The Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers played possum for a half, but they got the playoff monkey off their back, beating the Dallas Cowboys 26-21.
This is the Packers’ first win in the divisional round since their 2010 Super Bowl run and sets up an NFC Championship match-up with the nemesis Seattle Seahawks.
It was a hard-fought win that appeared to be more of the same for much of the game. That being a defense that wasn’t quite good enough and Rodgers not playing up to his usual standards in the playoffs.
The Cowboys held a 14-10 lead at the half and a 21-13 lead in the third quarter, while Rodgers failed to get the offense going. Sometime in the third quarter, Rodgers came on and late in the fourth the defense got the stop they needed, after replay correctly overruled a fourth-down Dez Bryant catch with a little over two minutes remaining.
Rodgers, meanwhile, ended up torching the Cowboys for 317 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions on one leg. Randall Cobb and Davante Adams each had 117 receiving yards, while Richard Rodgers caught the go-ahead touchdown — a 13-yard fastball.
Eddie Lacy ran for 101 yards on 19 carries, rounding out what was an all-around productive offensive day.
Defensively, the Packers did enough, in the process reinforcing what we already knew — they’re a pretty average unit.
While the Packers defense got gouged by Cowboys’ running back DeMarco Murray, who ran for 123 yards and a touchdown, they effectively shut down the Cowboys’ passing game.
Tony Romo threw for just 191 yards and was sacked four times, 1.5 of which came courtesy of Nick Perry. However, Mike Daniels and Julius Peppers provided the bulk of the pressure, while the secondary supplied solid coverage.
The secondary’s play was highlighted by Bryant’s stat line. The first-team All Pro caught just three balls for 38 yards.
Now the question becomes this. Are we ready to start talking Super Bowl?
No, we’re not. Seattle has looked like the best team in football down the stretch and the Packers are traveling to arguably the toughest place to play in the NFL.
That being said, the Packers are in it and they’ve got a fighter’s chance.
That’s all you can ask for at this time of season.
73 Comments
We’re gonna hear a lot about that catch, right call shitty rule. it looked good to me but i’ll take it, sometimes you need to be lucky.
Also props to MM for adjusting in the second half and getting some quick pass plays going. in the first half rodgers was waiting around for too long waiting for stuff to develop. This is the strategy we need to employ against seattle, quick short passes.
yes. The P.I. call on Tramon Williams against Terrance Williams in the 1st half was absolute trash. That was a 4 point penalty rite there….
Yea, it was awful, Tramon is innocent……………..Let me tell you something, Tramon’s game is all about grabbing, pulling, and holding receivers, Thats what Cornerbacks do when they can’t cover anymore. If you re-watch the play, Tramon has his arm around the guys waist, it may or may not have meant much, but it’s a penalty, so don’t whine when the refs call it. I don’t bitch or whine when Tramon gets flagged or beat for passes and td’s…..I just expect it now.
Incidental feet getting tangled. Tramon is a good cover corner & underrated. It was clean coverage.
i won’t be crying if Tramon isn’t back next year, if he is thats o.k. too, i thought it should of been or could of been a non-call with the feet causing the guy to fall, plus the pass was shitty uncatchable…
Agreed… Looked innocent enough and incidental to me. And I won’t miss 38 if he’s gone after the year. That being said, he has had some good games for us and I appreciate that
the ground can cause an incomplete pass? no kidding! when did they decide to complicate a rule that was simple and clear since they invented the fwd pass? the nfl needs to stop complicating the rules and get back to basics that everybody can accept and understand: “if the ball is not kept off the ground [for whatever reason] before the catch is completed, then it is incomplete” how simple is that? then there is no wasting of time with reviewing the role the ground had at all! once we are rid of goodell we can get a “rules simplification committee” that is not beholden to every influential owner’s pet peeve or his darling player’s pet peeve.
another thing: if dez bryant had just gone down on a knee on his way to the ground, instead of lunging for the goal line, he could have secured the ball with ease and rolled over. then they prob. score on the next play or two. the important priorities in the skill set of the nfl WR and the ones that they sometimes forget [esp. in big moments], are: 1) keep your eyes focused on the ball until AFTER you have secured it, 2) never jeopardize your completion by risking losing the ball, or control of it, until the play is whistled over.
’nuff said, and i just want to end my rant by saying to our own WR davante adams: you have been knocking on our front door for awhile, but today you got let into AR’s living room. WELCOME TO THE FAMILY, DA!
i will admit there are those rare exceptions to rule #2 above. most likely when a score is imperative as the game clock is expiring…
The offense has to cough up four quarters of solid football at SEA. Our defense did enough to keep us in the game, providing a stop when DAL was winning 14-7 and looking to make it 21-7. That resulted in the FG and the change of momentum.
It was timely that the offense clicked back into life in the final quarter, because the defense was getting worn down by the run, run, run style of the Boys.
Vince made that happen. Go Pack Go!!!
The only flash from our ST was the deflected FG by Datone Jones, which kept us from falling to a two possession game. Aside from some convenient starting positions for DAL, there was no glaring gaffes this time. That is what is required of them: do not screw up. Then the offense should do most of the team carrying, being helped from time to time by the defense (which should not be overburdened with game winning responsibilities).
