With 12:58 to go in the 4th quarter Packers Quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, dropped back to pass and then hit Marquez Valdez-Scantling on a quick slant route over the middle for an 11 yard touchdown. The ensuing PAT extended the Packers’ lead to 28-17 and gave Rodgers, the NFL reigning MVP, a tie for first place among Packers QBs with 442 touchdown passes tying him with his predecessor Brett Favre for the Green Bay record. “It’s a special feeling to still be playing and still feel like I can play at a high level,” Rodgers said after the win. “This is a big win for us, on the road, to seal up the division and we’re onto the next goal”. He added.
On Tying Favre’s TD Passes Record:
“It means a lot…I’m gonna text him when I get back in the locker room. Its been a special run for me to be able to follow up a legend…hopefully I can break that record at home on Christmas next week,” Rodgers said. The win gives the Packers the NFC North Division title for the 3rd straight season and 8 in the last 11 seasons, exemplary of Rodgers’ excellence at QB.
POG: Play of Game:
The Ravens scored with :42 seconds left in the 4th Quarter to cut the Packers lead to 1 on a Tyler Hundley 8 yard scramble up the gut. Ravens’ coach John Harbaugh decided to go for 2 and the win and Hundley rolled right and threw to TE Mark Andrews, (who gave the Packers fits all game) and the pass was broken up by S Darnell Savage in the endzone to secure the win.
Milestone Miss?
Did you know it when you saw it? When Rodgers hit WR Davante Adams for a 2 yard TD with a quick pass to the right with 1:13 to go in the first half, the TD marked Adams 70th as a Packer, moving him past former WR Jordy Nelson for 2nd place on the Packers all-time TD list (Hudson 99).
The win was a typical victory for Green Bay this season. Aaron Rodgers was spectacular, as usual throwing 3 TD passes and spreading the ball to 9 different receivers with no interceptions. The defense did just enough to earn a win with box end Red Zone stops on the Ravens’ first and last drives of the game. And the special teams was, well, frankly, not so special, almost costing the Packers a road win with continual bad kick and punt coverage.
The Facts:
Packers 31 Ravens 30
Turnovers: 0/0
Sacks: 3/18 vs 1/4
First Downs: 26 vs 24
3rd&4th DN: 5/9 vs 9/17
Rushing: 25/96 vs 26/143
Passing: 23/31 for 268 vs 28/40 for 215
Penalties: 8/76 vs 8/56
The Feelings:
Wonderful:
The win on the road in Baltimore keeps the Pack in the top spot in the NFC Playoff picture and you can bet that has Packers’ fans feeling wonderful about the team and its chances. Packers’ fans are surely hoping for a clean sweep of the teams’ next 3 opponents and thinking of the possibility of hosting another NFC Championship Game at Lambeau.
Encouragement:
Although the Pack special teams need work ,(obviously) Mason Crosby made every kick he tried Sunday and this is sure to be encouraging to Packers fans who have seen Crosby struggle this year.
Confidence:
In so many facets of the Packers’ game there is good reason to be confident. The team never seems to turn the ball over – confidence. The Packers’ make shift offensive line again, gave Rodgers time to have another great game – confidence. And how about confidence in Packers coach Matt LaFleur who wins his third NFC North Title in 3 seasons? More Confidence as it seems that the Pack have plenty of other wide receivers (other than Davante Adams) who can step up and have a big game when they need one.
The Packers next play on Christmas Day, December 25 at 3:30 against Cleveland at Lambeau.
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