Packers Win In Dramatic Fashion With Last Second Field Goal Over Cowboys

Written by Chris Wesseling at NFL.com

Mason Crosby drilled a pair of field goals over 50 yards in the final 98 seconds, leading the Green Bay Packers to a thrilling 34-31 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Here’s what we learned in Sunday’s game:

1. Including Dan Bailey’s 52-yard field goal and Crosby’s “iced” attempt a split-second before theCowboys called timeout on the game-winner, we saw four successful kicks over 50 yards with the game on the line in an instant classic. Although Bailey’s boot tied the game at 31, it left 35 seconds and a pair of timeouts for Aaron Rodgers to work his wizardry. Rodgers somehow managed to avoid fumbling on a blindside sack by safety Jeff Heath, leading to a third-and-20 desperation play on Green Bay’s 32-yard line. Rodgers escaped the pocket, threw a dime across his body off of one foot into a window the size of the Grinch’s heart for a spectacular 35-yard toe-dragging sideline catch by Jared Cook. Crosby snuck a 51-yard field goal inside the left upright, just moments after sending a knuckleball through the right corner pocket from 56 yards out. He will never buy his own beer in Green Bay for the rest of his life.

2. No Jordy Nelson, no problem. BeforeCowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli dialed up a series of blitzes to confuse Green Bay in the second half, Rodgers had led the Packers to 66 points in the first 74 minutes since Nelson’s Wild Card-round exit last week. Prior to the opening whistle, FOX analyst Troy Aikman declared that Rodgers is playing quarterback at the highest level it has ever been played. Rodgers spent the next 60 minutes of game time proving Aikman right. The man who turned the Hail Mary into a routine play deployed every other weapon in his arsenal on Sunday, extending plays, throwing receivers open, pump faking to dupe defensive backs, picking up first downs with his legs and tricking Dallas’ defense into untimely penalties. Rodgers’ 34-yard touchdown pass to Richard Rodgers was his 14th on a “free play” due to defensive offsides since 2012. No other quarterback has more than three such scores over that span. A master craftsman possessing the position’s most gifted and varied toolbox, Rodgers has advanced the art of quarterbacking over the past two months.

3. The new version of the “triplets” brought the Cowboys back into the game just as the Packers were threatening to run away and hide with a 28-13 lead late in the third quarter. While social media was clamoring for a Tony Romo appearance, rookie quarterback Dak Prescott hit 13 of 17 throws for 142 yards, two touchdowns and a two-point conversion in his final three possessions. Directing a textbook one-minute drill, he picked up 42 yards in six plays to give Bailey an opportunity for the game-tying field goal.

Fellow rookie Ezekiel Elliott churned out 125 yards on 22 carries, highlighted by a phenomenal spin move on Clay Matthews to set up Dez Bryant’s seven-yard touchdown that ultimately tied the contest at 28 with five minutes remaining.

To continue reading this article, click here.

×

Eye Popper Digital is the premier digital advertising technology and solutions firm. We’ve developed ad units that run across both desktop and mobile driving high-impact viewability, engagement and revenue for publishers and advertisers.

Learn more about us.