We did give them a lot of nice starting field position, though. Surprised we didn’t have a kick blocked, though!
Did anyone notice that shit bird Brad Jones?! Still almost costing us games!
I did, that grab on Murray coming out of the backfield in the first quarter on third down was fucking awful. That’s the kind of shit you do when you know you cant play anymore.
I have been very down on Jones play as an ILB. He does not have good instincts. With that indicated Jones to his credit did make a first down saving tackle late in the game. Good play Jones.
Jones and Tramon are both useless liabilitys on this team. I can see no possible reason they’d be on the team next season.
just give it up. tramon is the best corner gb has had in 20yrs and will be back next year. just stfu
Better than Charles Woodson?…Really?…Stay in school kid.
I think he was in the game 2 plays, one on D…holding one on ST…holding
Playoff win is a playoff win. Rodgers has almost no mobility but it seemed like second half he had more. Pregame shot should be administered closer to kickoff . Next week we will be underdogs and excepted to lose. We can go into this game relaxed and Rodgers relishes the underdog role. Hawks will be bringing the heat non stop.the key will be short quick passes over the middle and lacys ability to get some penetration. We have a punchers chance
I said it before the game and I’ll say it now. Either team winning goes to Seattle and then loses. The only way Seattle gets beat is if they don’t show up and they beat themselves. If you hope for anything, hope for that to happen. Regardless, I’ll be happy with the Packers season win or lose. I feel they overacheived (still missing some pieces) and they are certainly not a team that goes quietly into the night. And Aaron Rodgers is easily the league MVP playing that well on one good leg.
Go Pack!
probably agree although as long as you’re in the game shit is always possible. who knows, maybe we’ll figure out how to beat their secondary and our d will crack that read-option shit? We have been mediocre on the road this season, and I expect that to continue, really only 1 convincing win vs the bears, 2 squeaked out wins vs miami and the vikings, a no contest vs tampa and 4 shoddy performances in the other games. Really shows how important that loss to the bills was, as having the game at ambeau would have been huge.
Why don’t you take that bloody tampon out of your vag and stuff it down your throat.
Attitude like that don’t roll with Packer fans, Hadji.
Stand the fuck down on the ‘all is lost’ bullshit at least until they play the game. What are you, French?
Ha! Love the attitude bud. Sounds to me like you’ve seen some shit in your past.
That being said, I’m not overly excited about our match up. But, you’re totally right. The game is played for a reason. I didn’t give us much hope against ATL a few years ago on our path to winning it all. Ya never know!
“Five letters here just for everybody out there in Packer-land: U-L-C-E-R…..”
Ran outta Zantax halfway through 3rd quarter….
Didn’t match excitement of the real Ice Bowl, but outcome was as good…..
Fuck ulcers. A minor stroke, 2 seizures, a heart attack and a couple of fits of apoplexy.
Godddddaaaaaammmmmmnnnnn, it felt good.
I’ve been waiting for chance to see the Packers play the Pukes at home since the 90’s. Paybacks a a bitch, bitches…..
The cowboys offense averaged 29 ppg this year and were putting up 30-40 ppg the last 6 weeks of the season. I think that holding them to 21 was a great performance you fucking herpe scab.
I think I fucking hate u, Vijay. Talk about a jinx. Stop posting, we don’t want to read the crap u put in posts.
If you love football, you have to love that game.
Hey, MMTTDCSUCK.
McCarthy’s challenge saves the day :)
Where you at now, you unappreciative d-bag?
Big Mike is one of the best. Another great coaching victory for the franchise.
Owning the Bears, ViQueens & Cowboys.
Nice job, Big Mike
Solid. Fucking shitbag hiding in his hate hole jerkin’ the gherkin to pictures of Ed Donatell.
Yeah, and if I was jerkin’ so were you! Fuck you homertards. I root for the Green and Gold, own stock (more than one share of the non par BTW), and most likely have been to more games than both of you fucktards . . .
Big Mike has his moments that can’t be explained in every game, some dumb, strange stuff but all in all he’s pretty good…every time i think he’s a buffoon i look around the league and see who i would rather have….there aren’t many…there are some really bad coaches out there…look at that Calldwell in Detroit now, they’ll be looking for a new coach in two years, he looks like he’s in a coma most of the time like Lovie on the sidelines…I think we are “stuck” with big Mike…even with his dumb time management and leaving a guy like Lacy out for long stretches….anyway, Rodgers makes him look real good..
SWOOP!!!!!!!! We are beating that ass next Sunday you cocksuckers! We are A DYNASTY.
Does anyone pay attention to this mentally challenged seachicken?
The other night I was fucking the nastiest skank I ever boned. After I pulled out and was blowing my load all over her face, she gargled through the jizz-stream, “what will my retarded son, who posts on TotalPackers as SEAHAWKSOWNYOU think?”
Then she started crying.
Whore.
Dick dick that’s all you ever have to post about.
I can smell the cock on your breath through my screen.
