Packers vs. Lions final score: Green Bay offense comes alive late to secure close win

James Crabtree-Hannigan

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Packers vs. Lions final score: Green Bay offense comes alive late to secure close win image

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a beat-up Green Bay offense turned in a trademark primetime performance, looking listless for large swaths of the game before scoring on the final two drives to come away with a 23-22 win.

To its credit, Detroit may have gotten away with failing to capitalize on countless opportunities if not for a pair of questionable late-game illegal hands to the face penalties on defensive end Trey Flowers. Each came on crucial third downs and extended the Packers' final two drives, leading to a touchdown and Mason Crosby's game-winning field goal as time expired.

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Prior to those calls, though, the Lions had chance after chance to distance themselves from Green Bay. They managed an abysmal 58 yards of total offense after halftime; the nine points they scored were products of strong field position, and the lead they held was a product of the 13-10 advantage they had at halftime.

When they couldn't turn their prime second-half field position into anything beyond field goals, the result felt inevitable.

The first nine drives of the second half resulted in a combined 158 yards; at one point six consecutive drives went a combined 44 yards. But we've seen that script before, and sure enough, Rodgers put together scoring drives when it mattered and ensured a win.

Sporting News tracked live updates. Follow along as it unfolded in real time below.

Packers vs. Lions live score, updates, highlights

Packers: 23
Lions: 22

11:20 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, Packers. Who could've seen this coming. With the help of a second quationable illegal hands to the face penalty on Trey Flowers, Green Bay drives inside the 5-yard line and hits a game-winning field goal on the final play of the game. It's over. Packers 23, Lions 22.

11:01 p.m.: Detroit quickly punts it back to Green Bay. Reader, I hope you have not strained any relationships with loved ones in order to watch the second half of this game.

10:53 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Packers. Who could've seen this coming. Rodgers to Allen Lazard (??? get well soon, Green Bay receiving corps) for 35 yards to get back in it. Lions 22, Packers 20.

10:44 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, Lions. Detroit is going to try to win with field goals. A three-and-out leads to a 54-yarder from Prater. Look, it hasn't been pretty, OK? Lions 22, Packers 13.

10:38 p.m.: INTERCEPTION, Lions. A brutal pick for Rodgers, whose pass bounces off the helmet of receiver Darrius Shepherd and into the hands of Justin Coleman at the 2-yard line.

End third quarter: Lions 19, Packers 13

10:29 p.m.: The Packers go three-and-out for the second time in a row. They've had just three drives in the second half, due largely to that muffed punt earlier.

10:24 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, Lions. Green Bay punts from deep in its own territory, so Detroit only needs to go 34 yards to get into field goal range. Lions 19, Packers 13.

10:14 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, Lions. The Packer defense comes up big to limit Detroit to 3 points. Lions 16, Packers 13.

10:08 p.m.: Major mishap for the Packers, as they muff a punt, and Detroit recovers.

10:06 p.m.: Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison heads to the locker room after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit on the past drive. The game will go on without him.

10:01 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, Packers. Green Bay ties it up on the opening drive of the second half. Packers 13, Lions 13.

Halftime: Lions 13, Packers 10

9:38 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, Packers. A holding penalty pushes Green Bay back to the 19 on first-and-goal, effectively ending that drive. Mason Crosby bangs a 37-yarder with 11 seconds left in the half. Lions 13, Packers 10.

9:30 p.m.: Green Bay is driving at the 2-minute warning.

9:13 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Packers. Detroit bails Green Bay out by having too many men on the field as the Packers prepared for a field goal. A few plays later, running back Jamaal Williams scampers in from 5 yards out. Lions 13, Packers 7.

9:07 p.m.: Jones drops what could have been a touchdown pass, adding to a rough start for him. Green Bay is still driving, though.

8:55 p.m: FIELD GOAL, Lions. This time, Detroit can't convert a goal-to-go situation. Kicker Matt Prater hits a 23-yarder. Lions 13, Packers 0.

End first quarter: Lions 10, Packers 0

8:42 p.m.: FUMBLE, Packers. Running back Aaron Jones with a humurous-looking fumble, as the ball goes flying many yards forward. The Lions recover, continuing a disastrous start for Green Bay.

8:34 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, Lions. It takes four tries from inside the 5-yard line, but Detroit eventually punches it in to extend the early lead. Lions 10, Packers 0.

8:28 p.m.: The Packers go three-and-out, and Detroit starts the next drive with another big play; quarterback Matt Stafford hits Marvin Hall for 58 yards.

8:19 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, Lions. A 66-yard flea flicker starts Detroit's drive with a bang, but three bad plays after that lead to a chip shot field goal. Lions 3, Packers 0.

James Crabtree-Hannigan