Packers get past Seahawks and into the NFC Championship Game
The Green Bay Packers will play in the NFC Championship Game next week after their 28-23 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night.
In their first home playoff game since a win over the New York Giants in the wild-card round three seasons ago, the Packers drove down the field and scored a touchdown on their opening possession. They added two more scores in the second quarter to take a 21-3 halftime lead. Seattle scored a touchdown in the third quarter but the Packers answered with a touchdown of their own to pull ahead 28-10. The Seahawks scored twice to cut it to 28-23, but the Packers made a key defensive stop and Jimmy Graham caught a pass on third down to move the chains and seal the victory.
My thoughts on the game:
Davante Adams saw a lot of action as he had 8 receptions for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the first one of the game. Aaron Jones got the drive started with a 23-yard run. He didn’t put up monster numbers on the stat sheet but he ran it in for 2 touchdowns. Jimmy Graham had 3 receptions, all resulting in first downs, including the one that clinched the game.
There was controversy early in the game. On Seattle’s first offensive play, Russell Wilson hit Jacob Hollister for a first down but he fumbled the ball as he was going down. The officials ruled him down by contact and Matt LaFleur challenged it right away. After a review, they ruled it a fumble but no clear recovery, even though Chandon Sullivan came away with the ball. That cost the Packers a timeout and a challenge. They stopped Seattle from getting any more first downs but it cost the Packers almost 50 yards of field position.
Despite the controversy, the Packers scored 21 points in the first half and led by 18 at halftime. That is quite a contrast to the slow starts they had in their final 2 games of the regular season. Seattle did a good job making adjustments and scored touchdowns on their first 3 possessions of the second half. Russell Wilson got it done with his arms and his legs.
The Packers really needed their defense to come up huge when Seattle had the ball with 4:54 left and trailing 28-23. After a first down, the Packers stopped Seattle with Preston Smith sacking Wilson on third down. After a punt, the Packers needed first downs and Davante Adams came up with a clutch 32-yard reception to move the chains. Despite the catch, the Packers still needed one more first down to seal the victory and Jimmy Graham got just enough to pick up the first down. It went to review and the first down was upheld. After some kneeldowns, the Packers and their fans were able to celebrate victory.
There are many arguments about whether a bye week helps or hurts a team more. I think the bye definitely helped the Packers in this game.
This was not the Super Bowl or even the NFC Championship Game, but the win still felt great, especially after what happened the last time these two teams met in the playoffs. Many Packer fans were waiting for another chance to play Seattle in the postseason.
This win guarantees the Packers will be in the NFC Championship Game and they will be traveling to Santa Clara once again to face the San Francisco 49ers, who advanced with their 27-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings. The last time the Packers lost a game, it was to the 49ers in the same venue they will play the title game next week. This is a different game and a different week though. I’m sure the Packers have learned many lessons since that game.
In the meantime, I think we should just celebrate this win for a few days. It always feels good to win and advance in the playoffs, and the further they advance, the sweeter their wins become.
It’s only going to get harder but the Packers are one of four teams remaining and they are two wins away from where they want to be. Unlike 28 other teams, they have a game to play next week. Great win Packers! Let’s keep it going!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
