Stunning comeback leads Packers over Cowboys

Week 15
December 15, 2013 - 3:25 p.m. - FOX
AT&T Stadium
Arlington, Texas

Packers 37 - Cowboys 36

The Packers shocked the world with a 23-point second half comeback victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Texas matching a record for the largest comeback in franchise history.

The first half was a complete disaster for the Packers.  The Cowboys absolutely embarrassed the Packers in the first half of play.  DeMarco Murray was running all over the defense.  Tony Romo was carving up the secondary.  The Packers went into the locker room trailing 26-3 with the bus starting to warm up for the trip back up north to Green Bay.

The Packers mounted a second half comeback that tied a franchise record set in 1982.  How did they do it?  The Packers had six possessions in the second half and scored a touchdown on five of them with the sixth possession ending in the victory formation.

Photo credit: espn.com

 The Packers opened up the second half with a four-play drive thanks to a 60-yard run by Eddie Lacy.  From that point forward, the Packers kept gaining momentum as the comeback began.  A huge difference in the second half was the quarterback play from Matt Flynn.  Part of this success was due to better play calling by Mike McCarthy.  You could notice as the second half continued the confidence in this football team.  It appeared as they were reborn.  They showed life.

Photo credit: SportingNews.com

The defense was shredded by Tony Romo and company in the first half.  However, in the second half, they came to play.  The defense sacked Romo three times in the ballgame (Daniels, Neal, Matthews/D. Jones).  Most importantly, the Packers caused turnovers.  The Cowboys had five possessions in the second half: field goal, punt, touchdown, interception, interception.  Tony Romo is known for throwing late game interceptions; and boy did he live up to that reputation.

With the Packers trailing 36-31 with under three minutes to play, all the Cowboys had to do was run the ball.  DeMarco Murray had dashed the Packers for 7.4 yards per carry.  However, Romo checked from a run to a pass and threw an intercepted to Sam Shields at midfield.  The play sparked the Packers sideline.  Flynn led the Packers 50 yards as Eddie Lacy capped the drive diving into the end zone to give the Packers the lead for the first time with a minute and a half remaining in the ball game.  In the Cowboys final drive, Romo did it again as he was intercepted by Tramon Williams to seal the epic comeback.  The interception was ruled incomplete in the field, but a booth review overturned the call in the Packers favor.

Matt Flynn finished the day with 299 passing yards, four touchdown, and one interception.  Jarrett Boykin had a nice day hauling in six balls for 83 yards.  Andrew Quarless continued his excellent play catching six passes for 66 yards including one touchdown.

Photo credit: @PGevensiegle

This Packers victory today, in my opinion, is one of the best Packers victories I've ever watched in my lifetime, excluding Super Bowl 31 and 45.  This game was unreal.  This team never gave up, even when everyone expected them to do so.  I'm very proud of this team.  This victory absolutely sparked this football team.  Could this win spark a playoff run?  Many players after the game said this win felt like they won the Super Bowl.  Maybe this win can be the beginning of something special.  And with rumors of Aaron Rodgers returning next week... this team could become dangerous.

Congratulations to Eddie Lacy as he passed the 1,000 rushing yard mark in his rookie season with his 131 rushing yards today.  Lacy is continuing his fabulous rookie year as he has 1,028 rushing yards in just twelve games.  Lacy in closing in on the Packers franchise rookie record  of 1,105 rushing yards set by John Brockington in 1971.  Lacy already holds the record for most rushing touchdowns as a rookie and added to his record on Sunday with a touchdown in the fourth quarter.  Lacy has been a tremendous bright spot for the Packers this season.  An absolute steal in the NFL draft, in my opinion.

#LifeWithoutAaronRodgers

#gopackgo

Chicago Bears  8-6
Green Bay Packers  7-6-1
Detroit Lions  7-7
Minnesota Vikings  4-9-1