Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions history: Matt Flynn smashes records
By Josh McPeak
On the first day of the year in 2012, the Detroit Lions entered Lambeau Field with a great chance to put an end to their losing streak in Packers News against the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers at 14-1 had nothing to lose or gain and decided to put Aaron Rodgers on the shelf to eliminate the possibility of an injury to their captain. This would be a good enough reason for Vegas to make the Lions a 6.5-point favorite.
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A game and final stat sheet worthy of a Madden video game would transpire.
Matt Flynn would get off to a horrific start as he would fumble on the first drive and the following kickoff would be touched by Green Bay before rolling out of the end zone for a safety, making it a quick 9-0 score in favor of the visiting Lions.
Green Bay would finally find their groove and add a field goal and a 7-yard Jordy Nelson touchdown. This would give the green and gold a 10-9 lead heading into the second quarter. The game was quickly about to spiral into an offensive explosion.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson has been a thorn in the side of the Green Bay Packers, though the Packers have had the Lions’ number the past few years. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Calvin Johnson would put the Lions ahead in the second quarter with a 13-yard touchdown. It would be just the start of a monster day for “Megatron.”
Ryan Grant would follow that up with a huge 80-yard touchdown reception. The Notre Dame alum would be penalized for excessive celebration following the explosive play.
Following a Jason Hanson field goal that would put the Lions ahead 19-17, Flynn found Nelson yet again, for a 36-yard touchdown on a free play due to Andre Fluellen of the Lions being offside. This would be the second touchdown of the day between Flynn to Nelson.
Green Bay would take a 24-19 lead into the locker room at the half.
Matthew Stafford would find Titus Young for a short 2-yard touchdown to again put the Lions in front, 26-24.
The Flynn-to-Nelson duo was far from finished, however. Flynn would again find Nelson for a 58-yard touchdown. On a day that the Packers had no trouble in making huge plays they would once more recapture the lead at 31-26.
Matthew Stafford would again put the Packers in check. This time he would connect with Kevin Smith from 5 yards out and add a successful two-point conversion to tight end Tony Scheffler. Detroit would take a 34-31, three-point lead into the fourth and final frame.
On yet another huge play midway through the fourth quarter, Flynn would connect with the great Donald Driver for a 35-yard touchdown. With 8:18 left on the clock the Packers would take a 38-34 lead over the Lions.
At the 2:44 mark in the fourth quarter, Stafford would find Scheffler yet again. This time it would be good for 6 instead of two, putting the Lions ahead 41-38.
The Packers’ chances of a game-winning drive would all boil down to backup quarterback Matt Flynn.
Flynn lived up to the challenge and completed 5-of-7 passes on the final drive. The Packers would again find a big play setting up great field position.
Flynn found James Jones for 40 yards putting the ball at the Detroit 6. Following a short run by John Kuhn, Flynn found Jermichael Finley for a four-yard touchdown.
This would put Green Bay ahead 45-41 and give the Lions the ball back with only 1:13 left in the game needing a touchdown for a victory.
Stafford seemed to be up to the task and put together a great drive down to the Green Bay 37 yard line before Sam Shields intercepted a first down pass, and essentially “iced” the game.
During the game Matt Flynn would set franchise records for yards and touchdowns.
Take a look at some of the final stats from the game:
Wide receiver Jordy Nelson makes a catch while being tackled by Detroit Lions outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead during the first quarter at Ford Field. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Jordy Nelson: 9 receptions for 162 yards and 3 touchdowns
The over of (42) would be shattered on this day. It wouldn’t however be the only thing shattered.
Detroit entered the game with perhaps its best chance it had ever enjoyed at breaking the losing streak at Lambeau Field, dating back to 1991.
This Sunday they will face an Aaron Rodgers who will be playing for at least one home playoff game and a week off, which he would enjoy to elevate has banged up calf.
I wouldn’t bank on the Lions putting an end to a 23-year draught in Packers News this week.