Packers find a way to win, beat Lions 24-20
By: Nick Goddard
Updated: November 18, 2012
Despite inconsistent play on offense and missed field goals by Mason Crosby, the Packers won their fifth game in a row Sunday.
Aaron Rodgers found Randall Cobb for a 22 yard touchdown pass with under two minutes remaining to give the Packers (7-3) the lead for good. Green Bay is a half game behind the 7-2 Chicago Bears in the NFC North division standings. The bears face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
Coming off their bye week, the Packers struggled throughout the first half and entered the locker room trailing 10-7.
Safety M. D. Jennings provided a huge spark to the team in the third, intercepting Matthew Stafford, then returning it 72 yards for a touchdown to give the Packers a 14-10 lead.
Detroit answered later in the third, when Stafford hit Calvin Johnson for a 25 yard score, giving the Lions the lead back, 17-14.
In the fourth, Crosby missed his second field goal of the game, and his 7th in 12 attempts. Detroit then drove and a Jason Hason field goal made it 20-14, setting up Rodgers and Cobb's heroics.
James Starks was the feature running back for the Packers, carrying the ball 25 times for 74 yards. Cobb had 9 receptions for 74 yards to lead the Green Bay receivers, while tight end Jermichael Finley had 3 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. Finley had a key 40 yard reception in the fourth quarter on the go-ahead drive.
Despite playing without the injured Clay Matthews, the Packers defense sacked Stafford five times and forced three turnovers. Linebacker Erik Walden had two of the sacks.
The Packers next head to New Jersey to face the 6-4 New York Giants next Sunday night.
Aaron Rodgers found Randall Cobb for a 22 yard touchdown pass with under two minutes remaining to give the Packers (7-3) the lead for good. Green Bay is a half game behind the 7-2 Chicago Bears in the NFC North division standings. The bears face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
Coming off their bye week, the Packers struggled throughout the first half and entered the locker room trailing 10-7.
Safety M. D. Jennings provided a huge spark to the team in the third, intercepting Matthew Stafford, then returning it 72 yards for a touchdown to give the Packers a 14-10 lead.
Detroit answered later in the third, when Stafford hit Calvin Johnson for a 25 yard score, giving the Lions the lead back, 17-14.
In the fourth, Crosby missed his second field goal of the game, and his 7th in 12 attempts. Detroit then drove and a Jason Hason field goal made it 20-14, setting up Rodgers and Cobb's heroics.
James Starks was the feature running back for the Packers, carrying the ball 25 times for 74 yards. Cobb had 9 receptions for 74 yards to lead the Green Bay receivers, while tight end Jermichael Finley had 3 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. Finley had a key 40 yard reception in the fourth quarter on the go-ahead drive.
Despite playing without the injured Clay Matthews, the Packers defense sacked Stafford five times and forced three turnovers. Linebacker Erik Walden had two of the sacks.
The Packers next head to New Jersey to face the 6-4 New York Giants next Sunday night.
