An improbable victory on a Hail Mary miracle could have potentially saved the Green Bay Packers’ season.
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On the verge of suffering their fifth loss in six games, Green Bay pulled off a 20-point comeback on Aaron Rodgers’ 61-yard heave to Richard Rogers on the final play to beat the Detroit Lions 27-23 in thrilling fashion.
The Packers were fortunate to even have the chance to attempt the toss, which they were afforded on an untimed play after Detroit committed a face-mask penalty on a lateral-heavy last ditch effort as time expired on the previous down.
Rodgers, who was sacked three times and pressured throughout the night, was able to escape the pass rush, roll to his right and sky a pass into the crowded end zone.
Tight end Richard Rodgers was on the other end of the pass as he leapt and snatched the ball to complete the longest game-winning, gameending Hail Mary in NFL history.
Aaron Rodgers. Richard Rodgers. Incredible! Now.. you can watch the epic @Packers finish from EVERY single angle. https://t.co/PzNTd50UVs
— NFL (@NFL) December 5, 2015
“It’s the greatest feeling,” said the Green Bay quarterback. “We’re blessed to be able to play this game, and it reminds you at times how special this game is. You live for days like this, to be able to have something miraculous happen.”
The Packers entered the NFC North match-up struggling, while the Lions had won three straight. It looked like the two teams would continue heading in opposite directions until the Packers’ offence woke up in the second half with Rodgers tossing two touchdowns and running one in himself before the Hail Mary.
Had Green Bay lost again, they would have dropped to a 7-5 record, two losses behind the divisionleading Minnesota Vikings (8-3). Instead, the Packers remain in the hunt for the NFC North crown, as well as a bye in the first round of the playoffs, while leading the conference for one of the two available wild-card spots.
Though they escaped Ford Field with a win, Green Bay are still working their way back to looking like a title contender again.
“There’s going to be no masking this. We know that we struggled,” Aaron Rodgers said. “We’re inconsistent on offense. We can’t be that type of football team if we want to finish the season where we want to finish the season.
“We’re 8-4, there’s four games left, and we know it’s about giving yourself an opportunity, getting into the dance.”
