Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers: 2nd quarter running diary

January 01, 2012

Lions face 2nd and 7 from the 37 to start the 2nd. The Lions standard end around to Burleson gets the 1st down. OK, that's a start.

2nd and 10...FLAG. False start Lions, though it took thge refs a good minute to figure it out. Why? Hell if I know.

2nd and 15...Stafford has plenty of time, but overshoots Megatron.

3rd and 15...another overthrow, as Stafford misfires on a deep ball to Megatron.

'Nuff said...

Wendling makes a great play, keeping the punt from going into the end zone..then the Packers inexplicably touch, then fall on the ball, at the 5.

Wendling with a Pro Bowl play...
but Lions don't make the Pro Bowl.

Not smart...then again, that's been the Packers' mantra on returns.

3rd and 5...heavy pressure...incomplete pass! Though the Pack want a flag, they aren't getting it. 

Lions with a block in the back on the return. Jebus. They'll start form their own 40 than the Packers' 45.

Stafford to Scheffler is complete inside the Packers' 45...Pack strips the ball...AFTER he's down.

That's a catch...

Refs miss it, and give the ball to the Packers. Awful fucking call. CHALLENGE FLAG COMING. And Schwartz throws it. 

FOX's "expert" Mike Pereira says it shouldn't be overturned, starts with the "process of the catch" BS...yet it is! Lions' 1st down at the Packers'

Billick and Brennaman are apologetic with Pereira, they were in agreement with him. WTF? MORONS, the lot of 'em.

Lions will face a 3rd and 3. Pass to Pettigrew is broken up.

Lions going for it! Burleson runs a slant, COMPLETE at the 29!

Pettigrew takes in pass, rumbles tot he 19, 1st down. Lions' offense coming to life.

2nd and 10...Burleson crossing at the 14.

3rd and 5...Megatron is open just over the goal line...

TOUCHDOWN LIONS!

It's a new franchise record, number 16 on the year for Megatron!

I was nervous the refs would go the process of the catch BS, as Johnson tossed the ball away almost immediately after coming down with the catch. WHEW.

Lions up 16-10, 8:18 left in the half.

FYI: Stafford 12-of-19 for 126 yards and 2 TDs. Flynn 10-of-18 for 100 yards and 1 TD.

Lions blitz on 2nd and 10...and it BLOWS UP in their face. Packers see it coming, Grant takes a screen pass 80 yards for the easy TD.

Too damn easy...

At least the Pack were busted for excessive celebration. But they also have the lead, 17-16. Fuck.

Logan takes the kick back over the 50. Ball comes loose after he goes down...AND THEY CALL IT A FUMBLE? 

This is some of the worst referring I've ever seen! The ground can cause a fumble, apparently. Lions challenge while Billick goes on about it shouldn't be overturned.

Lions are having to waste challenges on ridiculous calls.

AND IT STANDS? It stands. Lions are also out of challenges.

Flynn SMITH PICK! Returns the INT to the Packers' 38!

JUSTICE!

Lions driving, in the red zone. Young makes a great catch....and there a no challenges available.

OH FUCK THE NFL.

SCHWARTZ IS FURIOUS, and calls a TO to let the refs know how ridiculous it all is.

Lions have to settle for 3 instead of 6. Lions up 19-17. Though it should be 23-17...

So much for justice, huh?

Packers face a 3rd and 4 from their 326, just under 4 minutes left...pass to Finley complete. 

Flynn to Driver is incomplete...and you know it;s coming...FLAG. Interference Lions. 

Flynn takes a shot deep as the Lions are offsides...and throws a TD pass to Nelson, rubbing it in. If the Lions were called for a PI on the previous pass, Nelson should have been called for the push off. It was just as incidental.

24-19 Packers, with more than a little help from incompetent refs.

Pettigrew takes 1st down pass all the way to the 47. Young gets 10 more, Lions driving.

Young is past the secondary, Stafford's pass is a little long...dives...and he can't hold on. Been one of those days.

3rd and 10...Scheffler with the catch for the 1st down. Beautiful touch pass by Stafford. 

Smith rumbles to the 21. And it's time for the...

Stafford overthrows Megatron in the end zone on 2nd and 4. Big 3rd down coming up.

FUUUUUGE. Megatron has a sure 6, but the ball is slightly behind him, and he can't come up with it.

And of course, Hanson misses the FG...BADLY. Not even close.

Packers have 3 time outs and about a 1:30 left.

Packers over the 50, take a TO with 0:41 left. 

Packers take their final TO at the Lions' 29 with 0:05 left. They'll settle for the FG attempt. 

Billick makes a good point, no matter what happens today, on Monday the Lions will still be in the playoffs. Eveyone starts over, the past doesn't matter.

NO GOOD from 47! Well, that's something...

The half mercifully ends just short of 3PM. Christ...

Packers lead 24-19 at the half. The Lions definitely need to regroup...and the refs need to be replaced.

Yes, I'm BITTER.