Last-play FG lifts Pack
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Mason Crosby performed his first Lambeau Leap after kicking a 23-yard field goal as time expired, and the Packers benefitted from some questionable officiating to edge the Lions 23-22 on ‘‘Monday Night Football.’’
‘‘That was fun, yeah,’’ Crosby said of leaping into the crowd. ‘‘That feeling . . . that’s something I’ll always remember.’’
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 24 of 39 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns, including a beautiful 35-yard throw to receiver Allen Lazard, who made his first career touchdown catch.
‘‘I actually sit next to him in the team meetings,’’ Rodgers said of Lazard, who was cut by the Packers in August, then signed to the practice squad to start the season. ‘‘We’ve struck up a pretty good friendship.’’
Rodgers linked up with running back Jamaal Williams on a five-yard pass for the Packers’ other touchdown. Williams finished with 14 carries for 104 yards and four catches for 32 yards for the Packers (5-1), who ended a four-game losing streak to the Lions (2-2-1).
The Packers might not have pulled off the victory if not for two fourth-quarter penalties for illegal hands to the face against Lions defensive end Trey Flowers. The first set up Lazard’s touchdown, and the second allowed the Packers to run the clock down to two seconds before Crosby’s gamewinner. In both cases, replays showed Flowers’ hands on the neck or shoulder — not the face — of a Packers lineman.
Matthew Stafford was 18-for-32 for 265 yards and was sacked three times for the Lions, who got five field goals from Matt Prater but couldn’t hold a 13-0 lead.
‘‘We’ve got to find a way to finish,’’ said Lions receiver Kenny Golladay, who had five catches for 121 yards. ‘‘We left a lot of points out there.’’