Crosby kicks winner as Packers stun Lions
MASON Crosby booted a 23-yard field goal in the final seconds as the Green Bay Packers rallied late to shock the Detroit Lions 23-22 on Monday night.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 24 of 39 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns for the Packers, who sent a m e s s a g e t o t h e r e s t of the NFC North that they are serious contenders this season.
“It didn’t feel like a win until the end,” said Rodgers. “We grinded it out.
“We battled, we made some mistakes, we turned the ball over a bunch, but there is a lot of resolve in this team.
“Our defence tightened up and we had two big scoring drives down the stretch.”
Heading into the game the Packers and the Lions were the only two teams in the division with one loss.
Green Bay improved to 5-1 wh i le t he L ion s a re now 2-2-1.
With star receiver Davante Adams injured, Rodgers had to look for other offensive weapons in front of the crowd of 76,900 at Lambeau Field.
He linked up with Allen Lazard for a 35 yard touchdown and Jamaal Williams for another TD strike. Lazard had just one career catch and none this season.
Williams finished with 104 yards on 14 carries and four catches for 32 yards for Green Bay, which also captured its first win in five tries against its rival.
Potential concussion
T he Packers had to play wit hout Ada ms, who is out wit h a toe injur y and receiver Geronimo Allison suffered a potentia l concussion early in t hird quarter.
Mat t P r ater k icked f ield goals from 26, 22, 41, 51 and 54 yards for t he Lions while qua r terback Matt hew Sta fford f inished 18 of 32 for 265 ya rds a nd was sacked t hree times.
Prater’s fifth field goal from 54 yards stretched the Lions lead to 22-13 in the fourth.
T he Packers got a bad ly needed stop i n t he fou r t h, w it h sa fet y Wi l l Red mond and cornerback Jaire Alexander brea k i ng up pa sses to Marvin Jones on consecutive plays.
The Packers had one last shot, starting at their 18 with just under seven minutes remaining.
Rodgers marched the Packers methodically into scoring posit ion wit h a dr ive hig hlighted by the three completions to Lazard and a 12-yard Rodgers run for a first down at midfield.