With the top spot in the NFC locked up, the Green Bay Packers rested several key players in the final week of the season but they weren't in any hurry to end the regular season. Instead they let backup quarterback Matt Flynn air it up early and often to lead the Packers to a wild 45-41win over the Detroit Lions.
The numbers from this game are staggering with the ball in the air so often that the game nearly took four hours to play. It was the first NFL game in which both quarterbacks threw for at least 400 yards and five touchdowns.
Matt Flynn apparently has been paying close attention to Aaron Rodgers because he put up passing numbers that made Rodgers look pedestrian. Flynn completed 31 of 44 passes for 480 yards with six touchdowns and just one interception including the game-winning touchdown pass to Jermichael Finley with 1:10 left in the game.
Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford threw it all day as well, completing 36 of 59 passes for 520 yards with five touchdowns on two interceptions. The last pick was thrown with 25 seconds left to finally end the wild day at Lambeau Field.
Yes, those numbers are real. Flynn and Stafford combined to throw 103 passes and rack up 1,000 yards passing between them. The Lions only rushed the ball 15 times on the day as they tried to keep pace with the Packers all day.
With all of that passing yardage there were some big days for receivers with Jordy Nelson leading the way for Green Bay by catching nine passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns. Calvin Johnson added another monster day to his season with 11 catches for 244 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Pettigrew also caught seven passes for 116 yards.
The loss may prove costly for the Lions with Atlanta rolling over Tampa Bay in the first half of their game. If Atlanta holds on to win, Detroit will drop to the No. 6 seed in the NFC which sets up a first-round playoff game with the New Orleans Saints.
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