Spokesman-Review
National Football League
Green Bay 45, Detroit 41
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 1, 2012
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Temperature: 78°
Head Official: Walt Coleman
Attendance: 70294

Matt Flynn threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns – both franchise records – in his second career start and the Green Bay Packers won a wild shootout 45-41 over the visiting Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Flynn’s go-ahead 4-yard scoring pass to Jermichael Finley with 1:10 left sent Detroit to its 21st straight loss in Green Bay and dropped the Lions to the No. 6 seed in the NFC after Atlanta beat Tampa Bay later Sunday.

Jordy Nelson caught three touchdowns for the Packers (15-1), who wrapped up home-field advantage last week and took the advantage of the opportunity to rest Aaron Rodgers and several other key starters.

The Lions will open the postseason on the road at No. 3 seed New Orleans on Saturday.

They never could have dreamed that Flynn, an impending free agent, would put forth one of the best performances in NFL history. He finished 31 of 44 and was one shy of tying the NFL record touchdown passes in a game.

The fourth-year pro outdueled Matthew Stafford, who finished 36 of 59 for 520 yards and five scores. It marked the first time in NFL history that both quarterbacks passed for more than 400 yards and four touchdowns.

Calvin Johnson finished with 11 catches for a career-high 244 yards for the Lions (10-6).

Stafford appeared to have the Lions headed toward clinching the No. 5 seed when he capped a six-play, 93-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Tony Scheffler with 2:39 to play.

But Flynn led an 80-yard drive, which was highlighted by a perfectly thrown 40-yard pass to James Jones. One play later, Flynn hit Finley for a 4-yard score.

Sam Shields’ interception sealed the win for Green Bay.
Top Game Performances
Rushing
Detroit   Green Bay
Kevin Smith Player Ryan Grant
9 Attempts 12
35 Yards 48
3.9 Avg Yards 4.0
0 Touchdowns 0
8 Long 9
Receiving
Detroit   Green Bay
Calvin Johnson Player Jordy Nelson
11 Receptions 9
244 Yards 162
22.2 Avg Yards 18.0
1 Touchdowns 3
41 Long 58
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
Detroit 575 73 502 5 1 1 3.0 1
Green Bay 550 81 469 6 1 2 2.0 2
Upcoming Games
  • Green Bay will play their next game at home against N.Y. Giants. The Packers have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
  • Detroit will play their next game on the road against New Orleans. The Lions have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.