There’s only one thing that can make Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense even more dangerous than they already are and that’s a formidable running game.
On Sunday, rookie running back James Starks gave the team just that when he ran 23 times for a rookie-record 123 yards to lead the Green Bay Packers to a 21-16 upset of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Who needs home-field advantage as the Packers victory capped off a crazy wild-card weekend in the NFL which saw three road teams win. The only home team to move on were the surprising Seattle Seahawks.
The NFC divisional match-ups are set as the Green Bay Packers travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons and the Seattle Seahawks take it to the road in Chicago for a battle with the Bears.
By: Nick Grays
Similar to the week before, a member of the Packers secondary came up huge with game-clinching interception in the red-zone. This time it was Pro-Bowl snub, Tramon Williams, picking off a Michael Vick pass intended for Riley Cooper, preventing a late-rally from the Eagles.
It’s hard to believe that the win was Rodgers first ever in the playoffs. He completed 18 of his 27 passes and connected on three touchdowns to further his quest to be an elite NFL quarterback.
Despite the all-around solid play from the Packers, the Eagles missed many opportunities in the game. Kicker David Akers missed two manageable field goals and Vick failed to convert on 8 of their 13 3rd down attempts.
The Eagles offense also failed to muster anything on the ground as Vick and LeSean McCoy combined for only 79 yards against a Packers defense which ranked in the bottom half of the league against the run. If this is a sign of things to come, the Packers may be a tough out against a Falcons team which loves to pound the ball on the ground with backs Michael Turner and Jason Snelling.
Meanwhile, the Packers will look to avenge a heart-breaking 20-17 loss in Atlanta in week 13. Rodgers threw a game-tying touchdown to Jordy Nelson with 56 seconds left; only to see Matt Ryan and the Falcons charge down the field to set up kicker Matt Bryant for a game-winning 47-yard field goal.
For a more in-depth preview of the Packers and Falcons divisional match-up, check back to The Sports Bank later in the week.
What did you think of the Packers upset of the Eagles? Is James Starks the real deal and will he be important in the upcoming game with the Falcons? Let me know by commenting below!
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