24. Packers 17, Redskins 14 (2007)

It was a nice matchup between two teams with only one loss. The Redskins were 3-1 with their only loss coming in week three to the Giants, while the Packers were coming in at 4-1, but had just lost at home to the rival Chicago Bears. This was also my very first trip to Lambeau Field for a game, and it was not a disappointing game to be at. The Packers trailed for much of the first three quarters, but Charles Woodson would return a 57-yard fumble for a touchdown and the Packers would win 17-14. Some unfortunate history was made, as Brett Favre became the all-time leader in interceptions thrown.

A pair of punts started the game, but the Packers would score first on their second possession. On the first play after the Washington punt, Favre found a wide open Donald Lee, who rumbled for 60 yards down to the Redskins 3. The following play, DeShawn Wynn found paydirt and the Packers took a 7-0 lead.

It took Washington little time to respond, though. It was the Jason Campbell drive. He threw for 52 yards, as well as running in for the score from six yards out to tie the game. A 28-yard pass from Campbell to Chris Cooley set up Washington on the doorstep to tie it. The score would remain that way until late in the second quarter.

Washington took the lead late in the first half on a 63-yard drive. Cooley was Campbell’s favorite target once again. Of the 63 yards on the drive, Cooley had 42 yards receiving as well as the touchdown, a 14-yard pass from Campbell to give the Redskins a 14-7 lead with 1:17 remaining in the half. Mason Crosby would miss a field goal to end the half, and it would be remain 14-7 at the break.

On Green Bay’s first possession of the second half, after a Washington punt, Favre would tie the interception record. He had James Jones wide open, but threw it late and it was intercepted by the late, great Sean Taylor. On their second drive, the Packers would drive deep into Redskins territory. Favre would find Jones open for a 23-yard touchdown, but Mark Tauscher was called for holding. In case you were wondering, that holding the refs called on Tauscher was a really bad call. Green Bay would have to settle for a Crosby 37-yard field goal and the lead was cut to 14-10.

The momentum swung toward Green Bay on the next drive and stayed that way for the rest of the game. After a 40-yard return by Rock Cartwright had the Redskins start in Packers territory, Woodson and Corey Williams gave the Green and Gold the lead. Washington ran a reverse with Santana Moss and while Moss was falling to the ground, Williams swiped his hand at the football and it came loose. Woodson dove over a body to pick up the ball, and without being touched, got up and raced 57 yards for the score to give the Packers a 17-14 lead late in the third quarter.

Green Bay would have a chance to get some breathing room in the fourth quarter after Atari Bigby forced a fumble of Clinton Portis and A.J. Hawk recovered inside the Redskins 10. However, Favre was sacked on third down and Crosby hit the upright on a 38-yard field goal attempt and the score remained 17-14.

Two passes from Campbell to Keenan McCardell moved the ball into Packers territory, but Washington would face a 4th-and-2 from the Packers 33. On the fourth down play, Campbell went back to pass and threw a short pass to running back Ladell Betts, who was tackled at the line of scrimmage for no gain and Green Bay took over on downs. Washington would not be this far down the field again in the game.

Green Bay would throw his second interception, once again to Taylor, to break the all-time record for interceptions. But the Redskins could not put any points on the board in the second half. Washington would go four-and-out to end the game. With no timeouts, Campbell was sacked by Aaron Kampman, and a penalty moved the Redskins back, and Washington would miss it on 4th-and-17 and the Packers held on for the win.

The win started a six game winning streak and catapulted the surprising Packers all the way to the NFC Championship game