Packers 38, Giants 35
Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdowns, Mason Crosby kicked a 30-yard field goal as time expired and the Green Bay Packers kept their perfect season alive with a 38-35 victory over the host New York Giants on Sunday.
Clay Matthews returned an interception 38 yards for a score and Greg Jennings had a touchdown catch for the Packers (12-0), who have won 18 straight and clinched a playoff berth.
Green Bay survived a huge scare from a Giants’ team that has a history of knocking off unbeaten teams. The Packers will win the NFC North title if Detroit loses at New Orleans on Sunday night.
New York was trying to end a perfect season for the second time in four years. The Giants (6-6) knocked off the 18-0 New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
They nearly did it again. Eli Manning’s second touchdown to Hakeem Nicks drew New York to within 35-33 with 1:02 left, and the Giants tied the game when D.J. Ware ran in for the two-point conversion.
Green Bay got the ball with 58 seconds left and Rodgers needed just two plays to get the Packers in field goal range. Rodgers hit Jermichael Finley for 24 yards and then hooked up with Jordy Nelson for 27 more.
Three plays later, Crosby split the uprights and sent the Giants to their fourth straight loss.
It was a spirited effort from a Giants team that was embarrassed by New Orleans 49-24 just six days ago.
Lawrence Tynes’ 50-yard field goal pulled New York within 28-27 with just under 11 minutes left. Rodgers responded with his second touchdown to Donald Driver – a 7-yard strike that gave Green Bay a 35-27 lead with 3:34 to play.