NFC North: Week 2 Recap
Sep 20, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
17. 36. 27. 49. Final
From arguably the worst team in the NFL, to possibly the best, the NFC North currently has a wide talent gap. The Packers are the class of the division, and they backed that up on Sunday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks.
It took them a while to get going, but the Packers were finally able to pick apart the tough Seahawks’ defense in the fourth quarter. With the Packers down 17-16, Rodgers put together an impressive 10-play 80-yard drive to give the Packers the lead, and eventual win.
After struggling to make plays on the outside, the Packers used the middle of the field effectively in the fourth quarter. Without bruising safety Kam Chancellor patrolling the middle of the field, there was little the Seahawks could do.
Rodgers had the Packers in the no-huddle throughout the drive, which was highlighted by 18 and 19 yard receptions from Randall Cobb, and an impressive 17-yard catch and run from rookie receiver Ty Montgomery. The drive was capped off with a five-yard touchdown reception from tight end Richard Rodgers, who also hauled in the two point conversion to give the Packers a 24-17 lead.
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The Packers’ defense was able to finish the job, and the offense tacked on three more late in the fourth quarter, with a Mason Crosby 21-yard field goal that sealed the deal. That was Crosby’s fourth field goal on the day.
Quarterback Russell Wilson led the way for the Seahawks’ offense, completing 19-of-30 passes for 206 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Wilson showed off his dual-threat ability with an impressive 78 yards on 10 carries for the night. The Packers were however able to keep Marshawn Lynch in check, as the Seahawks’ star back only had 41 yards on 15 carries.
For the Packers, Rodgers was the star like usual (25-of-33 for 249 yards and two touchdowns). Cobb was his favorite target in the game, as he finished with eight receptions for 116 yards.
However, it was not all good news for the Packers on Sunday night, as their star running back Eddie Lacy left the game in the first quarter with an apparent ankle injury. While the x-rays were negative and the injury does not appear to be overly serious, losing Lacy for any period of time would be a huge loss to the Packers’ offense.
That being said, his replacement performed very well on Sunday night. James Starks finished the game with 20 carries for 95 yards. If Lacy were to miss any time, Starks immediately becomes extremely important to the Packers.
With an impressive victory over a legitimate Super Bowl contender, the Packers are one of the best teams in the NFL, and the class of the NFC North. There is a lot of unknown in this division, but that much is absolutely clear.
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