The Green Bay Packers are the 2011 NFC North Division Champs as they secured their spots in the National Football League playoffs yesterday with four weeks of regular season action still to go. But, they had to do it at the very end, with the ball at their own 20 in a tie game with 58 seconds remaining against the tough New York Giants. But Aaron Rodgers took over and dissected the Giants secondary, and with Mason Crosby punching through the game winning 30-yard field goal as time ran out to keep the Packers undefeated through 12 games with a 38-35 win Sunday in front of 80,634 fans at MetLife Stadium. This win clinched a playoff spot for the 12-0 Packers, who clinched the NFC North Division title thanks to the Detroit Lions' loss to New Orleans on Sunday night. Now that the division race is settled, what remains is the battle with 10-2 San Francisco for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs, and then a shot at NFL history to become only the third team to go unbeaten and untied in the regular season. Aaron Rodgers is the leading candidate for most valuable player and the primary reason the Packers have won 18 consecutive games dating from last season, was only decent, by his own standards: Rodgers completed 28 of 46 passes for 369 yards and 4 touchdown passes, with one interception (5th for the year). But his Packers receivers were dropping to many passes (5) and at the wrong times, and ending good drives. Clay's 38 yard interception for a TD, was a huge swing in the game. B.J. Raji awareness to pick up a fumble was another heads up move. Charles Woodson fist pumping to congratulate Hicks after he got schooled on a nice TD catch was "Classy". Some injuries, that could be hurting the Packers in the future could be to RB James Starks and his ankle and Woodson with a mild concussion. The only bad one looked to be to TE Andrew Quarless who leg went in a really goofy way. We really hope that Andrew is alright for the future.
Packers receiver Greg Jennings said; "I definitely thinks it helps us in the long run." "We haven't had a game like this all year, down to the wire, last drive, it's pretty much on us, kind of do or die, because you never want to go to overtime and give them a chance, they had momentum, give them a chance to get the ball back and see what happens. It was a great overall win, tested our poise and resiliency."
Congrats to the Green Bay Packers and everyone involved in the organization for becoming 2011 NFC North Champions. Let's make it 2011 Super Bowl Champs! Let GO! PACK GO! and hit 13-0 and 19 in a row next week, against the Oakland Raiders.