SportsDirect Inc. staff
Dec 9, 2012
Packers 27, Lions 20: Dujuan Harris' 14-yard touchdown run snapped a tie early in the fourth quarter as Green Bay continued its mastery of visiting Detroit and seized sole possession of first place in the NFC North.
Aaron Rodgers had a career-long 27-yard touchdown run and threw for 173 yards - with 102 of those going to Randall Cobb. The Packers (9-4), who haven't lost a home contest to the Lions since 1991, moved a full game ahead of Chicago heading into next week's meeting at Soldier Field.
After kickers Mason Crosby and Jason Hanson misfired on their respective 51-yard attempts, Green Bay briskly went down the field to start the fourth quarter. Harris, who was promoted from the practice squad on Dec. 1, bolted through a massive hole over the right guard and raced untouched into the end zone to give the Packers a 24-17 lead.
With Detroit (4-9) holding a 14-3 advantage, Matthew Stafford lost control of the ball while attempting a quick screen pass midway through the second quarter. Stafford also failed in his bid to fall on the ball before defensive end Mike Daniels picked it up and rumbled 43 yards for a score.
Rodgers polished off Green Bay's opening drive of the second half by escaping a potential sack and scampering 27 yards for a touchdown. Detroit mustered two more field goals, but couldn't get anything else established en route to its fifth straight loss.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Detroit set an NFL record after suffering its third straight loss despite having a lead of 10 points or more. ... Tight end Tony Scheffler's 3-yard touchdown early in the second quarter gave the Lions a 14-0 lead. The advantage was Detroit's largest in Wisconsin since Nov. 20, 1988. ... The Lions secured a decisive edge in time of possession (22:41-7:19), but held only a 14-10 lead at halftime.