Incredible: Rodgers revels in stunning game-winning Hail Mary

The Packers were fortunate to even have the chance to attempt the toss, which they were afforded on an untimed play after Detroit committed a face-mask penalty on a lateral-heavy last ditch effort as time expired on the previous down.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy on Friday seemed to confirm Lacy’s disciplining, but without detail.

Stafford threw a 3-yard pass to Eric Ebron, who was uncovered, after the Packers scrambled around to get lined up and were left two defenders trying to cover three Lions. There’s a lot more to give.

The Rodgers-to-Rodgers prayer – which really traveled a mind-blowing 65 yards if you consider where Aaron threw it from and where Richard caught it in the end zone – was clearly and cleanly caught by the latter Rodgers. The two receivers on the left side of the formation run straight with a slight angle towards the center of the end zone.

All of that presumes the Vikings won’t lose again before the season finale – easier speculated than accomplished with Seattle coming to town and a trip to Arizona on the horizon (the Packers, not exactly a juggernaut lately when they’re not playing the Vikings, could well lose again too). The quarterback keeper into the end zone cut the Lions lead to two, 23-21.

“This one obviously ranks up there as one of the greatest joys on the field that we’ve had together as a team and personally”, quarterback Aaron Rodgers said.

The starting role reverted to tailback James Starks, who usurped the top position on the depth chart earlier in the season before Lacy came on strong in recent weeks.

The play so rarely works, to the point where it’s believed to be the first game-ending Hail Mary in Packers history.

But Taylor grabbed Aaron Rodgers’ facemask, giving the Packers another play.

“No one was around him”.

Richard Rodgers caught eight passes for 162 yards for Green Bay, which had its 56-game streak of scoring in the first half snapped as they rallied from a 20-point deficit.

On Stafford’s two TD passes in the first quarter, he took advantage of Green Bay’s disorganized defense and of having the 6-foot-5 Johnson as a teammate. “We’re not clicking for four quarters in all three areas, and that’s what we’re working for”.

The Packers forced Detroit to punt on the next possession, but had to punt it back after Ezekiel Ansah had a sack on third down.

Rodgers completed 24-of-36 passes for 273 yards, two passing touchdowns and an interception. There are several reasons why he was able to do this. With the ball sailing overhead, they couldn’t defend anything.

James Starks started at running back for Green Bay on Thursday night. It was also aided by questionable defensive decisions and a little bit of luck.

“Nothing happened last week with Eddie”, McCarthy said.

McCarthy says while most people will call that play a Hail Mary, that’s not what it is inside the Packers locker room, “we call it a rebound pass we don’t call it a Hail Mary because we think we’re going to go up and catch it like a rebound so it’s called a rebound pass”.