Rodgers Outduels Brady—Packers Take 26-21 Victory
Sunday, November 30, 2014
The Packers offense came out motivated to run the ball, contrary to what many thought. This appeared to be contrary to what the Patriots thought as well. The Packers started with three consecutive plays to Eddie Lacy, two runs and a pass, combining for 49 yards. The Patriots then insert the combination of Vince Wilfork and Alan Branch to stuff the run and hold the Packers to a 32-yard Mason Crosby field goal, making the score 3-0, Packers.
The Patriots offense, however, could not use the momentum from the defense. They managed only four plays before punting the ball away. On the punt, Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich was called into action with regular long snapper Danny Aiken out with a concussion.
The Packers offense came back out, looking to build on their defensive momentum. Despite getting help from a Brandon Browner penalty, the Packers were held to another field goal. This time, it was a 35-yard field goal for Crosby making the score 6-0, Packers.
After a failed Patriots drive, the Packers converted on a drive that went from Rodgers to Rodgers — Aaron to Richard for a 32-yard touchdown. The drive was highlighted by a great double-move by Devante Adams to get by Logan Ryan for a 32-yard gain. The touchdown came on the next play and made the score 13-0, Packers.
The Packers carried that 13-0 lead into the 2nd quarter before the Patriots offense finally responded with a scoring drive. The drive went for five plays and 73 yards before Brandon Bolden plunged into the end zone from six yards out for his first touchdown of the season. The drive featured the Patriots tight ends — Rob Gronkowski catching a 29-yard pass and Michael Hoomanawanui pulling in a 23-yard catch.
The Packers offense came back out and continued their impressive 1st half offensive attack. They moved the ball back into the Patriots’ red zone, but once again were held to a field goal. The Packers had 1st-&-goal from the Patriots 8 yard line but a Darrelle Revis pass deflection and a Dont’a Hightower sack moved the Packers back and held them to a 33-yard Crosby field goal. The field goal made the score 16-7, Packers.
That defensive hold seemed to ignite the Patriots offense as they came back onto the field and drove 12 plays for 80 yards and took nearly five minutes off the clock before Tom Brady found a wide open Brandon LaFell for a two-yard score. The Patriots took to the air on the drive — highlighted by an 11-yard catch from Rob Gronkowski that showcased his size and ability, breaking four tackles before being brought down. The score made it 16-14, Packers with just over one minute left in the half.
It was Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson that stole momentum back right before the half, however. Rodgers found Nelson in front of Darrelle Revis for a 45-yard touchdown catch-and-run. Nelson caught the ball on a slant route before beating Devin McCourty to the pylon and giving the Packers the 23-14 halftime lead.
The Packers totaled 356 yards in the opening half, including 282 passing yards and two touchdowns for Aaron Rodgers. Tom Brady only managed 148 yards and one touchdown in the half with the Patriots totaling only 184 yards. The Packers held the ball for 19:20 in the half, compared to just 10:40 time of possession for the Patriots.
After a failed Patriots drive to open the half, the Packers took over and continued to move the ball with relative ease. Randall Cobb made his first impact play of the game on a 11-yard reception in front of Kyle Arrington. The Patriots did, however, get a sack from Chris Jones which ended up forcing a 40-yard field goal attempt from Crosby. Crosby pushed it wide left, giving the Patriots good field position.
The Patriots finally got their first true stop of the game late in the 3rd quarter, forcing the first Green Bay punt of the game with just over 2:20 left in the quarter.
After a disappointing 3rd quarter from the Patriots, they responded at the start of the 4th quarter. It started with a 13-yard run on 3rd-&-1 by LeGarrette Blount. Blount was hit in the backfield but bowled over Packers defenders to get the first down. He followed that up with another 13-yard run. Two plays later, Brady found Brandon LaFell on a perfect back-shoulder fade for a 15-yard touchdown. The score made it 23-21, Packers.
The Packers offense went back to work on their next drive, but once again stalled in the red zone. For the 4th time on the day, the Packers entered the Patriots red zone, and for the 4th time they were held to a field goal. This time was not because of defensive pressure, however, but a huge Devante Adams dropped pass on a wide open play that would have been a touchdown. The field goal was from 28 yards and made the score 26-21, Packers.
The Patriots took the ball looking to get their first lead of the game. After converting a 4th-&-3 on an out route to Julian Edelman, the Patriots’ drive stalled due to a Packers sack. The Patriots squandered the drive when Stephen Gostkowski missed just his second field goal of the season, this attempt from 47 yards away. The miss gave the Packers the ball with 2:40 left in the game and two timeouts.
The Packers needed to get one first down, and they did just that. On a 3rd-&4, Rodgers had a ton of time and found Cobb for a seven-yard gain and sealed the Packers victory, 26-21.
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It