Instant analysis of Packers’ 28-23 win over Seahawks in NFC Divisional Round

Instant analysis of the Packers’ 28-23 win over the Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs.

The Green Bay Packers opened up a 21-3 lead in the first half and then survived a furious Russell Wilson comeback to hold on for a 28-23 win over the Seattle Seahawks during Sunday’s NFC Divisional Round playoff game at Lambeau Field.

Game balls

  • WR Davante Adams: He caught eight passes for 160 yards, two touchdowns and one of the big third-down conversions on the final drive.
  • OLB Preston Smith: His late third-down sack helped the Packers survive. He finished with two sacks and four quarterback hits.
  • LB Oren Burks: He finished with a game-high three tackles on special teams.

Key Stat

9: The number of third-down conversions from the Packers’ offense, including two crucial conversions on the final drive.

Quick takes

– The Packers led 21-3 at halftime but flashbacks of an agonizing afternoon in Seattle in January of 2015 crept into minds during the second half. This team, however, showed real resolve, getting one big stop and one big drive to finish off a win. The 2019 Green Bay Packers just find ways to make big plays late and win games, no matter the aesthetics.

– The dramatic win sends the Packers back to San Francisco, where they lost 37-8 in November.

– Adams had the game of his life. He caught a 20-yard touchdown to cap off the first drive, answered Seattle’s first second-half with a 40-yard touchdown and then helped seal the game with a 32-yard catch on 3rd-and-8 with just over two minutes left. All night long, he delivered in clutch moments with ridiculously good routes.

– Rodgers was terrific on third down. All nine conversions came via his right arm.

– Big props to Jimmy Graham. He converted three huge third downs. The first two eventually ended in touchdowns. The third clinched the win against this former team. His stat line finished at three catches for 49 yards, but Sunday night was his biggest and most important performance as a Packer.

– The Packers defense kept Russell Wilson under pressure for most of the night, but the former Badger quarterback was slippery as ever. He took five sacks but probably avoided 10 others. He was hit 10 times. By the fourth quarter, his disappearing acts had drained the Packers defense. One third-down sack by Preston Smith eliminated Wilson’s final shot.

– Neither team had a turnover, and neither team delivered a stop in the red zone. Overall, only 10 penalties were accepted. It was a clean football game.

– Credit Jared Veldheer. Once again, he played in place of Bryan Bulaga and held his own. Bulaga, the warrior right tackle, missed the game due to an illness that has plagued the Packers for the better part of a month.

– Coach Matt LaFleur became the first Packers coach in franchise history to win a playoff game in his first season.

– Up next: The Packers are headed to San Francisco for a rematch with the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. The winner will go to Super Bowl LIV.

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