NFC Divisional Round Recap
Rodgers Solidifies Himself As One Of The Best In A Game For The Ages; Falcons knock Seahawks out of the Playoffs
Green Bay Packers @ Dallas Cowboys
Yesterday’s NFC Divisional Game between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys proved to be one of the best. This game had been anticipated by fans and reporters for the entire week and rightfully so. The 13–3 Dallas Cowboys sent out their star rookie Quarterback, Dak Prescott and Running Back, Ezekiel Elliot. The Packers, unfazed by the #1 seed Cowboys, sent out their future Hall Of Famer, Aaron Rodgers and an offense that has been on a tear lately. The high scoring matchup featured a monumental comeback, brilliant play-calling, amazing passes, remarkable catches, and clutch kicking. Despite the Cowboy’s brilliant season, most fans predicted a cheese party.
The game started off as usual. The Cowboys marched down the field with precision led by Pro Bowl QB, (rookie!!) Dak Prescott. Using his plethora of receivers, Prescott hit three different receivers on his first drive that resulted in a 50-yard field goal for Dan Bailey. Feeling good about themselves, the Cowboys walked off the field having forgotten about someone: Aaron Rodgers.
The only thing better than Aaron Rodger’s arm is his head. While orchestrating a beautiful drive, Rodgers dished a 15 yard bullet to Wide Receiver Randall Cobb that threaded the ‘Boys defense. That play set up a 1st and 10 on the Cowboys 35. With a hard snap that baited their d-line offsides and allowed for a free play, Rodgers hit a streaking Richard Rodgers for a 35 yard touchdown and a 7–3 lead. The bomb was only a warning signal from the Green Bay Packers.
On their next possession, the Packers were down on their 12 yard line with a 3rd and 7. Rodgers, in classic Ernest Hemingway-fashion, scripted (get it?) a beautiful drive that included a 31 yard bomb to Wide Receiver Davante Adams. The drive was capped off with a goal line touchdown from Running Back Ty Montgomery which extended the lead to 14–3. After the Packers D shut down Prescott for a quick 3 and out, Rodgers took the field again and with 12 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter he had ample time for another score. This frenzied drive included a 31 yard reception by rookie receiver, Geronimo Allison, and 20 yard run by fullback, Aaron Ripkowski. Two plays later, Montgomery jumped into the end zone for his second TD of the game. Up 21–3, things were looking glum for the Cowboys.
Perhaps Dak Prescott was listening to the FOX broadcast in his helmet. As soon as Troy Aikman commented that “There’s no question that Romo gives them an opportunity for more big plays”, Prescott led a monster drive. After a few big plays by rookie Elliot and star receiver, Dez Bryant, Prescott hit Bryant for a 40 yard touchdown to trim the lead to 21–10. On the following Cowboys drive, Bailey hit another field goal, this one from 30 yards out, to tack on 3 points. Heading into the locker room, the Boys were still down 21–13.
The Packers came out strong in the 2nd half. On their first possession, Rodgers hit two improbable passes. First to a barely open Randall Cobb, followed by an insane pass to Jared Cook. This led to a 3-yard TD pass to the Tight End, Cook, which extended the lead to 28–13. Just as the Cowboys seemed to primed to mount a comeback and drove the ball to the Packers 21, cornerback Micah Hyde picked off Prescott. However, Cowboys’ Safety Jeff Heath responded almost immediately by intercepting Rodgers, the quarterback’s first interception in eight games.
Backed up on his own 21 yard line, with 1 minute left in the 3rd, Prescott had to pick up the pace. After a few strikes to his receivers, he led a quick an 80 yard drive which resulted in a 9-yard TD reception by future Hall-Of-Famer Jason Witten. This cut the game down 28–20.
The Cowboys defense knew they needed to stop the Packers on the ensuing drive. On 3rd and 5, safety Barry Church dove into Rodgers for a sack, handing the ball back to the Cowboys. After multiple big plays (and one defensive pass interference), Prescott hit Bryant, again. This time for an 8 yard touchdown to bring the game within 2. Opting to go for 2, Prescott rushed up the gut to tie up the game.
After trailing 21–3, the Cowboys finally tied up the game. Now it was all up to the Packers. Streaking down the field, the Packers had to settle for an impressive 56-yard field goal by Mason Crosby. With 1:33 left in the game, Prescott had his chance to become the hero. Just like the Packers, however, he had to settle for a field goal. Just as impressive, Bailey nailed down a 52 yard field goal.
35 seconds left.
This is how legends are born.
After a huge sack by the Cowboys, the Packers faced a 3rd and 20, down on their 33 yard line. Spinning to his left, evading defenders, Rodgers pulled off one the greatest passes in playoff history. While on the move, he sent a 30 yard bomb that nailed Jared Cook right in the chest. As Cook fell, with his feet barely inbounds, the first referee called it incomplete. Then, a second referee came over, overruling the incomplete call and declaring it a catch. With 3 seconds left, the amazing play paved the way for Mason Crosby to cement himself as one of the most clutch kickers of all time. After Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garret iced Crosby, he nailed a 51 yard field goal as time expired.
Game over. Packers move on to the Championship round where they’ll play the Atlanta Falcons.
Seattle Seahawks @ Atlanta Falcons
The NFC West leader, Seattle Seahawks traveled to Atlanta to face off against the 2nd seed Falcons. The Hawks boasted the Legion Of Boom, and a top tier defense. The Falcons sent out MVP candidate, quarterback Matt Ryan and their dynamic receiver Julio Jones. The game was projected to be shut-down defense v.s. a high scoring offense, but just ended up a beatdown.
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks started off the game beautifully. After a long drive, Wilson hit tight end Jimmy Graham for a short touchdown. That proved to be the only bright spot for the Hawks. Matt Ryan responded right away with a quick strike to Julio Jones. After Seahawks receiver Paul Richardson’s long touchdown was called back, the Seahawks settled for a field goal to open the game up 10–3. Things got ugly for the Seahawks on the next possession.
After Devin Hester’s 79 yard punt return was called back due to a holding on the Seahawks, the ball was placed on the 1-yard line. As Wilson dropped back to pass, the backup center accidentally stepped on his right foot. Wilson crumpled to the floor helplessly as the Falcons tackled him for a safety. The Falcons took advantage of the blunder as Bryant hit a 35 yard field goal attempt to take the lead 12–10. With 2 and a half minutes left in the 2nd quarter, Ryan hit a streaking Tevin Coleman for a 12 yard touchdown reception. The Falcons went into halftime up 19–10 with much more in store.
Ryan opened up the half with a beautiful drive that resulted in a short touchdown run by Devonta Freeman to really open up the game, 26–10. After exchanging field goals, Ryan came right back with his third touchdown of the game, this one to receiver Muhammad Sanu Sr.
The Seahawks tried to mount a comeback, but with more penalties and a costly interception by Russell Wilson, they ended up losing 36–20. In a game with few bright spots for the Seahawks, Matt Ryan demonstrated to everyone why he is in the MVP discussion. His 338 passing yards and 3 touchdowns led the Atlanta Falcons to the NFC Championship gamewhere they will host the Green Bay Packers.
Tune in to The Ticket as our reporters will give their predictions on the AFC and NFC Championship match ups.
