GREEN BAY, Wis. — This time, the Green Bay Packers punched back in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks.
Aaron Rodgers threw for two touchdowns and the Green Bay Packers outlasted the Seattle Seahawks for a 27-17 win Sunday night in a bruising, physical rematch of last season’s NFC title game.
Rodgers orchestrated a 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive, capped by a 5-yard scoring pass to Richard Rodgers. A 2-point conversion made it 24-17 with 9:28 left.
Jayrone Elliott made a lunging, one-handed interception of a short pass from Russell Wilson with 6:50 left, one of the rare mistakes in the second half for Seattle’s dual-threat quarterback. The Packers (2-0) cashed in with one of Mason Crosby’s four field goals on the night for a 10-point lead with 2 minutes remaining.
“We’re 2-0. It was a great night here at Lambeau Field,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “You sleep better when you win.”
The Packers blew a 16-0 lead against the Seahawks in the playoffs last year. They held on after giving up 13-3 lead at halftime on Sunday.
The Seahawks, who fell to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl last year, dropped to 0-2 for the first time since 2011.
Rodgers connected with
Rodgers was clutch against a
The
The Seahawks’ last two series ended in turnovers. Besides Elliott’s pick, Micah Hyde recovered a fumble by Fred Jackson with 22 seconds left.
Rodgers took a knee on the next play to end the game. He finished 25 of 33 for 249 yards.
Wilson was 19 of 30 for 206 yards, while running for 78 yards on 10 carries.
The Packers held Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch to 41 yards on 15 carries.
“The
Green Bay running back Eddie Lacy left the game in the first quarter with a right ankle injury.
But backup James Starks kept Packers running game going with 95 yards on 20 carries.
Crosby also had a memorable night. With four field goals and an extra point, the veteran set the franchise record with 1,057 career points.
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AP NFL
Genaro C. Armas, The Associated Press
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