Rodgers solid as Packers beat Vikings 24-19
Photo
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) congratulates Korey Hall (35) after Hall caught a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game Monday in Green Bay.
GREEN BAY — Aaron Rodgers passed his first test as the Green Bay Packers' new quarterback, throwing for 178 yards and a touchdown and scoring on a game-clinching sneak in a 24-19 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.
Rodgers got help from the Packers' special teams, running back Ryan Grant and safety Atari Bigby to beat a bitter division rival in his first regular-season start, which came in the wake of Brett Favre's offseason unretirement saga.
Will Blackmon's 76-yard punt return gave Green Bay a 17-6 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Minnesota's Tarvaris Jackson answered with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Sidney Rice on fourth-and-1 to cut the Packers' lead to five with 14:12 remaining. But a 2-point conversion attempt failed when Jackson threw a pass slightly behind Rice in the back of the end zone.
Grant then broke free for a 57-yard run midway through the fourth quarter, giving the Packers (1-0) first-and-goal at the 2. After a penalty against the Vikings (0-1), Rodgers was stuffed on his first attempt at a quarterback sneak but plunged into the end zone on the second try.
He emphatically spiked the ball, then jumped into the stands for a "Lambeau Leap" as Green Bay took a 24-12 lead with 6:03 remaining.
Jackson then led the Vikings on an 11-play drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by Adrian Peterson, cutting the Packers' lead to 24-19 with 2:39 remaining.
An onside kick attempt by Ryan Longwell bounced out of bounds, giving the ball back to the Packers at their own 39. But the Packers had to punt, giving the ball back to Minnesota at its own 31 with 1:51 remaining.
But with the Vikings driving near midfield with under a minute remaining, Bigby stepped in front of Jackson's pass for an interception to put the game away.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Sep 10, 2008 at 12:32 a.m.
Suggest removal
It was very interesting to note that the Las Vegas over/under for the packer season win total was..........8
.
I really pondered pulling the trigger on the over; as I LOVE to play teams over who loose a big hype player, as the numbers are often WAY over calculated and adjusted to low. I passed on it though; as I had better plays. Namely New England under 12.5 wins. Talk about dumb luck on that wager. Brady gets hurt in game 1, and is out for THE SEASON! They might as well just let me cash that wager now!
Sep 10, 2008 at 12:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
What's the story with Rodgers' roommate?
Sep 9, 2008 at 11:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
9-7
Sep 9, 2008 at 9:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
Have you heard this one. http://www.americancomedynetwork.com/bit...
Sep 9, 2008 at 9:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
THE TEAM WAS SOLID NOT JUST RODGERS.....Returns and running game isnt all Rodgers credit IT IS TEAM WORK!!!!!!!!!
Sep 9, 2008 at 9:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
I grew up in Janesville, but have lived in northern CA for a long time. I remember when Joe Montana left for Kansas City. The fans thought it was the end for the 49ers. In stepped a new QB named Steve Young.
Give Aaron a chance. He's obviously ready. Look how well he played last night, even under the tremendous media and fan pressure.
He learned from the best. I'm behind him and the Pack 100%. 12-4? Maybe not in his first season, but he'll get us there.
Sep 9, 2008 at 8:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
Ok it was one game....and there are 15 more to go....the Bears won so GB and Bears are tied ...there's a long way to go before I'll get excited.
Sep 9, 2008 at 8:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
Just remember, it was one game! I remember a six game stretch, starting with a win over GB, where R. Grossman was looking like an MVP and playing great. During the Pack game, Rex made a throw off his back foot, beautiful play, they compared the play to B. Favre.
Grossman is now 2nd string behind K. Orton.
Nice game by Rogers but don't get ahead of yourself. Trust me, I did and it is a horrible fall.
Sep 9, 2008 at 8:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
favre retired?? kewl....
Sep 9, 2008 at 8:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
Brett who?????
A great opening game for the Pack. Good to see Rodgers succeed after all the negativity surrounding him. He'll be even better if we can stop making stupid penalties and McCarthy opens the playbook past page 3. Not going for the end zone once at the end of the first half was chickensh__. And that last three and out when one first down ices the game was very weak. All in all, a great game against the North Division pre-season favorite. I like it.
Sep 9, 2008 at 7:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
12-4
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.