Fireworks In Arlington: Why the Green Bay Packers won
By Kenn Korb
Drawing In The Sand
This sort of thing is what goes down into the historical lore surrounding a player once their career is in the books.
On that final drive for the Packers, there was little time to work with for Green Bay; just 35 seconds remained available as the team began their drive from their own 25.
Following a couple quick plays, Green Bay was at their own 42 with 23 seconds left. Just another 15-20 yards, and we’d be looking at a field goal for Mason Crosby, who’d already made one previously.
The next play surprisingly didn’t end the drive, but it could (and maybe should) have: a blindside sack at full speed by Jeff Heath of the Cowboys seemed like it should have knocked the ball loose from Rodgers’ hand.
Somehow, even with only one hand on the ball, Rodgers held on without an issue; he instantly and calmly rolled up out of the hit to call a timeout.
Despite keeping control of the ball, the situation still wasn’t looking great for the Packers’ hopes of winning in regulation: just 18 seconds remained, and at least 30 yards would be needed for any sort of viable field goal attempt.
An incompletion came next, leaving the Packers with 0:12 on the clock and a 3rd and 20; overtime was all but assured.
Or so it seemed.
Rather than face the perils of random chance brought on by overtime, Rodgers drew up his own play on the fly. In the huddle, he motioned out routes with his hands for each receiver.
Once the play started, he calmly rolled out to his left; buying some time and constantly looking downfield, he eventually zings the ball deep.
Cook was there right along the sideline, and he somehow managed to not only bring in the ball, but successfully drag his feet immediately before crossing over the rapidly-approaching sideline.
But really, just talking about it doesn’t do the play justice; you’ve got to go back and watch it.
The play gave the Packers just enough to get Crosby in range for his long game-winning field goal try; without it, maybe Green Bay finds itself gazing from the couch instead of taking the field in the Georgia Dome.