Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson's game-winning touchdown reception is the GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week for games played on Dec. 15-19, the NFL announced Friday. The GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week is the best moment or play of the week that represents determination and perseverance.
After the regular season, fans will have a chance to determine the GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Year, from among the 17 weekly winners. Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com/gmc throughout the month of January.
NEVER SAY NEVER MOMENT NOMINEES
Kyle Orton, Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs end Pack's perfection bid: With an interim head coach (Romeo Crennel) and a quarterback (Orton) making his first start for the team, the Kansas City Chiefs managed to end the Green Bay Packers' run at a perfect season and put a halt to their 19-game winning streak, which dated back to Dec. 19, 2010. Orton outdueled Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, throwing for 299 yards compared to Rodgers' 235. Crennel became just the third interim coach in NFL history to beat an undefeated team with nine-plus wins, joining Wally Lemm of the 1961 Houston Oilers and Ernie Nevers of the 1931 Chicago Cardinals (which, coincidentally, also came against the Packers).
Dan Orlovsky, Indianapolis Colts
Colts finally get first victory: The Indianapolis Colts finally put an end to the run toward 0-16 infamy, thanks in large part to a player who had a major role in the Detroit Lions' 0-16 season in 2008. Orlovsky threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne, and then threw a key block on the game-clinching, 80-yard touchdown run by running back Donald Brown. With the 27-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans, the Colts not only avoided history, they also dealt a devastating blow to the Titans' playoff hopes.
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
Lions go 98 yards to rally past Raiders: Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with Johnson on a 6-yard touchdown pass with 39 seconds remaining to cap a 98-yard winning scoring drive. That effort came on the heels of the Raiders taking a 27-14 lead with 7:47 remaining. Still, the Raiders had a shot to claim victory in the end, but kicker Sebastian Janikowski's 65-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by Detroit defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. The win gets the Lions a step closer to their first playoff appearance since 1999.
