Tuesday 17 January 2017 16:54, UK
Mason Crosby made a 51-yard field goal with three seconds left to give the Green Bay Packers a 34-31 win over the Dallas Cowboys. A phenomenal Dallas comeback left the teams tied with four minutes to go, but it was kicker Crosby who edged his side into the NFC Championship game.
In 140 characters...
Exhilarating, nail-biting, exhausting - and that was just watching! Both sides deserved the win but it will be Green Bay who meet Atlanta next weekend.
MVP
Crosby had ice running through his veins, as he added the most important three points of Green Bay's season. After making a season-long 56-yard attempt minutes earlier, Crosby had to take the final kick twice, after Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett called a late time out in an effort to 'ice' the kicker.
It made no difference to the result, as Crosby secured hero status in Green Bay.
Game-changer
With time running out, Rodgers left the pocket and headed to the sideline. Looking downfield, he flung the ball to tight end Jared Cook, who somehow managed to keep his feet in bounds for a 36-yard gain, setting up the FG.
Stat of the night
8 - Rodgers said the Packers would 'run the table'. They not only won their remaining six regular season games, but have now extended that winning streak to eight.
The game
On their opening drive, Dallas took an early lead with a 50-yard field goal but it was the visitors who found the end zone first. In just five plays, Rodgers led his team 75 yards, finishing with a 34-yard throw to tight end Richard Rodgers.
Green Bay extended their advantage early in the second quarter, Rodgers taking advantage of his offensive line protection to find Davante Adams for a 32-yard gain, before Ty Montgomery ran the ball in from three yards out.
Montgomery got his second score of the night from just a yard, extending the Packers' lead to 18. It was the biggest deficit Dallas have faced all season, but the home side hit straight back.
In just four plays, Prescott took Dallas 75 yards, throwing a 21-yard throw to Dez Bryant, before finding the wide receiver one more for a 40-yard score. They added a 33-yard field goal before half time, to reduce the deficit to eight points.
However, Rodgers took back control to start the second half. Without a running play, Green Bay moved 75 yards, throwing to tight end Cook in the end zone for a three-yard score.
The teams then exchanged interceptions on consecutive drives. Micah Hyde read the lateral pass from Prescott, stepping in front and ending a promising attack. However, the Packers couldn't take advantage as Rodgers threw his first pick in eight games, into the arms of a diving Jeff Heath.
Prescott showed more poise as the game wore on, and completed all six passes on the Cowboys' next drive, finishing in the end zone with a six yard toss to tight end Jason Witten.
With four minutes left to go, Dallas tied it up after Prescott connected with Bryant for a seven-yard score, before running in the two point play himself to make it 28-28 and sending AT&T Stadium into a frenzy.
The tension was palpable going into the final minutes of the game, as Rodgers began another assault on the Cowboys defence. However, it was down to Crosby, who converted from 56 yards after the attack stalled.
Dallas weren't defeated, and with just over a minute to play, Prescott found Terrance Williams and Witten for fresh downs, before Dan Bailey made a 50-yard field goal to level once more.
Pressure continued to rise, but Rodgers rallied, throwing down the sideline to Cook, who made a brilliant catch, keeping his feet in bounds to set up the game-winning kick.
Green Bay progress to the NFC Championship game, where they will travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons. It is a heartbreaking end to a superlative season for Prescott and the Cowboys, but their second half comeback fell short at the final hurdle.
