Packers extend perfect winning streak with hard fought 35-26 win over Buccaneers – NFL Recap
Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers had another big game for his team sending three touchdown passes to help his team maintain its perfect start to the season and get one game closer to football immortality as they held off Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win 35-26 at the Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The Buccaneers came into this game on the back of a three game losing streak but did not look intimidated by the best team in the National Football League this season and could have even run out unlikely winners late in the fourth quarter, with the match precariously poised at 26-28 the Buccaneers tried a sneaky on-side kick which did not work out and the Packers recovered possession with Rodgers sending an eagle eyed 40 yard pass that found Jordy Nelson in the end-zone to make the game safe.
"We wanted to get the ball and win," Bucs Coach Raheem Morris said. "We are not going to apologize for being aggressive. When you play the Green Bay Packers, you got to play aggressive, you got to go out and make plays. (You've) got to steal possessions."
Buccaneers Quarterback Josh Freeman had a great game completing 28 of 38 attempted passes and covered 342 yards during the game as his team went the closest to handing the Packers their first loss of the season.
"I think it was great for us," Packers Coach Mike McCarthy said. "Adversity is awesome. We're getting ready to play a big game on national TV on Thanksgiving, and adversity (offers) healthy situations to learn from. Especially when you overcome it."
Green Bay took the lead in the first quarter at 2:51 through defensive lineman B.J Raji who powered his way through traffic and got his team up 7-0.
Rodgers then delivered one of his hallmark passes early in the second quarter from 5 yards to Tom Crabtree who scored the touchdown to double the Packers advantage. Buccaneers responded a minute later through running back LeGarrette Blount who ran for 54 yards overpowering at least six Packers defensemen to score one of the touchdowns of the season and the Bucs cut the Packers lead to just four points as Connor Barth sent a field goal from 23 yards with 4 minutes on the dial to make it 14-10. Jordy Nelson got on the score sheet the first time during the night collecting an Aaron Rodgers 5 yard pass at the end of the second quarter to give the Packers a 21-10 lead.
The Packers were leading 21-13 at the start of the fourth quarter but Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued to try and get something from the game. Josh Freeman sent a 9 yard dart to Mike Williams who made no mistake and scored the touchdown to get the Bucs just two points behind the Packers but they failed to get a two-point conversion to tie the game and six minutes later John Kuhn reached the Bucs end-zone from 2 yards to make it 28-19.
Wide Receiver Dezmon Briscoe scored a touchdown from a two yard pass by Josh Freeman to make it 28-26 with just four minutes of regular time left. The Buccaneers then tried a sneaky on-side goal but the Packers recovered possession just in time and Aaron Rodgers sent a 40 yarder towards Jordy Nelson with three minutes left who made no mistake and the Packers made the game safe at 35-26 to continue their chase for immortality.
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