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Lions weary of Hail Mary queries

Allen Park — The Lions seem to understand how unlikely the manner in which they lost to the Packers last week was.

“That’s the name of the play: ‘Hail Mary,’” defensive end Darryl Tapp said Monday. “That’s a prayer. It was answered.”

However improbable the 61-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers to tight end Richard Rodgers was, the Lions staff left itself open to second guessing.

Instead of playing Hail Mary defense, which would include 6-foot-5 wide receiver Calvin Johnson being on the field, the Lions set up for a play with multiple laterals.

“Football knowledge says in that situation they’re going to go for a hook-and-ladder or stuff like that,” Tapp said, defending the staff’s defensive call.