The Green Bay Packers were asleep at the wheel for most of the first 40 minutes but eventually woke up in the second half and stunned the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Ford Field, using a pair of touchdown passes from Aaron Rodgers, big stops from the defense, an explosive play from Aaron Jones and a game-winning field goal from Mason Crosby to escape with a 23-20 win.

Game balls

RB Aaron Jones: He carried 25 times for 100 yards, and his 31-yard catch-and-run helped set up the Packers’ game-winning field goal.
OLB Za’Darius Smith: His pressures helped force rookie quarterback David Blough into important mistakes and incompletions in the third and fourth quarters.
K Mason Crosby: He missed a 51-yarder, but he also connected on three clutch kicks in the second half, including the game-tying extra point and game-winning field goal.

Key Stat

20: The number of points scored in the second half for the Packers, who trailed 17-3 at the half.

Quick takes

– The Packers needed one final ugly win to clinch the first-round bye. They came out flat early – an expected result of a short week coming off a big road win – and then scratched and clawed their way back late. Coming back to beat the Lions sure beats the 31-0 drubbing they took at Lambeau Field in last year’s finale.

– Aaron Rodgers played a terrible first half and was as inaccurate as he’s been all season, but he made big throws late to help the Packers escape. He needs to be much, much better if the Packers are to make a Super Bowl run next month.

– Rodgers had 28 incomplete passes on Sunday, setting a new career-high in a game. He finished 27-of-55 passing.

– The defense did enough to keep the Packers in it. They delivered an interception and two stops late in the fourth quarter, giving the offense plenty of chances to complete the comeback.

– The Packers overcame injuries to Corey Linsley (back) and Bryan Bulaga (evaluated for concussion) along the offensive line. Lucas Patrick, who just signed a new, two-year extension, held up at center, while Jared Veldheer, a recent addition, played well at right tackle. The Packers will now have an extra week to get the offensive line healthy again.

– The Packers kept giving the ball to Aaron Jones and it eventually paid off. He finished with 143 yards. No. 33 is always good for a few big plays on turf.

– Even when it looked dark, the Packers had a chance to win it because David Blough was capable of making mistakes and Jones and Davante Adams were capable of creating big plays.

– Allen Lazard saved the day a few times. He made an impressive catch off his facemask for a first down, went up to catch the game-tying touchdown pass over Darius Slay and converted a late third-down with a nice slant route inside. He finished with 69 receiving yards.

– Aaron Jones finished the season with 1,084 rushing yards. He was unable to score his 20th touchdown. Davante Adams finished three yards short of 1,000 receiving yards. Aaron Rodgers finished with 4,002 passing yards.

– Matt LaFleur became just the fifth coach in NFL history to win at least 13 games in their first season as coach.

– Up next: The Packers are off for the first round of the playoffs. They’ll host their next opponent in the NFC Divisional Round at Lambeau Field.

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