63-yard FG helps 49ers stun Packers
Randy Moss found his way back to familiar turf, celebrating a touchdown at Lambeau Field in his new uniform.
The San Francisco 49ers’ defense kept Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers out of the end zone for most of the day — then made sure they didn’t give the game away.
Showing the same brand of dominant defense that powered them to the NFC Championship Game last season, the 49ers smothered Rodgers and the Packers’ offense, then made one last stand to stop a late rally in a 30-22 road victory Sunday.
Things went so well for the 49ers that when David Akers tried a 63yard field goal at the end of the first half, it bounced off the crossbar and then kept going through the uprights to tie an NFL record.
“When you hit the goal post at any part, it usually makes that horrific noise and then it usually bounces back,” Akers said. “This time it got there. It was a sweet bounce. It was definitely a oncein-a-lifetime type of a deal.”
Moss scored on a 14-yard reception in the second quarter. He turned his back to the crowd and pointed to the name on his jersey, opting for a more subdued celebration than the fake mooning motion he made toward fans at Lambeau during his Vikings days.
Stafford comes through late
Matthew Stafford stayed cool and calm after the shakiest first half of his career.
Stafford threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Smith with 10 seconds left, lifting the host Detroit Lions to a 27-23 victory over the St. Louis Rams.
The No. 1 pick from the 2009 NFL draft had three interceptions before halftime for the first time.
The Rams scored 13 points off Stafford’s turnovers, including Cortland Finnegan’s 31-yard return for a TD that gave them a 13-7 lead late in the first half, but they couldn’t stop him in the end.
Stafford led an 80-yard, nineplay, game-winning drive that included three passes of at least 18 yards and was capped by enough patience in the pocket to connect with a wide-open Smith.
Peterson, Walsh propel Vikings
His left knee fully healed, Adrian Peterson (17 carries, 84 yards, two TDs) ran hard for the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie Blair Walsh’s leg handled the rest.
Walsh kicked four field goals, including a 55-yarder as regulation expired and another in overtime, and Peterson returned from his left knee injury to lift the host Vikings to a 26-23 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Eye-catching debut for RG3
Robert Griffin III began his NFL career by connecting on 19 of 26 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns as the Washington Redskins handed the host New Orleans Saints a 40-32 loss in their first game since the bounty scandal that overshadowed their offseason. Griffin completed his first eight passes, including an 88-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon.
In other games of note ...
Mark Sanchez threw three touchdown passes, including two to rookie Stephen Hill, and the host New York Jets eased concerns about their offense with a 48-28 triumph against the Buffalo Bills.
Tom Brady (236 yards passing and two TDs) might have suffered a broken nose when he was sacked in the second quarter, but he didn’t miss a play, as the New England Patriots trounced the host Tennessee Titans 34-13.