Lambeau Field has been home to many great playoff games. The visiting New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers faced off, as both Aaron Rodgers and Eli Manning have Super Bowl rings. This was the first game of these NFL playoffs featuring two capable veteran quarterbacks.
The first quarter was like two heavyweight fighters just trying to find their rhythm. Either Jordy Nelson of the Packers or O’Dell Beckham of the Giants could change that on any play. The weather was a factor, with a 20 percent chance of snow, along with a single digit temperature by games end, according to the forecast.
The first quarter ended 3-0 in favor of the visiting Giants.
Defensive battle
The second quarter was a defensive battle, with both quarterbacks either running for their lives or being slammed to the frozen ground. The Giants added a field goal before Aaron Rodgers connected with Devante Adams for a five yard touchdown with two minutes left in the half. Green Bay wide-out Jordy Nelson took a helmet to the ribs and had to leave the game on a cart.
Aaron Rodgers did what he does as well as any quarterback in the NFL by moving his team down the field with less than a minute left on the clock. From there he tossed a fifty yard Hail-Mary to wide-out Randall Cobb in the back of the end zone for a touchdown as the first half clock ran out.
The first half ended up with the Packers leading 14-6.
Exciting football breaks out
The third quarter was more of what was expected between these teams. The Giants defense stopped the Packers twice with only one yard to gain, taking over at the Green Bay 42 yard line. Two plays later Eli Manning hit Tavarres King for a 41 yard touchdown, King’s first touchdown as a professional.
Not a bad game for this round of the playoffs. Green Bay answered by taking the ensuing kick-off right down the field, ending with a touchdown pass from Rodgers to Cobb, giving Green Bay an eight point lead 21-13. Green Bay added a field goal, ending the third quarter 24-13.
The fourth quarter saw the Packers take over the game, and Giants wide-out Odell Beckham drop more passes.
Green Bay controlled the ball (along with the clock) as the Giants season ticked away. Six minutes into the quarter, Rodgers hit Cobb for a 16 yard touchdown pass, increasing their lead to 31-13. The Packers iced the game at 38-13 just before the two-minute warning by scoring another running touchdown.
The Packers will travel to Arlington next week to face the Dallas Cowboys in the next round of the NFL playoffs.
