Seahawks stun Packers with controversial TD as time expires

SEATTLE -- In a bizarre ending that capped a brutal weekend for replacement officials, the Seahawks somehow beat the Green Bay Packers, 14-12, last night in a game that's certain to re-ignite frustrations over the locked-out refs.

Russell Wilson threw a disputed 24-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate on the final play of the game, a game that finally ended 10 minutes later when both teams were brought back on the field for the extra point.

Wilson scrambled from the pocket and threw to the corner of the end zone as time expired. Tate shoved Green Bay's Sam Shields out of the way, then wrestled with M.D. Jennings for possession. It was ruled on the field as a touchdown and after a lengthy review, referee Wayne Elliott came out from under the hood and announced "the ruling on the field stands" and CenturyLink Field erupted in celebration.

The final decision is only going to fuel debate about the replacement officials coming off a weekend filled with disputed calls.

"Don't ask me a question about the officials," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "I've never seen anything like that in all my years in football. I know it's been a wild weekend in the NFL and I guess we're part of it now."

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers agreed: "It was awful. Just look at the replay,'' he said. "And then the fact that it was reviewed, it was awful."

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll had a different opinion. "From what I understood from the officials it was a simultaneous catch,'' Carroll said. "Tie goes to the runner. Good call."

Seattle (2-1) won its second straight, while Green Bay (1-2) had its streak of wins in road openers snapped at six.

Wilson's heave came at the end of a final frantic drive after Seattle had previously missed on a fourth-down attempt from the Green Bay 7 with 2 minutes left. The turnover on downs appeared to end Seattle's hopes and cap an impressive second-half comeback by the Packers and Rodgers, who was sacked eight times -- all in the first half.