After slow start, Rodgers, Packers overwhelm Redskins 35-18

“I think I want to be where I am wanted“, Cousins said, via the Washington Post.

Instead, the wild-card winners scored more points in a game than they had since September 28.

Late in the second quarter Sunday, Adams had a 20-yard leaping catch down the left sideline to give the Packers a first down on the Washington 10-yard line.

Seattle will play next weekend at Carolina, where the Panthers had a first-round bye in balmy mid-50s weather. The Packers weren’t going to return to the practice field until Wednesday, though planning meetings for the Cardinals game have begun.

Nickel then discussed the upcoming Packers-Arizona Cardinals NFC Divisional Playoff to come (5 p.m. Saturday on 620WTMJ). The Packers defense then dominated the Redskins offense on three straight plays and forced a field goal. Led by linebacker Calais Campbell and the now hurt Mathieu, the Cardinals were fifth in the National Football League in total defense, seventh in points allowed per game, sixth against the run, and eighth against the pass, all while forcing 33 turnovers and holding opponents to a 35.7 success rate on third down.

Kirk Cousins made his first playoff start and was 29 for 46 for 329 yards. The result was what Packers’ fans were used to seeing in the first six weeks of the season when the Packers jumped out to a 6-and-0 start and people were anointing Aaron Rodgers as the NFL MVP. They had all of 11 yards – yes, just 11 – after one quarter.

The Redskins opened the second half with an impressive nine-play, 73-yard drive ending in a three-yard run by Cousins to give the Redskins an 18-17 lead. “They obviously got a little confidence after the way they played yesterday, and they got some healthy offensive linemen back which will make a big difference in the game”. The ensuing drive climaxed with five consecutive running plays, the last a four-yarder by James Starks for a lead the Packers wouldn’t surrender.

Green Bay fell behind 11-0 early in the second quarter before Rodgers, who completed only one-of-eight passes for 11 yards in the opening quarter, got his sides’ attack into gear on an unseasonably warm, windy day in the U.S. capital. He threw for one touchdown and lost one fumble.

By the time the final gun sounded, FedEx had emptied and the Packers were all smiles heading to the locker room where Mike McCarthy beamed over a tough, road playoff victory.

The Redskins led 5-0 in the first quarter, but the advantage could have been larger.

On fourth-and-1 at the Green Bay 24, Cousins hit Reed, who pin-balled his way to the 7. Asked where that self-belief came from, Rodgers said it was because “we’ve been there, done that”. While that game was just a few weeks ago, Arians is not necessarily expecting history to repeat itself.

The score was reversed and Washington got possession on the half-yard line.

But Arizona did meet Green Bay in the playoffs once, and that 2010 matchup at University of Phoenix Stadium was a memorable one. In the second half, James Starks scored from four yards while Eddie Lacy from two as Green Bay ran the football on 13 of 15 snaps.

“There’s a high percentage that they make them, but you’ve still got to do it”.

Aaron Rodgers has more free time on Tuesdays this season now that he is not doing his weekly ESPN Milwaukee radio show.

Later in that quarter, Cousins was strip-sacked by Mike Neal, who also recovered the fumble, which the Packers turned into a 43-yard field goal to trim their deficit to 11-10. Rodgers missed some easy throws early in the game, but once they started moving the ball he looked like his usual self.