A Super preview?
Rodgers, Lacy, defense play star roles for Packers
D Aaron Rodgers passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns as Green Bay holds off New England for a 26-21 victory.
green bay, wis. » Aaron Rodgers made trademark pinpoint passes. Eddie Lacy powered out tough yards on the ground. Green Bay’s defense held firm in a frantic fourth quarter.
This could be one super combination for the Packers.
Rodgers threw for 368 yards and two touchdowns, and Green Bay held off the New England Patriots 26-21 in a matchup of Super Bowl contenders Sunday.
“We have some big goals, and we’re getting into December football now with a chance with everything right in front of us,” Rodgers said.
He bested Tom Brady in the first meeting of the superstar quarterbacks as NFL starters. They were the main attractions in a down-to-the-wire thriller.
Rodgers connected with Richard Rodgers and Jordy Nelson for long touchdowns in the first half.
Leading by five points, the defense made a late stand for the Packers. With Green Bay back in zone coverage, Mike Daniels and Mike Neal combined to sack Brady on third down for a 9-yard loss, and kicker Stephen Gostkowkski pushed a field-goal attempt of 47 yards wide right with 2:40 left. The Packers clinched their win when Rodgers converted to Cobb on third-and-4 with the Patriots (9-3) out of timeouts.
“The point total was enough to win the game,” said coach Mike McCarthy, whose Packers are 9-3. “I thought (the) defense did a lot of good things, and really I think the end of the game is what you’re looking for as a coach.”
Not quite the ending Brady had in mind.
“I hate to take a sack in that situation. I really would have liked to score there,” he said. “I just wish we would have won this one. We put a lot into this one, and this was a great test for us. I think the guys knew how important this was for our season.”
Brady finished 22-of-35 for 245 yards, including two touchdown passes to Brandon LaFell for New England, which had its seven- game winning streak snapped. The second TD pass came from 15 yards early in the fourth quarter to get the Pats within 23-21.
Rodgers finished 24-of-38, while Lacy had 98 yards on 21 carries.