown pass on the final play of the game as the Green Bay Packers pulled off one of the most stunning comebacks in franchise history.

The Bears have games remaining with Detroit and Minnesota, meaning they can improve their division and conference records.

What has to be galling for Lions fans is that this wasn’t like so many other Hail Marys. “So I’m not convinced that it wasn’t a facemask, even looking at the replay”. The running game was held in check the entire game as Green Bay had a mere 67 total yards on the ground with Aaron Roders leading with 27 of those. That allowed Rodgers to buy time, scramble right without incident and then get forward momentum to get enough power on his thrown. “The initiative was more for special teams, but as we got going in the game and the things that were happening in the game and with his running style, I made a decision to stick him in there and he gave us a big spark”. “And that’s just me being a dad thinking he’s going to go get it. And he went and got it”. Or, at least, he was yesterday as his team avoided yet again another loss to the Detroit Lions.

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. The Lions were concerned instead about the possibility of needing an open-field tackle.

“Randall (Cobb) was kind of upset that I threw the ball 20 yards back to Aaron”. Cincinnati defenders tipped the ball twice in the end zone, but the ball deflected to Hooks for the win, giving the Bills a berth in the AFC playoffs. Aaron Rodgers was constantly under pressure.

Secondly, the intended target was Davante Adams? Rodgers Sr. expected he could make that catch. “We had plenty of time throughout the game, plenty of opportunities to make sure it never got to that point where they were involved in the game”. We played 60 minutes, we needed to play another 10 or so phantom unclocked seconds to take care of what we started, ” defensive end Darryl Tapp said. The Packers got another play, within Rodgers’ striking distance of the end zone, and Rodgers tossed the game-winner. Once they reach the ten yard line, the inside receiver begins heading toward the group of players while the outside receiver continues his slight angle closer toward the center of the end zone. Richard Rodgers, the eventual recipient of the pass, is at the five yard line and drifting back towards the front of the end zone.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell said he did not think Taylor’s facemask warranted a penalty, while Rodgers called it “a little karma” after officials did not flag Lions safety Isa Abdul-Quddus for pass interference on a deep sideline pass to Jared Abbrederis one play earlier.