You are always talking about ASS! every fucking post. WTF? Stick your tongue in the ass bitch and lick away, and swallow the shit, keep your wish lists’ for ass related sexcapades to the adult friend finder site, or Craig’s list you bandwagon mega fuck.
Let us not forget, TJ Lang is the leading asshole in the state, notable second place going to Brad Jones.
In real time I was convinced that the whistle hadn’t blown yet when he came a crashing in. Then I hit rewind and realized that he probably didn’t need to do what he did. That was a bone-headed move. Cost us on that drive. Luckily it didn’t cost us the game in the end
Lang has always had his moments. . .
Nice call Andrew on Murray fumbling in your predictions. Good win by the packers, besides a couple plays, they did a great job of bottling up Murray. It was just frustrating to see them fail to get off the field on 3rd and short. They need to clean that up next week, especially since they are facing Wilson and lynch next week in those potential situations. Don’t feel good about the game next week, but you never know, just look at the Denver and Indy game right now.
What is the over under on SEAHAWKSOWNYOU coming on here by the end of the night To talk trash?
Pretty good, seeing as though he’s already been here.
He posted while I was typing up my message haha
http://i.imgur.com/bs8w9Vg.jpg
The only thing I have to say is:
HOW ‘BOUT THEM COWBOYS!!
lol…Cant wait to watch First Take tomorrow
And just to get it out of the way before Bayless spews all his bullshit and hate about Rodgers and the Packers.
Bayless is a pedantic, pontificating, pretentious bastard. A belligerent old fart. A worthless steaming pile of cow shit. Figuratively speaking.
Bayless just spews crap for the sake of getting people to watch him. I take nothing he says with any resemblance of professional journalism or respect. He’s the reason I don’t care for ESPN.
What he said asswipe!!
Lotta belly-aching about the Dez Almost-catch. There’s a reason for the Johnson-Bryant Rule….
Receivers getting so many breaks these days, defenders can’t even touch receivers anymore without getting PI call….
You overturn this rule and they might as well convert to touch football…
The defense is better than average. They held Dallas to 21. We should win under those circumstances versus just about anyone. They deserve to be applauded, not called out as average.
There are only 4 defenses left playing right now. I think that should say something for them.
I’ve been critical of them this year, but you’re right. They held Dallas pretty well. They do deserve credit
The defense gave up 145 yards rushing and Tony Romo had a passer rating of 143.6. I dont think i’m calling that elite, or even above average.
Romo was 15/19 with 191 yds passing… Dez had 3-38 yds. The girls had the best line in football with the #1 running back. Given everything I’m pretty happy with the performance… Is it a Super Bowl caliber defense? I don’t think so… But they did do a good job today. I think we need to give them credit
SWOOSH!!!!
The other night I was fucking the nastiest skank I ever boned. After I pulled out and was blowing my load all over her face, she gargled through the jizz-stream, “what will my retarded son, who posts on TotalPackers as SEAHAWKSOWNYOU think?”
Then she started crying.
Whore.
SHEHAWKSBONEWHO?
His mom. But they take off her collar and give her milk one first.
“His” mom? Oh, i get it– SHEHAWK___ is really a tranny HEHAWk ?
That’s the sound of the football going past Sherman’s fat head for a TD.
The sound made by your arse when it evacuates a liter of semen after the Hiltop homeless gents are finished with you.
Did anyone else think the ref on the Dallas sideline was giving awfully generous spots to the ‘Girls on a couple plays? They finally challenged one and I don’t recall another questionable spot after that, but there were two in a row that didn’t appear to be anywhere close to a first down and they gave it to them without even a measurement.
I don’t like to complain about officiating, but those were almost too obvious
Charlie sheen was on the packer sideline late in the fourth quarter. Made me laugh
Was he giving the fish eye to anyone? I can just see Sheen on that call. You know hes got that look, that classic Sheen look with the eyebrow raised.
Please elect savage57…
“official first responder” to all non-Packer fans that troll here….awesome work.
Also….
Please elect savage57….
First responder to those that complain about a win,
And those that butt munch about upcoming or possible impending doom.
Maybe first responder is a lot to ask of him….that’s a lot of responsibility as far as timing. Primary responder, or something like that maybe.
So Dez gets in or on the next play they get in…everyone acts like there was no time left on the clock…for christ sake there was four and a half mins left for the Packers to work into field goal range or TD whichever was needed after a 2 point conversion..if thats what they were to try…they couldn’t stop a red hot Rodgers at that point i almost wish that is the way it would of worked out so to put a stop to all this bullshit…..”almost” i said…hahaha Dallas..
True that my friend….
Unlike the missed PI ref call too late in the game against Detroit that got them here in the first place…
On the Bryant no-catch, I wasn’t really worried. If the Cowboys run it in for a touchdown there’s still about four minutes left. By this time in the game Rodgers was really in his groove. I figured
he’d just march the team down the field quickly for the game winning field goal (or touchdown).
AR was awesome in the 2nd half. he could have beaten any time in the league playing the way he was, even if he had been confined to a wheelchair, LOL.
we are now a complete team with a full set of receivers what with DA having graduated [w/honors] from the GB player development curriculum…