Packers Top Plays of 2014, #8: The Longest One-Yard Touchdown in History

The Green Bay Packers were blessed with numerous memorable plays in the 2014 season, many of which came as a result of magnificent individual efforts or in critical situations. Once in a while, however, you have to step back and appreciate a play for its sheer ridiculous nature. That is why the play voted as the #8 play of 2014 is on our countdown.

It's not really a great effort or a great play design. In fact, it is probably most notable for a complete breakdown by the defense. Still, the indelible images of this play are a Packer receiver standing alone in the corner of the end zone and the fact that a pass traveled almost 40 yards in the air but only went in the stat sheet as a one-yard play.

The Situation

The Packers, fresh off a pair of 50-point performances against the Bears and Eagles, are in Minnesota playing the Vikings in week 12. The team is trying to avoid a letdown against a division rival, as the New England Patriots are coming to Lambeau Field a week later.

With the score tied at 7 midway through the second quarter, Micah Hyde intercepts a Teddy Bridgewater pass near midfield. A few plays later, Aaron Rodgers found Andrew Quarless on a deep pass, and he's tackled short of the goal line, setting up a first-and-goal from the one-yard line.

The Play

After the snap, Aaron Rodgers rakes a handoff to Eddie Lacy and bootlegs right. A few of the Packers (John Kuhn and Bryan Bulaga) aren't able to hold their blocks long, and three Vikings pressure Rodgers. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye he spots Richard Rodgers in the far corner of the end zone, all alone. The quarterback torques his body back to face that side of the field, lofting a rainbow throw up as he takes a hit from one of the Vikings players.

The throw is perfectly on target, and Richard Rodgers catches it with a small hop in the corner of the end zone, with no Vikings player within 15 yards of him.

As ESPN discussed the following week, Rodgers' pass was estimated to have traveled about 39 yards before hitting the younger Rodgers squarely in the hands.

The Impact

This score and the ensuing PAT gave the Packers a 14-7 lead, and they would not trail again in this game. The Vikings later cut the lead to 14-13 before the Packers pulled away again, and Green Bay eventually won the game 24-21. The Packers improved their record to 8-3 on the season, while the Vikings fell to 4-7.

The Countdown

#9: Rodgers finds Cobb on one leg
#10: Jordy Nelson completes the comeback