Packers hold off late Eagles rally to win 21-16…
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on January 9, 2011
Michael Vick nearly provided some last-second heroics for the Eagles, until Tramon Williams decided to break up the party.
Williams’ interception thwarted a Philadelphia comeback, as Green Bay held on to win 21-16 on Sunday afternoon from Lincoln Financial Field.
The Eagles failed to capitilize on an early Packers special teams blunder, as Brandon Underwood’s fumble gave Philadelphia the ball at Green Bay’s 41-yard line.
It all went for nothing though, as David Akers missed a 41-yard field goal on the game’s first scoring chance by either side.
Aaron Rodgers & the Packers’ offense got off to a favorable start in the first half, as he connected with Tom Crabtree on a 7-yard score to put the Packers up 7-0 with 8 seconds left in the first quarter.
Green Bay extended their lead to 14-0 on Rodgers’ 9-yard touchdown pass to James Jones, as that made it 14-0 with 5:21 left before halftime.
The Eagles could only muster a 29-yard field goal from Akers as their only points of the first half while DeSean Jackson was out dealing with an ankle injury.
Philadelphia’s defense forced a big takeaway to start the second half, as Darryl Tapp forced a Rodgers fumble, which was recovered by Juqua Parker.
Michael Vick was able to turn the takeaway into points, as he connected with Jason Avant for a 24-yard touchdown to make it a 14-10 game.
Green Bay answered right back, as Rodgers found Brandon Jackson for a 16-yard score, which was his 3rd touchdown of the day & put the Packers up 21-10 with 7:33 remaining in the third quarter.
Akers missed his 2nd field goal of the game in the opening minutes of the 4th quarter, as his hooked 34-yard field goal kept it at a two-possession game.
After a successful defensive stand, the Eagles got the ball back & went on a nearly 5-minute drive that was capped off by Vick’s 1-yard touchdown scramble on 4th & Goal. This cut Green Bay’s lead to 21-16 pending a Philadelphia two-point conversion.
Both of his chances at the 2-point conversion failed, as it was up to Philadelphia’s defense to give Vick another chance.
He got the opportunity, as he drove the Eagles’ offense down to the Packer 38-yard line with 1:02 remaining.
Tramon Williams then ended the game as he intercepted Vick’s intended pass for Riley Cooper at the 9-yard line, which gave Green Bay their first road playoff game win in 14 years.
Afterwards, Rodgers gave credit to his defense for helping secure the win:
“Defense played great. They’ve been carrying us a lot this season. We had three touchdowns tonight, it was enough to win.”
The Packers will travel to Atlanta to face the top-seeded Falcons on Saturday evening, as the winner of that game will either play the Bears or Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game in two weeks.
