In a game of momentum swings, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers knocked off the No. 1 seeded Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round.
- Dallas Cowboys 31 (13-4)
- Green Bay Packers 34 (12-6)
- NFL Divisional Round, Final, Box Score
- AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Unfortunately, for fans of dem ‘Boys, it was Aaron Rodgers who defied all odds and stole one late.
On a 3rd-and-20 with time dwindling down, the best QB in the game found Jared Cook with just three seconds left on the deep out route:
FACT: It doesn't get any better than this Jared Cook sideline grab.
C-L-U-T-C-H. #GoPackGo #GBvsDAL #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/N66Ir6sctr
— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2017
Not only was the throw money, but the immediate rollout and catch by Cook was legendary.
It led to a Mason Crosby 51-yard field goal that clinched the game for the Pack:
MASON. CROSBY. FOR. THE. WIN! #GoPackGo #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/TOAEmvHmOt
— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2017
Just minutes earlier, Crosby nailed a 56-yard field goal that put Green Bay up three with 1:33 remaining.
However, Dak Prescott and company simply took the ball and marched down the field, tying the game thanks to a long Dan Bailey strike.
The only problem? Well, they allowed Rodgers 35 seconds and two timeouts to work with — a situation that ultimately did them in.
The theme of the contest held firm throughout. Though the Packers jumped on the Cowboys early — going up 21-3 — Prescott and the young Cowboys remained composed. They fought tough, didn’t get away from the run game and showed moxie.
This moxie was on full display when Prescott found Dez Bryant for the game-tying score (plus a two-point conversion) late in the fourth quarter:
.@Dak to @DezBryant = TOUCHDOWN!
And Dak does it himself for TWO!
Incredible. #FinishThisFight #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/146Rzx1OKu
— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2017
Bryant was huge, finishing with 132 yards and two scores on nine grabs. Ezekiel Elliott was also big time (125 yards on 22 carries). Prescott, despite a rough interception on a quick WR screen earlier in the game, wasn’t the reason Dallas fell today.
In the end, the reason Green Bay will advance to the NFC Championship Game in Atlanta comes down to the notion that Rodgers is as good as gets and he did enough against a suspect Cowboys defense. It’s remarkable considering how banged up and poor the Pack’s secondary played as the game marched on.
Rodgers finished the day with 356 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception on 28-of-43 passing.
The Cowboys magical 13-3 season comes to a close, and, worse yet, that Divisional Round hardship they’ve faced over the last decade-plus continues.
It’ll be the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday playing for the right to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
.@Dak. @JasonWitten. END ZONE! #FinishThisFight #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/p906RbhOdW
— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2017
Just like that…
Aaron Rodgers is PICKED!
Jeff Heath is going the other way! #GBvsDAL #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/a22sdfyLGd— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2017
Incredible anticipation. #GBvsDAL #GoPackGo #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/6yafvy0c6Y
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2017
Everything about this @AaronRodgers12-to-@RCobb18 connection is… WOW. #ToeDragSwag #GoPackGo #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/BdQge9X6of
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2017
Aaron Rodgers + Jared Cook…
Too easy! #GoPackGo #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/8SS6TNeU3L— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2017
PERFECT @Dak pass.
BEAUTIFUL @DezBryant grab.That's a @DallasCowboys TD. #FinishThisFight #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/TFsl6MQie6
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2017
.@TyMontgomery2 LEAPS for 6! #GoPackGo #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/97DVuyczh2
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2017
When @AaronRodgers12 gets out of the pocket…
Just incredible. #GBvsDAL #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/GyFn57nzff
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2017
Aaron Rodgers.
Richard RodgersHELLO, END ZONE! #GBvsDAL #NFLPlayoffs https://t.co/qiZHGF1lhb
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2017