New England D Gets Rodgers’ Goat as Pats Top Pack on “SNF”

Green Bay's offense was held in check as the Patriots won 34-17.

New England Patriots' Adrian Clayborn pressures Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the fourth quarter. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
New England Patriots' Adrian Clayborn pressures Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the fourth quarter. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Boston Globe via Getty Images

On a night that was billed as being a showdown between star quarterbacks Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, the biggest pass of the night may have been thrown by Pats wide receiver Julian Edelman.

That toss to James White put the Patriots in position to score a go-ahead touchdown and give them a lead they would not relinquish as New England went on to beat Green Bay 31-17.

A tight game for much of the night, the Sunday night showdown between the Packers and Patriots swung on a key forced fumble by Patriots defensive end Lawrence Guy on Packers running back Aaron Jones.

When the Green Bay got the football back, the Patriots defense tightened up and the Packers punted after just three plays.

“They just adjusted really well,” Rodgers said of the Patriots defense. “We got some things going, and then they adjusted. We had some momentum there in the third quarter and the fourth and then obviously the unfortunate fumble and then we just didn’t – I mean, I missed a couple opportunities there in the fourth quarter.”

When the Patriots got the ball back, New England was able to open things up and Brady tossed his lone touchdown pass of the night.

He finished his night with 294 yards and the score while Rodgers had 259 yards and two touchdowns but failed to rally his team in the fourth quarter.

“We made some plays in the fourth quarter when we needed to,” Brady said. “Anytime you beat a good football team it feels good. So, 7-2 is a long ways from 1-2 where we were.”

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