Packers backup Flynn torches Lions with record-setting day

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- With Aaron Rodgers resting up for the playoffs, Matt Flynn had to be ready to run the Green Bay Packers offense.

Was he ever.

As Rodgers bundled up on the sideline in cold and windy conditions at Lambeau Field, Flynn set franchise records with 480 yards passing and six touchdowns -- the final one to Jermichael Finley with 1:10 left, giving the Packers a 45-41 victory over the Detroit Lions in a wild regular-season finale Sunday.

"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 and everything. I couldn't have done it, obviously, by myself. There's weapons all around me, and the line did a great job. It's one of those games where it got to a shootout, and we just kept having to match each other."

It was an ideal afternoon for the Packers (15-1), who had already secured NFC home-field advantage for the playoffs and got to rest Rodgers and several other big-name players without losing momentum going into the postseason.

Flynn barely got the Packers past Matthew Stafford, who threw for 520 yards and five touchdowns, with two interceptions, for the Lions (10-6). Detroit has lost 21 straight road games to the Packers, including the postseason.

"We're going to use this as motivation," Stafford said. "We had a chance and didn't get it done, so we've got to get out there and start making it happen. We've got to get on a run here. That's what it's all about in the playoffs, getting hot, and hopefully we can get that going."

The Lions head to the playoffs for the first time since 1999, earning a wild card, but they could have clinched the No. 5 seed with a win. Instead, they'll be the No. 6 seed and go to New Orleans.

"This certainly wasn't a throwaway game for us," coach Jim Schwartz said.

It was the first time in NFL history opposing quarterbacks each threw for 400-plus yards and five-plus touchdowns in a game. The teams' combined 971 net yards passing broke the record of 906 set earlier this season in a Week 1 game between New England and Miami.

"Flynn played a great game," Stafford said. "Their guys were making plays all over the field and scoring points."

For Flynn, it was a huge day that could eventually lead to a significant payday. A seventh-round pick out of Louisiana State in 2008, Flynn already had the attention of general managers around the league after he nearly beat New England last season while Rodgers was recovering from a concussion.

Now he has a huge performance and a victory under his belt, and he'll become a free agent in the offseason.

"We're going to miss him," guard Josh Sitton said, adding that he thought Flynn should sign with an AFC team.

For now, though, Flynn is ready to get back to his main role in Green Bay: Helping Rodgers get ready to lead the Packers back to the Super Bowl.

"We've got the best quarterback in the NFL as a starter here, so it's not hard at all," Flynn said. "He's the heart and soul of this team and the leader of this team. So it's pretty easy to take a back seat and watch him play, and I'm excited to see what he does in the playoffs."