Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The Cowboys’ offseason is going to require open heart surgery because Aaron Rodgers and the Packers just crushed the Cowboys’ Super Bowl hopes in the most devastating way.
Riding Rodgers’ hot hand, the Packers leapt out in front of the Cowboys almost immediately on Sunday, taking an 18-point lead in the second quarter, and then held off the Cowboys’ furious rally. After the Cowboys ripped off 15 unanswered in the fourth quarter to draw even, Rodgers mounted what appeared to be a game-winning drive in the final minutes that ended with Mason Crosby’s 56-yard field goal. But the Cowboys responded with their own clutch drive, which Dan Bailey capped with a 52-yard field.
The stage was set for Rodgers with 35 seconds remaining and the ball at his own 25-yard line. A screen to Ty Montgomery got the Packers to the 42-yard line, but a sack pushed the Packers back to the 32. Only 18 seconds remained and Rodgers fired incomplete.
But on third-and-20, Rodgers did something unbelievable. He spun out of the pocket, waited, and then fired a sideline dart to Jared Cook, who executed perfect footwork before falling out of play at the Cowboys’ 33-yard line. With three ticks remaining, Crosby headed out for another field goal — this one from 51.
He drilled it, but Jason Garrett was granted a timeout just before the snap. Once again, Crosby lined up. Once again, he was perfect.
That’s how the Packers beat the Cowboys, 34-31. They’re now onto Atlanta, where they’ll face the Falcons with a spot in Super Bowl LI at stake. The Cowboys’ dream 13-3 season is over.
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SOURCE: Sean Wagner-McGough
CBS Sports
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