Lions shock the Packers in OT
The Detroit Lions have proved that they one of the top contenders in the NFL as they shocked the World Champion Green Bay Packers and beat them at Lambeau Field in an instant classic, 38-35 in overtime.
The Lions are now just one game back from the Packers in the NFC Central standings. The Packers are now 8-1 and the Lions are 7-2. The Lions have now won four in a row as the possess one of the top offenses in the NFL with superstars like Barry Sanders, Herman Moore and Scott Mitchell. The Lions ripped up one of the top defenses in the NFL as they racked up 528 total yards on Sunday Night Football.
The Lions shocked the Packers early as they took a 21-7 lead at halftime. Then Brett Favre got hot. The two-time MVP and Lions’ QB Scott Mitchell got into a shootout. With the Lions up 28-14 going into the 4th quarter, Favre brough the Packers back scoring 21 straight points to take a 35-28 lead as it looked like the Packers would stay undefeated.
The Packers could have sealed the game, but Favre’s pass to Antonio Freeman was batted away and the Packers had to punt. Taking over at their own 7-yard line and a 1:15 left, the Lions were in dire straits; however, they got a big play by Glynn Milburn, who caught a 37-yard pass from Mitchell. Then on the play, the Packers were flagged for unnecessary roughing and in one play the Lions were in Packers’ territory.
After a 4-yd gain, the Packers were flagged for a 25-yard defensive pass interference that put the ball at the Packers 10-yard line. From there, TE David Sloan caught a pass from Mitchell and dove into the end zone to tie the game, which sent it to overtime.
Both teams had multiple possessions and that’s when Barry Sanders took over. On a third and 15, Mitchell called a draw play and Sanders broke through the Packers line and got the first down on a 20-yard gain. Later in the drive, Sanders busted loose for 14 yards and 20 yards again to put the ball deep in Packer territory. On the night, Sanders rushed for 207 yards on 28 carries.
Kicker Jason Hanson missed two field goals earlier in the night, so the 29-yarder was not automatic. After a Packer timeout, Hanson didn’t flinch and drilled the 29-yarder to give the Lions the victory and sent the Packers to their first defeat of the season.
Sanders has now rushed for 1,318 yards in 9 games this season. He is on pace to rush for over 2,300 yards. He also has 11 TDs on the season.
Brett Favre had a big night as he threw for 322 yards and 4 TDs. He now has 19 TD passes on the season as Sanders and Favre are battling for the league’s MVP award.
Next week, the Lions will try to keep things rolling as they travel to Washington to take on the Redskins. The Packers will stay home and face the St. Louis Rams.