This game was a surprisingly defensive battle considering the potent offense of each team and the great quarterback play of Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. But Green Bay was in control throughout the game as they never trailed, but that doesn't mean New England didn't scare them on multiple occasions.
On the opening drive of the game, the Packers marched right down the field, mostly behind the power running of Eddie Lacy. The drive stalled out in the red zone, as would become a trend for the Packers in the game, but Mason Crosby put the 32 yard field goal right through the uprights to give the Packers the early advantage. The Packers defense started out well too, giving up just one first down when the Patriots got the ball. Stopping them on 3 straight running plays to force the first punt of the competition. The Packers drove into the red zone again, where Mason Crosby would hit one from 35 yards out this time to give them a 6-0 lead.
Brady hit two passes on their next drive, but it was a three and out as Tramon Williams did an excellent job of tackling in the Packers secondary. On second down he tackled Rob Gronkowski right after the catch, and then it was Julian Edelman on third down just short of the line. After two quick plays to James Starks, the Packers had 3rd and 2 at their own 23 yard line. Then Rodgers moved quickly. He found rookie wide receiver Davante Adams open after a double move for a big gain of 45 yards to the 32 yard line. Then on the very next play he found Richard Rodgers over the middle for the first touchdown of the game. The Packers led 13-0 after the first period.
Tom Brady responded with some good passes to his tight ends on the next drive with Gronkowski catching one for 29 yards and then Michael Hoomanawanui would catch the next one for 23 yards as they quickly moved down the field. Brandon Bolden would be the beneficiary of the passes as he would score a touchdown from 6 yards out to get the Patriots on the board. After another Mason Crosby field goal, the Patriots would drive down the field and get a touchdown to Brandon LaFell to trail 16-14 while it was nearing halftime.
But the Packers excel in the two-minute offense, James Starks had a big catch on a wheel route out of the backfield to get 28 yards to get near midfield. Then Jordy Nelson did his thing, catching the next ball for 8 yards, and the next one for 45 yards and a touchdown. He beat Revis on the play as the Patriots blitzed and did not help Revis to the inside of the field. Jordy Nelson is also faster than Revis and was able to outrun everyone to the end zone and stuck the ball right past the goal line with 14 seconds left in the half as pictured above. The Packers led 23-14 at the half.
No one would score at all in the third quarter, but Mason Crosby did miss a field goal in the cold weather. But there was mainly a lot of punting going on as each team would move a little bit and then punt. But Brandon LaFell would score early in the fourth quarter to close the gap, this time from 15 yards out. The Packers drove back down the field and kicked a field goal with just under 9 minutes left to give them a 26-21 lead.
The Patriots had another chance converting a fourth down earlier on their next drive. But on 3rd and 9 from the Green Bay 20, Tom Brady was sacked by Mike Daniels and Mike Neal for a loss of 9 yards, and Bill Belichick sent out his field goal team. But Stephen Gostkowski missed the kick wide right and then the Packers had the ball back. Eddie Lacy ran the ball twice as the Patriots took their final two timeouts. Randall Cobb made the key catch on third down as the Packers would pick up the first down, go to the two minutes warning and then start kneeling it down from there on.
Next up for the Green Bay Packers (9-3) is facing the NFC South leading Atlanta Falcons (5-7) at home on Monday Night Football. Meanwhile the New England Patriots (9-3) are going to play on Sunday Night, but stay on the road as they go to the west coast to play the San Diego Chargers.