Packers are heading to NFC title game after defeating Seahawks

It was never going to be easy, but the Green Bay Packers did it.

A 28-23 victory over the Seattle Seahawks means the Green Bay Packers are on their way to the NFC Championship Game.

It felt all too familiar as the Seahawks fought back from an 18-point deficit at halftime, but this story had a different outcome than five years ago. As this Packers team has done all season long, they made the important plays when they needed them most.

With under five minutes remaining, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks had possession and an opportunity to put together a game-winning drive. Preston Smith had other ideas, making his most important play of the year with a sack on third down to force a punt.

Aaron Rodgers then ensured Wilson wouldn’t get the ball back. On third-and-8, he threw a beautiful pass on the money to Davante Adams to extend the drive. And with an opportunity to close out the game on third-and-9, Rodgers found former Seahawk Jimmy Graham, who was able to pick up the all-important first down.

Rodgers was sharp all game long, finishing with 243 yards and two touchdowns, both to Adams in perhaps the receiver’s career-best performance. He finished with 160 yards and two scores. Aaron Jones took his touchdown tally to 21 for the season with two more in this game.

As is so often the case, the Smith Bros. were the stars of the show on defense. They had identical statistics of two sacks, four quarterback hits and a tackle for loss.

Importantly, this team knows how to win. They’re now 14-3 on the season and have won six straight. They’ve got hot at the right time, which is exactly what they need for a rematch with the San Francisco 49ers next week.

They face a tough challenge against the top-seeded Niners, but the Packers are just one win away from the Super Bowl.