For the first time since losing Aaron Rodgers back in Week 9, the Green Bay Packers are back in the win column. After trailing 21-10 midway through the third quarter, the Packers rallied back to defeat the Atlanta Falcons, 22-21, on a snow-dusted Lambeau Field.
Falcons vs. Packers 2013 results: Green Bay rallies by Atlanta, 22-21, gets first win without Aaron Rodgers
The Packers keep their playoff hopes alive with a crucial win over Atlanta.
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
With the Falcons driving in the final minute, Jarrett Bush intercepted Matt Ryan with just four seconds remaining to preserve the win and keep the 6-6-1 Packers alive in the postseason hunt.
The loss drops the Falcons to 3-10.
With freezing weather and a struggling Matt Flynn hampering the offense, the Packers leaned on Eddie Lacy early and often. He was the driving force in a nine-minute, 18-play drive that ate up the majority of the first quarter and ended with his one-yard touchdown run to put Green Bay up 7-0.
Back-to-back scoring drives put the Falcons back on top in the second quarter. Ryan hit Drew Davis for a 36-yard touchdown to tie the score, then Tony Gonzalez gave them the lead with a two-yard pass from Ryan.
After adding a field goal, the Packers were driving with hopes of taking the lead late in the first half when a costly Flynn turnover changed momentum. Flynn’s poorly-aimed pass careemed off the foot of a defender and into the waiting arms of the Falcons’ Sean Witherspoon, who chugged 71-yards the other way for the pick-six and a 21-10 lead.
The Packers then mounted a comeback. Mason Crosby connected on a pair of field goals in the third quarter to cut the deficit to five. The Packers then took a 22-21 lead when Andrew Quarless broke free for a two-yard touchdown reception from Flynn.
With just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Green Bay defense made a huge fourth-down stand to help stall a dangerous Falcons drive in their own territory. Atlanta elected to go for it on fourth down from the Green Bay 33, but Ryan’s pass attempt to Gonzalez was batted down.
Injury report
Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud left the game in the first half with a head injury and did not return.
Did they cover?
Green Bay entered the game as three-point favorites, according to Oddsshark.com, failing to cover with the one-point win.
What’s next?
Sunday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m. ET: Washington Redskins vs. Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, Dec. 15, 4:25 p.m. ET: Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys
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