Fitzgerald Cecilio
The Green Bay Packers put a second consecutive NFC North title within reach following a come-from-behind 27-20 victory over the Detroit Lions Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Aaron Rodgers finished 14-for-24 for 173 yards and added a 27-yard scramble for a touchdown while running back DuJuan Harris broke a 17-all deadlock with a 14-yard scoring run in the fourth en route to their ninth win in 13 outings.
A victory by the Packers over the Chicago Bears next Sunday would give them a second consecutive NFC North crown.
The Packers hold a one-game lead over the Bears and a two-game cushion over the Minnesota Vikings, who defeated Chicago earlier Sunday.
Running back Alex Green had 69 rushing yards on 13 carries, Harris finished with 31 yards on three tries and cornerback Sam Shields intercepted a pass by Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Stafford completed 27 of 45 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown and added a four-yard score for the Lions, who dropped to 4-9 following a fifth straight loss.
Calvin Johnson led the Lions' receiving corps with 118 yards on 10 catches while Mikel Leshoure tallied 49 yards on 14 carries for the Lions.
Stafford's touchdown scramble gave the Lions a 7-0 edge in the first quarter and made it a two-touchdown game in the second with a three-yard scoring pass to Tony Scheffler in the second quarter.
The Packers finally got on the board following a 49-yard field goal by Mason Crosby. They further cut the Lions' lead to 14-10 at the break after rookie defensive lineman Mike Daniels returned Stafford's fumble for a 43-yard touchdown.
In the third period, Rodgers scored on a 27-yard scramble to give the Packers their first lead of the night, 17-14, before Jason Hanson hit a 46-yard touchdown to tie the game.
Harris broke a 17-all tie with a 14-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and Crosby clinched the win with a 41-yard field goal with four minutes to play in the game.
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Green Bay Packers Tame Lions to Close in on NFC North Title - NFL 2012 Week 14