The Packers let it get a bit too close for comfort but the key playmakers on both sides of the ball stepped up in at times, spectacular fashion in Green Bay’s 30-16 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field Sunday, improving to 9-3 on the season and inching closer to a second straight playoff appearance under Head Coach Matt LaFleur.
Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams have become an unstoppable combination this year. Continuing his torrid and perhaps third MVP pace, Rodgers hit 25 of 34 passes for 295 yards and three scores for a rating of 128.9. He became the first quarterback in league history to hit 35 touchdown passes in at least five seasons. His third scoring strike was number 400 in his career, just the 7th quarterback to reach that milestone and he became the fastest ever to 400 in just his 193rd game.
Adams pulled down 10 passes for 121 yards and two scores, pushing him to over 1000 receiving yards and a dozen scores in just 10 games played. He becomes just the fifth receiver in history to do that and by catching a TD in his seventh consecutive game, he tied another franchise record held by Don Hutson who accomplished that feat twice.
You want more? Aaron Jones ripped off his career long 77 yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter to put the game away, finishing with 130 yards on 15 carries.
Robert Tonyan continues to lead all NFL tight ends with now 8 touchdown catches, a wide open 25 yarder in the second quarter.
And on defense, the pass rush came up with a season high 7 sacks, from five different players. Kingsley Keke had 2, Za’Darius Smith (now with 10+ for a second straight year) and Rashan Gary each had 1 and a half, Dean Lowry had one, Preston Smith and Raven Greene each shared another. Darnell Savage came up with his third interception in the last two weeks, a diving grab to foil Philly’s final possession.
Too many playmakers making big plays for the Eagles who slump to 3-8-1 on the season.
Philadelphia grabbed the lead with a field goal on the game’s first series that consumed over 7 minutes. Jake Elliott was good from 52. Green Bay’s offense misfired early, Jones dropped a pitchout on the first snap and Rodgers was sacked on second down to force a quick punt. The only other two possessions in the first half ended with touchdowns.
On 4th and goal from the one, Rodgers hit a leaping Adams for the score and the lead to cap an 88 yard drive. The offense then marched 82 yards in less than 4 minutes. Marcedes Lewis got it going with a wide open 36 yard catch and run and on third and four from the 25, Rodgers had all day to find Tonyan who got behind the secondary.
In the third quarter, and Eagle punt pinned Green Bay at the one but LaFleur called a shot play on first down and Adams made a circus catch between two defenders for 42 yards. Allen Lazard pulled down a 31 yard grab and from the 9, Rodgers threw a quick out to Adams who wrestled his way past Darius Slay to the end zone for the milestone 400th scoring pass for Rodgers. Davante knelt down and paid homage to his quarterback who came to greet him and the wide receiver handed him the keepsake football.
Mason Crosby’s point after hit the upright keeping the score at 20-3 but he would make amends with a 48 yard field goal early in the 4th quarter.
Eagles coach Doug Pederson then pulled Wentz for rookie Jalen Hurts who used his legs to get the Philly offense going. He also bought enough time on 4th and 18 from the 32 to find Greg Ward in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown to make it a 23-10 game.
After a three and out from the Packers, J.K. Scott’s low 52 yard punt was mishandled by rookie Jalen Reagor but he had plenty of time to pick it up and move to his right where Kamal Martin missed a tackle that opened up the sideline. Reagor nimbly out maneuvered Scott at the 10 to complete the 73 yard return touchdown, the second given up by the cover team this year. Elliot missed the extra point but it became a one score game at 23-16.
Green Bay gave up the ball gain in short order and the Eagles had 4:49 left to tie the game but the Smith’s sacked Hurts on second down and Philly decided to punt the ball away.
Two snaps later, Jones was on his way with his 77 yard scoring run up the sideline, getting downfield blocking from Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling twice and even tackle David Bakhtiari sprinted down field to help Jones traverse the final five yards for the score.
Savage then ended Philly’s day with a diving interception of Hurts and the Pack ran out the clock for their 9th win in 12 starts.
Green Bay piled up 437 yards to Philly’s 278.
The starting offensive line needed more adjustments against a veteran and strong Eagles front. With Corey Linsley going on injured reserve Saturday, Elgton Jenkins got his first start at center and Lucas Patrick opened at left guard. Billy Turner moved inside to right guard and Rick Wagner opened at right tackle. The line delivered again as Rodgers was sacked on the opening series and the second sack was what Rodgers called an “Elvis” sack. A rush that he swore gained yardage but went for no gain and thus, a sack. Former QB coach Tom Clements said that was in reference to Elvis Grbac, the former Kansas City quarterback who always seemed to run out of bounds at or near the line of scrimmage, hurting the offensive sack numbers with an “Elvis” sack.
It was Turner who made a line adjustment call altering Jones there was pressure coming playside so he could make the backside cut against one less defender and find the seam for his long TD run.
The inactive players included both newcomers last week, receiver Tavon Austin and defensive tackle Anthony Rush.
They should make their debut next Sunday in Detroit when they take on the Lions who got a win in new interim coach Darrell Bevell’s debut against the Bears 34-30. Both those clubs are now 5-7 and the Vikings moved into second place in the North by virtue of their 27-24 overtime victory at home against Jacksonville.
