Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, can keep the Green Bay Packers from their appointed rounds when it comes to playing the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. On a snowy Sunday night before 70,382, the Packers even spotted the Motor City visitors a 14 point lead but still won 27-20, making it 22 straight victories over the Lions on Wisconsin soil. The victory, coupled with Chicago's 21-14 loss to the Vikings at the Metrodome, puts Green Bay at 9-4, a game ahead of the Bears and a victory at Solider Field next Sunday would wrap up the NFC North title. This one wasn't easy however. Detroit came ready to play, driving 80 yards in 12 plays with the opening kickoff to take a 7-0 lead on Matthew Stafford's four yard bootleg around the left end on 4th down and 1. Green Bay was looking to answer until Aaron Rodgers was sacked by Lawrence Jackson at the Detroit 12, causing a fumble that Stephen Tulloch recovered at the 19. The Lions went right back to work, marching 79 yards in 11 plays, Stafford hitting Tony Scheffler on a three yard pass to make it 14-0 early in the second quarter before a now very nervous crowd. Detroit was very good on the ground, gaining over 100 yards in the first quarter alone, and they converted 6 of 7 third downs in the first half. A 27 yard completion to Greg Jennings got the ball in Detroit territory but a holding penalty against Josh Sitton forced Mason Crosby to settle for a solid 49 yard field goal to make it 14-3. The game took a big turn on the ensuing Lion series as Stafford had a first and 10 at the Packer 42 when out of the shotgun, had the ball slip out of his hand just as he was cocking to throw. He tried to fall on the loose ball but it squirted away and rookie Mike Daniels scooped it up, got bumped by Gosder Cherilous but it wasn't enough to knock him off stride. Daniels rumbled 43 yards for a touchdown to make it 14-10. A Sam Shields interception thwarted another Lion drive and the Packers went into the locker room down only four despite running 16 offensive plays and holding the ball for only 7:19 of the first half. The Packers took the third quarter kickoff and marched 74 yards in 8 plays, a big play came when Ndamukong Suh was called for roughing the passer on third and 6. Rodgers shook off the hit and scampered 27 yards on a broken play for the touchdown that put Green Bay in front 17-14. Jason Hanson tied the game with a 46 yard boot and late in the quarter, Crosby missed just wide left from 51. The Lions moved to the Packer 33 but Hanson came up short on his 51 yard try. Taking over at their own 41, the Packers proceeded to drive 59 yards in 7 plays, uncharacteristically, all on the ground. Alex Green carried three straight times for 18 yards. Ryan Grant made his first appearance and ripped off a 13 yard run and former practice squadder DuJuan Harris did the rest, gaining five to the 14 and then bursting through a huge hole off right guard going in 14 yards untouched to make it 24-17 with 10:45 to play. A big third and 11 completion covering 38 yards to Randall Cobb, who finished with 7 catches for 102 yards, set up Crosby's 41 yard field goal to make it a two score game. The Lions failed on 4th down from the Green Bay 44 with just over two minutes left, got the ball back and had Hanson kick a 34 yard field goal with :07 remaining. His onside kick rolled out of bounds and Rodgers took a knee to settle the issue. The Packers were outgained 386-288, Detroit held the ball for over 37 minutes but Green Bay won the turnover battle 2-1 and had the huge defensive score that made the difference. The running game had it's second straight solid outing, Alex Green led with 69 yards on 13 carries, Harris chipped in with 7 rushes for 31 yards. It was a quiet night from Rodgers, just 14 of 25 for 173 yards and a passer rating of 80.7. The heavy Detroit pass rush sacked him 3 times and forced him to throw shorter, quick routes. His streak of 35 straight games at Lambeau with at least one touchdown pass came to an end. Perhaps the best news of the night, no new injuries were reported. The Packers had a lot of talent on the inactive list, Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews, James Starks, Jordy Nelson, Mike Neal, C.J. Wilson and Terrell Manning. T.J. Lang dressed but did not play with his ankle injury. He could have in an emergency but Don Barclay held up OK in his first career start at right tackle. The home crowd loved the first bad weather game of the year, as did Will Ferrell, who led fans from the sideline in the "Roll Out The Barrell" song in the 4th quarter. On the link below, check out the post-game quotes from the guys who are one step away from another playoff berth.
Packers beat Lions again


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