Crosby hits 28-yard FG to give Packers 3-0 lead over Ravens after first

Packers take 3-0 lead over Ravens after 1st

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Mason Crosby kicked a 28-yard field goal and Nick Collins was part of two turnovers forced by Green Bay’s defense, leading the Packers to a 3-0 lead over the Baltimore Ravens after the first quarter on a chilly Monday night.

Aaron Rodgers went 7 of 11 for 49 yards, but threw his first interception since Nov. 8 against Tampa Bay. Rodgers led the Packers to the Ravens 7 on their opening possession, but on third-and-3, Rodgers’ pass was batted back by linebackers Ray Lewis and Jarret Johnson to right tackle Mark Tauscher for a 4-yard loss.

Crosby’s field goal made it 3-0.

Baltimore’s promising first possession into the Packers’ red zone ended when Ray Rice was stripped by Clay Matthews III and Collins recovered.

The Ravens thought they got it right back when it appeared Dannell Ellerbe stripped running back Ryan Grant, but the Packers challenged the fumble and replays showed that Grant was down by contact before the fumble.

Two plays later, Rodgers forced a deep pass down the left side that was intercepted by Tom Zbikowski, who replaced starting safety Ed Reed (hip) in the lineup.

Baltimore failed to capitalize.

Joe Flacco, bothered by a right ankle sprain, was picked off on a diving catch by Collins, who returned the interception 25 yards.

The Packers (7-4) came into Monday’s game going for their fourth straight win to remain a front-runner for an NFC wild-card spot. Green Bay had won three times in the span of 12 days that ended with a Thanksgiving romp over the Detroit Lions.

Baltimore (6-5) is trying to stay in the middle of the AFC postseason race, too, after an overtime win over Pittsburgh last Sunday.

The last time these two teams played, Rodgers got his first significant playing time as a rookie and the Ravens thrashed the Packers 48-3 on a Monday night in December 2005 in Baltimore.

Even though Baltimore’s defense has long been considered one of the league’s best, Green Bay has allowed an NFL-low 281.5 yards per game and has nine takeaways during its three-game winning streak. The Packers switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 under Dom Capers in the offseason.