Packers backup Flynn throws 6 TD passes
Matt Flynn of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass under pressure from Cliff Avril and Ndamukong Suh of the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisc. (Jan. 1, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
With Aaron Rodgers resting up for the playoffs, Matt Flynn had to be ready to run the Packers' offense Sunday. Was he ever.
With Rodgers bundled up on the sideline at cold, windy Lambeau Field, Flynn set club records with 480 yards passing and six touchdown throws. His 4-yard toss to Jermichael Finley with 1:10 left gave the Packers a 45-41 win over the Lions.
"Just think of all of the great quarterbacks that have come through here," Flynn said. "It's very humbling. I just thank everybody around me.''
The Packers (15-1) rested Rodgers and several other stars because they already had clinched the NFC's No. 1 seed.
"It was clearly one of the best performances I've been a part of," coach Mike McCarthy said. "I can't say enough about Matt Flynn. The whole world got to see what we see every day."
Flynn outdueled Matthew Stafford, who threw for 520 yards with five TDs and two interceptions. Detroit (10-6) has lost 21 straight road games to the Packers, including the postseason. The Lions, in the playoffs for the first time since 1999, could have clinched the No. 5 seed with a win. They will visit No. 3 seed New Orleans.
According to STATS LLC, it was the first time in NFL history that opposing quarterbacks each threw for 400-plus yards and at least five touchdowns in a game. The combined 971 net yards passing broke the record of 906 set in Week 1 this season by the Patriots and Dolphins.
Jordy Nelson had nine catches for 162 yards and three touchdowns for the Packers. Calvin Johnson had 11 receptions for 244 yards and a TD for the Lions.
With the day off, Rodgers' season quarterback rating of 122.5 broke Peyton Manning's record of 121.1 set in 2004.
Falcons 45, Bucs 24:Julio Jones caught two TD passes in 26 seconds, Michael Turner ran for 172 yards and two scores and host Atlanta (10-6) used a team-record 42 first-half points to clinch the NFC's No. 5 seed.
The Falcons had the tiebreaker because they beat the Lions Oct. 23. Atlanta will visit the winner of Sunday night's's Cowboys-Giants game.
The Bucs (4-12) lost their 10th in a row, leaving coach Raheem Morris' status in doubt.
