The Dallas Cowboys (11-3) and the Green Bay Packers (10-6) continued a storied rivalry last night inside A.T. &T. Stadium last night. Outside the weather was tornado like, with lightening storms along with torrential rainfall. Inside, 100,000 football fans got to watch one of the best NFL Playoff games ever. High scoring, hard hitting, fast paced exciting football is normally missing from the playoffs. The Packers and the Cowboys changed that last night.

Dallas scored first with a field goal, but Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers led the Packers back to a 21-3 lead.

With about seven minutes left in the half Dallas was down by 18, with Green Bay gaining momentum. Cowboy quarterback Dak Prescott changed that a minute and a half later throwing a 40 yard touchdown to Dez Bryant. Dallas added a field goal, and the halftime score was 21-13 Green Bay leading.

Most watched game since Super Bowl

This game was the most watched Divisional Playoff game ever on any network according to the overnight ratings. Over 48 million viewers tuned in to watch the game, more than any other telecast of any kind since last year’s Super Bowl. The television ratings for the NFL needed this kind of game, ratings had been down substantially before the recent elections.

The third quarter began with Rodgers putting more pressure on the Cowboys.

Packer tight end Jared Cook caught a three yard touchdown pass from Rodgers increasing the lead 28-13 early in the period. The rest of the third quarter was spent with each team wasting opportunities. Dallas was driving down the field as time expired in the quarter with the score still 28-13.

Fourth quarter excitement

The fourth quarter could not have been much more exciting, especially the last four minutes.

Less than four minutes into the quarter Prescott hit Jason Witten for a six yard score making it 28-20. Ten minutes later Prescott hits Dez Bryant for a 40 yard touchdown making the score 28-26. Dallas Head Coach Jason Garrett decides to go for a two-point extra point, which he seldom does. Prescott ran the conversion in himself tied up 28-28.

Rodgers tries to lead the Packers down field, the drive stalls, and Packer kicker Mason Crosby gives the lead back to Green Bay. Crosby kicked two field goals in less than two minutes to preserve the win for Green Bay. Cowboy kicker Dan Bailey gave the Cowboy faithful hope, by kicking a field goal from 52 yards to tie the game with 35 seconds left. Crosby as time ran out kicked his second field goal over 50 yards to win the game 34-31.

Green Bay in the Super Bowl?

This NFL Playoff game lived up to its billing. Two really good teams playing to the best of their abilities right down to the last second, who could ask for more? Rodgers made one of the best pass and catch plays with Cook that may ever be made.

Prescott, Elliott, and Bryant all played to their potential, but in the end Aaron Rodgers was just too good.

Rodgers after Dallas beat the Packers earlier this year, said the Packers would run the table. Possibly he was right, many had Dallas picked to play New England in the Super Bowl. Rodgers changed that last night. Atlanta having beaten Seattle in the other NFC Playoff game, hosts Green Bay next week in the NFC Championship Game. The winner of that game goes to the Super Bowl against the winner of New England vs Pittsburgh next week at New England.
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