GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers were on the field for 2,982 plays combined on offense, defense and special teams in 18 games, including the playoffs, during the 2015 season. Most of those will be forgotten, but some will be remembered for years to come.
As we review the season that ended with an overtime playoff loss for the second year in a row, we look back on 10 plays (in reverse order) that most shaped the season.
Here's No. 3:
Game: Packers vs. Lions, Week 13
Date: Dec. 3, 2015
Location: Ford Field, Detroit
The play: Aaron Rodgers’ 61-yard touchdown pass to Richard Rodgers with no time left on the clock.
Why it mattered: The Lions would argue the play should not have even happened but a face mask penalty on Devin Taylor against Aaron Rodgers gave the Packers an untimed final down. The Packers quarterback heaved the ball so high that it nearly hit the Ford Field rafters and so far that tight end Richard Rodgers caught it in the end zone for an improbable Hail Mary connection that stunned Detroit and sent the Packers into a jubilant celebration. It was the difference between improving to 8-4 and falling to 7-5 heading into the final month of the season.
Quotable: "I'm out of breath," Aaron Rodgers said minutes later on the TV broadcast. "Most amazing game of my life. ... When he caught it, I blacked out."
Previous plays
No. 10: Cornerback Damarious Randall's pass breakup against the Chargers.
- No. 9: Rodgers misses receiver Randall Cobb against the Panthers.
- No. 8: Kicker Mason Crosby's missed field goal as time expired against the Lions.
- No. 7: The Bears' red zone stop on Thanksgiving night.
- No. 6: Rodgers' 12-yard touchdown pass to Cobb in the wild-card playoff win at Washington.
- No. 5: Sam Shields' dropped interception against the Cardinals.
No. 4: The Hail Mary to Jeff Janis against the Cardinals.