Recap: Packers 45, Lions 41
SportsDirect Inc. staff
Jan 1, 2012
Matt Flynn threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns – both franchise records – in his second career start and the Green Bay Packers won a wild shootout 45-41 over the visiting Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Flynn’s go-ahead 4-yard scoring pass to Jermichael Finley with 1:10 left sent Detroit to its 21st straight loss in Green Bay and dropped the Lions to the No. 6 seed in the NFC after Atlanta beat Tampa Bay later Sunday.
Jordy Nelson caught three touchdowns for the Packers (15-1), who wrapped up home-field advantage last week and took the advantage of the opportunity to rest Aaron Rodgers and several other key starters.
The Lions will open the postseason on the road at No. 3 seed New Orleans on Saturday.
They never could have dreamed that Flynn, an impending free agent, would put forth one of the best performances in NFL history. He finished 31 of 44 and was one shy of tying the NFL record touchdown passes in a game.
The fourth-year pro outdueled Matthew Stafford, who finished 36 of 59 for 520 yards and five scores. It marked the first time in NFL history that both quarterbacks passed for more than 400 yards and four touchdowns.
Calvin Johnson finished with 11 catches for a career-high 244 yards for the Lions (10-6).
Stafford appeared to have the Lions headed toward clinching the No. 5 seed when he capped a six-play, 93-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Tony Scheffler with 2:39 to play.
But Flynn led an 80-yard drive, which was highlighted by a perfectly thrown 40-yard pass to James Jones. One play later, Flynn hit Finley for a 4-yard score.
Sam Shields’ interception sealed the win for Green Bay.
Jan 1, 2012
Matt Flynn threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns – both franchise records – in his second career start and the Green Bay Packers won a wild shootout 45-41 over the visiting Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Flynn’s go-ahead 4-yard scoring pass to Jermichael Finley with 1:10 left sent Detroit to its 21st straight loss in Green Bay and dropped the Lions to the No. 6 seed in the NFC after Atlanta beat Tampa Bay later Sunday.
Jordy Nelson caught three touchdowns for the Packers (15-1), who wrapped up home-field advantage last week and took the advantage of the opportunity to rest Aaron Rodgers and several other key starters.
The Lions will open the postseason on the road at No. 3 seed New Orleans on Saturday.
They never could have dreamed that Flynn, an impending free agent, would put forth one of the best performances in NFL history. He finished 31 of 44 and was one shy of tying the NFL record touchdown passes in a game.
The fourth-year pro outdueled Matthew Stafford, who finished 36 of 59 for 520 yards and five scores. It marked the first time in NFL history that both quarterbacks passed for more than 400 yards and four touchdowns.
Calvin Johnson finished with 11 catches for a career-high 244 yards for the Lions (10-6).
Stafford appeared to have the Lions headed toward clinching the No. 5 seed when he capped a six-play, 93-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Tony Scheffler with 2:39 to play.
But Flynn led an 80-yard drive, which was highlighted by a perfectly thrown 40-yard pass to James Jones. One play later, Flynn hit Finley for a 4-yard score.
Sam Shields’ interception sealed the win for Green Bay.
