Green Bay gets it done

GREEN BAY, Wis. — This time, the Packers punched back in the second half against Seattle.

Aaron Rodgers threw for two touchdowns and Green Bay outlasted the Seahawks for a 27-17 win last night in a bruising, physical rematch of last season’s NFC title game.

Rodgers orchestrated a 10play, 80-yard scoring drive, capped by a 5-yard scoring pass to Richard Rodgers. A 2-point conversion made it 24-17 with 9:28 left.

Jayrone Elliott made a lunging, one-handed interception of a short pass from Russell Wilson with 6:50 left, one of the rare mistakes in the second half for Seattle’s dual-threat quarterback. The Packers (2-0) cashed in with one of Mason Crosby’s four field goals on the night for a 10-point lead with 2 minutes remaining.

The Packers blew a 16-0 lead against the Seahawks (0-2) last year. They held on this time after giving up a 13-3 lead at halftime.

Rodgers connected with favorite target James Jones for a 29-yard touchdown pass on the game’s opening series. But the offense got bogged down or had to settle for field goals until the fourth quarter.

Rodgers was clutch against a defense missing safety Kam Chancellor, who is holding out for a new contract. Young players such as second-year tight end Richard Rodgers and rookie receiver Ty Montgomery had big plays. So did Elliott, a secondyear backup linebacker.

The Seahawks’ last two series ended in turnovers. Besides Elliott’s pick, Micah Hyde recovered a fumble by Fred Jackson with 22 seconds left.

Rodgers took a knee on the next play to end the game. He finished 25-of-33 for 249 yards.

Wilson was 19-of-30 for 206 yards, while running for 78 yards on 10 carries.

The Packers held Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch to 41 yards on 15 carries. Green Bay counterpart Eddie Lacy left the game in the first quarter with a right ankle injury.