PACKERS BLOW BIG LEAD BUT STRETCH WIN STREAK TO 4
chicago» Aaron Rodgers and the Packers were rolling along with a big lead, looking as though they would take another step toward a playoff berth and the top of the NFC North.
Once it disappeared, they still found a way to pull out the victory.
Rodgers hit Jordy Nelson with a 60-yard pass to set up Mason Crosby’s 32-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Packers to a 30-27 win over the archrival Bears on Sunday in one of the coldest games ever played in Chicago.
Wide receiver-turned-running back Ty Montgomery rushed for a career-high 162 yards and two touchdowns. Micah Hyde broke up a potential go-ahead touchdown pass, and the surging Packers posted their fourth consecutive victory despite blowing a 27-10 lead in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field.
They also moved ahead of Minnesota for sole possession of second place in the NFC North and pulled within a game of division leader Detroit.
The Bears had tied it on a field goal by Connor Barth with 1:19 left. The Packers took over at their 27, and on third-and-11 at the 26, Rodgers unleashed a deep pass down the middle of the field to Nelson, who got behind Cre’Von LeBlanc.
With no timeouts left, the Packers downed the ball before Crosby kicked the winning field goal.
SUNDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
Odell Beckham Jr. made another one-hand touchdown catch to delight replay fanatics, the defense turned in another stifling performance and the Giants inched closer to their first playoff berth since 2011 with a 17-6 win over the Lions that snapped a five-game winning for NFC North-leading Detroit. The Giants’ formula was the one the team has followed in Ben McAdoo’s first season as their coach: Just enough offense and a tough stingy, pass-rushing defense that has now come up with big back-toback efforts against two division leaders (Dallas and Detroit), giving up nine total points. Eli Manning (20-of-28 for 201 yards) threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Shepard on a 75-yard opening drive, then the iced the win with a 4-yard TD pass that Beckham caught with his left hand and pranced into the end zone for an 11-point lead with 5:20 to play. … Andrew Luck threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns as the Colts rolled to a 34-6 victory over the Vikings. Robert Turbin rushed for two touchdowns, Mike Adams forced a fumble and added an interception for the Colts. Frank Gore rushed for 101 yards and Indianapolis won on the road for the fourth time this season. Adrian Peterson had just 22 yards on six carries and lost a fumble in his first game back from a knee injury. Luck completed 21-of-28 passes and was barely touched all afternoon, hitting Erik Swoope for a 27-yard touchdown in the second quarter that gave the Colts a 17-0 lead. … Ezekiel Elliott ran for 159 yards and a touchdown, Dak Prescott completed 32-of-36 passes for 279 yards and the Cowboys won their 12th game, 26-20, over the Buccaneers. Elliott gave Dallas a 10-3 lead in the second quarter with a 2-yard score. Jameis Winston gave Tampa Bay a 20-17 lead in the third quarter with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Brate. Dan Bailey, who missed two earlier field goals, kicked three in the fourth quarter to tie the game, then increased the Cowboys’ lead. … The Browns are two losses from becoming the NFL’s second team to go 0-16 in one season. LeSean McCoy had a season-best 153 yards rushing and scored twice, and the Bills kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 33-13 win. The Browns dropped to 0-14, matching the second-worst start to a season set by the 1976 Buccaneers and 1980 Saints. The 2008 Lions are the only NFL team to finish without a win in a 16-game season. … Devonta Freeman ran for three touchdowns, Matt Ryan passed for two more and the Falcons clinched their first winning season since 2012 with a 41-13 rout of the hapless 49ers. … Drew Brees threw for 389 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Saints past the Cardinals 48-41 in the highest-scoring game in the NFL this season.