The Green Bay Packers used another spectacular performance from Aaron Rodgers to get a 38-13 win over the New York Giants, advancing them to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. It was an inconsistent performance for both teams, one in which both made several mistakes they'd like to have back. Here are the three biggest things we learned from the game:
3) Aaron Rodgers has a pretty good handle of this Hail Mary thing
Rodgers had another quality performance in this one - 25/40 passes for 362 yards and four touchdowns - but it was his second touchdown that will grab headlines. Just before halftime, he found Randall Cobb in the back of the end zone on a 42-yard Hail Mary, something he has turned into somewhat of a routine:
That play gave the Packers all of the momentum in the game, setting the stage for the win.
2) Landon Collins is the best safety in the NFL
Many players didn't play well for the Giants in this game, but second-year safety Landon Collins had what would be classified as a breakout game. He should earn All-Pro honors this season, so it's not like he hasn't been good, but playing this well on this big of a stage should make him a household name. Collins finished with nine tackles, including a sack, and defensed two passes. He was all over the field making incredible play after incredible play against both the run and the pass, showcasing that he is one of the best, if not the best, safety in the NFL.
1) We're going to hear a lot more this week about that trip to Miami
Remember when the Giants' receivers all took that trip to Miami at the beginning of the week? Of course you do, it was all over every sports media platform. Well, get ready to hear a lot more about it. None of New York's receivers had good games, especially the usual suspects of Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz and Sterling Shepard.
Shepard (four catches, 63 yards) was the only one who totaled more than 30 yards receiving and both Beckham and Shepard dropped touchdown passes - one of a career-high three drops for Beckham. They needed to play well, and they put up some of their worst performances of the season. Get ready for a week of hearing how that trip distracted them - to the point of nauseam.
Back to the Green Bay Packers Newsfeed