NFL: Packers top Lions on last-second field goal

GREEN BAY — Mason Crosby kicked a 23-yard field goal as time expired to give the Green Bay Packers a big 23-22 NFC North victory over the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on Monday.

It was the third field goal made by Crosby in a game that also saw Lions’ kicker Matt Prater make five field goals.

After the game-winning kick went through the uprights, Crosby got to experience his first Lambeau leap, with assist into the stands from long snapper Hunter Bradley.

“It was awesome. Being able to celebrate with my teammates and the fans, that was special. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, so I was happy I was able to get it done,” said Crosby, whose kick gave Green Bay its lone lead in the contest.

Detroit got out to an early lead behind big passing plays.

On the first offensive play of the game, the Lions ran a flea flicker, with quarterback Matthew Stafford connecting with Kenny Golladay for a 66-yard pass. Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander tripped Golladay up at the 11-yard line, and it proved to be a big play, as the defense soon forced a Prater 26-yard field goal.

Green Bay’s first offensive possession didn’t last long, with a Geronimo Allison drop on third down forcing a punt.

Detroit’s second drive began with a 58-yard pass from Stafford to receiver Marvin Hall. The Lions were able to take advantage of the big play, as running back Kerryon Johnson scored from a yard out on fourth down (despite the officials signaling two different outcomes on the play).

The Packers’ second drive featured running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, taking the team into Lions’ territory before Jones fumbled and Detroit recovered.

The visitors drove the ball down the field again, but stalled at the 4-yard line, forcing Prater to kick a 22-yard field goal.

“We have to have that mentality every time they get the ball down there on the 40, 30 when they already got points, let’s hold them to three and not seven so we save four points every time we get down there. It did pay off this time,” said Packers safety Adrian Amos.

The Packers put together their first scoring drive on the ensuing possession, overcoming two offensive holding penalties and also being gifted a couple first down after Lions’ penalties.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers connected on first-down passes to Geronimo Allison and Jake Kumerow before Jones and tight end Jimmy Graham dropped would-be touchdowns. Williams ended up scoring on a 5-yard touch pass from Rodgers.

The Packers’ defense finally got the Lions into a third-and-long situation on the next drive, and pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith was able to sack Stafford to force the Lions to punt.

Green Bay then chewed up all but seven seconds of the first half clock before Crosby connected on a 37-yard field goal to cut the deficit to three.

The Packers kept things rolling to start the second half, putting together another scoring drive.

The Lions were flagged for unnecessary roughness (that forced Allison to leave the game) on the first play of the drive before Marcedes Lewis caught a 25-yard pass. The drive was capped by a 48-yard Crosby field goal.

Green Bay forced Detroit into a three-and-out on the next drive, with Kyler Fackrell and Preston Smith splitting a sack on third down, but Darrius Shepherd muffed the punt, giving the Lions the ball back at the Green Bay 25.

Again, the Packers’ defense held up and forced Prater into a 41-yard field goal. After Green Bay punted, Detroit drove 34 yards to set up a Prater 51-yard field goal that made it 19-13.

The teams traded punts before Rodgers led the Pack on a long drive. Green Bay looked to be on its way to taking the lead, but Shepherd had a pass bounce off his facemask, and the Lions caught the ricochet and returned the interception to the Green Bay 43 to set up the final Prater field goal, a 54-yarder.

Green Bay responded with a touchdown drive to cut the deficit to two. Rodgers hit Lewis for 25 yards before an illegal use of hands penalty on Detroit set up a 35-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to receiver Allen Lazard.

“It was obviously an awesome moment to get my first touchdown, especially here at Lambeau,” said Lazard, who played just 17 offensive snaps but finished with four catches for 65 yards. “Just kinda fulfilling the journey of being able to be here and play for this amazing organization and be able to catch a touchdown in a critical moment is just something huge and something that as a kid you (grow) up dreaming about and it feels great to fulfill it.”

The Packers’ defense forced a punt on the next drive, leaving 6 minutes, 46 seconds on the clock for Rodgers and the offense to set up Crosby’s game-winning kick.

Rodgers connected on first-down passes with Lazard twice and Graham once, while Rodgers also scrambled for a first down.

The Lions burned their timeouts to try and save some time for one last drive, but another illegal use of hands penalty extended the drive and allowed Green Bay to run out the clock.

“I think it equals out pretty good over the years,” said Rodgers of the penalties going against the Lions.

Crosby’s kick helped Green Bay improve to 5-1 overall and 3-0 against NFC North teams.

Rodgers finished with 286 passing yards, while Williams rushed for 104 yards and caught four passes for an additional 32 yards.

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