Green Bay Packers survive against New York Giants at MetLife Stadium – NFL Week 13 Recap
New York Giants had almost made it, but for Mason Crosby’s 31-yard field goal, set up by none other than Aaron Rodgers, that led the undefeated Green Bay Packers against Giants 38-35 at the MetLife Stadium in the week 13 game of
the National Football League current season on Sunday.
In a thrilling encounter, Rodgers completed 28 of 46 attempted passes for 369 yards. He also recorded four touchdowns and one interception to ensure his team’s undefeated run from the last season remains unaffected.
Rodgers has been one of the best quarterbacks of the league this season. In 12 games, he has successfully completed 288 passes of 408 attempts for 3,884 yards while recording 37 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Packers’ coach Mike McCarthy is indeed pleased to have players like Rodgers in his team.
"I'm running out of things to say about him. He's a great quarterback. Playing against the pass rush they had tonight, he hung in there and made the plays," the coach said.
To underestimate the Giants, who are known for ending the winning streaks of strong teams, would be unjustified. They were just a step short of snapping their three-game losing streak before Packers took the game away. Thankfully
for Giants, Dallas Cowboys also lost their match, keeping the competition in the National Football Conference East division very much alive.
However, the defence remains a cause of worry for Giants, who are 6-6 with just a game behind Cowboys.
"He's a great quarterback, but I expect more out of us on defence," Giants defensive end Dave Tollefson said. "You know, it's not like Jesus in cleats. He's Aaron Rodgers. He's a great quarterback, but we have to do a better job
of finishing on defence.”
Giants started the game off well by maintaining a lead at the end of the first quarter. They kicked off with a touchdown from Travis Beckum, who collected a 67-yard pass from Eli Manning. The reply came from Packers after around
eight minutes when Aaron Rodgers sent a 12-yard pass to Jermichael Finley who scored a touchdown. With two minutes left in the quarter, Lawrence Tynes scored a 38-yard field goal to put Giants in front 10-7.
Packers came back strong in second quarter. They played aggressively and scored two touchdowns while allowing only one to the opponents. At halftime, Packers took the lead 21-17.
With the passage of each quarter, the game became more dramatic. The anxiety remained at the threshold in the third quarter where both the teams managed a touchdown each to enter the final quarter with Packers leading 28-24.
Giants came close in the fourth quarter through a 50-yard field goal from Lawrence Tynes, who reduced the deficit to only one point. Another scoring move could have put Giants in-charge, but as long as Aaron Rodgers was there,
Packers would not stop.
Rodgers found Donald Driver from seven yards and a Packers’ touchdown once again shifted the momentum of the game in their favour.
Things were still indecisive. With only 58 seconds left on the clock, Eli Manning perfectly sent a two-yard pass to Hakeem Nicks, who scored a touchdown to level the score 35-35.
The game was heading towards overtime, but Rodgers initiated an exceptionally quick final drive as Packers rushed for more than 60 yards in around 55 seconds. They called a time-out with three seconds on the clock, and when the
play resumed, Mason Crosby made sure he did not miss the field goal from 31-yards.
Giants missed this opportunity, but they are still very much in the competition. Their quarterback Manning said he was relieved to know that the playoff-doors are still not closed for his team.
"If we handle our business and win out, we'll be in the playoffs. It's a playoff atmosphere now," he said.
As for Packers, they have successfully secured a playoff spot after the victory.
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