Green Bay Packers make history with ‘Motown Miracle’

Dec 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates after defeating the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Green Bay won 27-23. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

What a finish for the Green Bay Packers.

That’s all anyone can say about the ending of the Packers revenge match against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night.

There was so much at stake – a “sweep streak” extending back to 1991, headway in the NFC North, and playoff implications were just a few.

The Green Bay Packers were a broken team with fading playoff hopes and a disheartened fan base. The Detroit Lions were a surging threat who had already laid waste to the Packers at Lambeau three weeks earlier.

As both teams entered into their second consecutive Thursday night contest, their respective arrows were pointing in opposite directions.

At halftime, Packers Nation was witnessing much of the same broken team we have been seeing since they dropped 4 of the last 5 games.

Dec 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into the locker room without a single point on the board was … mortifying.

As it stood, the Packers seemed intent on letting the Lions run away with the season sweep, for the first time in 24 years.

By not allowing the Packers offense to get any points on the board, the Lions were able to end another streak, as well – it had been 56 consecutive games since the Packers had been shut out in the first half of a game; oddly enough, dating back to the “Fail Mary” at Seattle in early 2012.

Rodgers and the once-potent offense looked lethargic. The receivers could gain no separation and the run game was seriously lacking.

The defense gave up 17 early points, allowing Matthew Stafford to throw for two touchdowns in under 50 seconds, off of a Rodgers’ rare interception.

It looked like another long night for the Packers.

Midway through the third quarter, however, the tide began to turn.

Beginning with a James Starks fumble that was covered up in the end zone by Randall Cobb, the Packers offense started to get some rhythm.

Julius Peppers disrupted Matthew Stafford the next possession, causing a strip sack that set up Davante Adams‘ first touchdown catch of the year. As quickly as the Lions lead had come – it was gone.

Dec 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (44) runs the ball against Detroit Lions defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (92) during the second quarter at Ford Field. Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

A Matt Prater field goal to start the second half, followed by a Green Bay furious comeback, put the score at 20-14 heading into what would be an eventful fourth quarter.

Rodgers found his big tight end, Richard Rodgers, down the seam several times to control drives and put the offense in good position.

Even after a stalled drive late in the quarter led to Lions’ points by way of another field goal, the Packers still had an opportunity. Rodgers led another successful drive, taking advantage of a sleeping Lions’ secondary by running for a 17-yard score and giving the Packers an opportunity for a stop and a field goal, at 23-21, to win the game.

Stafford converted a huge 4th down play which looked like it was going to end the game for the Packers. Three straight non-efficient runs later, the Lions were punting the ball back to the Packers with 23 seconds on the clock and no timeouts.

Rodgers calmly took the field, depleted offense in tow, and put the team on his shoulders. A designed roll-out that would have set up the field goal – nicely  defended. A miss here, a non-call on a defensive pass interference against Jared Abbredaris would have been a game-breaker for the Packers.

A lateral desperation play with six seconds remaining looked like the end. James Jones to Richard Rodgers, back to Aaron – pulled down behind the line of scrimmage.

But wait!

A flag.

Dec 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Richards Rodgers (82) celebrates after catching a 61-yard touchdown pass with no time remaining during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The Packers defeated the Lions 27-23. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The penalty was called on Lions’ DE Jason Jones, a facemask penalty that extended the game by one, untimed play. With 15 yards to march forward, from their own 35-yard line, the Packers lined up for a last ditch effort to get into the end zone.

Richard Rodgers, the big tight end called to box out on a Hail Mary scrum, was the last to reach the end zone. He located the ball, located the end zone and made a free jump to play the ball at its highest point. A ball that was thrown 45 yards toward the rafters and 65 yards to the end zone. He came down with it.

The touchdown was as magical a play as can be recalled in recent memory. Rodgers reminded of Favre, helmet in hand, sprinting down the field in celebration.

It felt like a Super Bowl win.

Of course, it wasn’t.

The Packers still have a lot of issues that one magical win can’t mask. But for that night, for this week – Packers Nation is feeling the elation that has been missing from the past six weeks.

It feels good; and we’ll take it.