Goal-line stand by Pack tops Chargers

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Rookie cornerback Damarious Randall had a feeling Philip Rivers’ final pass might be headed his way.

It was fourthandgoal from the Green Bay 3 with 15 seconds left, and the Chargers needed a touchdown to tie the Packers and possibly force overtime.

Randall had to keep tabs on both Antonio Gates and Danny Woodhead lined up on the right side of the formation.

The firstround draft pick lunged to poke away Rivers’ short throw to Woodhead near the front right pylon in the final seconds to preserve the Packers’ 2720 victory on Sunday, overcoming a career performance by Rivers.

“Biggest play of the game,” Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. “Damarious is off to a great start.”

The Packers started strong and finished barely in front. Packers running back James Starks had touchdowns on a 65yard run and a 5yard pass in the first quarter. Green Bay went up for good after Aaron Rodgers found James Jones on an 8yard pass for a 2417 lead with 40 seconds left in the third quarter.

Rivers set franchise marks with career highs of 43 completions, 65 attempts and 503 yards passing, and threw for two touchdowns His 43 completions were the most in NFL history in a loss.

As the fourthdown play developed, Randall remembered San Diego ran the same play on second down, but tried to get the ball to Gates.

This time, linebacker Clay Matthews covered Gates inside. Woodhead broke outside, with Randall trailing from behind.

“I was acting like I really wasn’t seeing him, but honestly, I was just trying to bait him a little bit,” Randall said.

On his back after being knocked down by linebacker Julius Peppers, Rivers arched his neck up, then went back down in frustration and flailed his arms.—