The Green Bay Packers have scored over 50 points in back-to-back games for the first time in franchise history, and they accomplished that feat by demolishing the Philadelphia Eagles 53-20 at home Sunday. Aaron Rodgers put together another MVP-worthy game, throwing three touchdowns and going 22-of-36 for 341 yards. Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson both went over 100 yards receiving for the offense, while the Packers sacked Mark Sanchez three times followed by a Julius Peppers pick-six for the defense.
In case you missed the game, we provide you with a recap of the action below.
First half
Jordy Nelson hauled in a beautiful 67-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers on the team's first drive, setting the Packers up early near the goal line. Philadelphia held their own shortly after, forcing Green Bay to settle for a field goal. Mason Crosby tacked on a 27-yard attempt, capping a seven-play, 75-yard drive to put the Packers up 3-0 right away. The Packers previously scored a touchdown on their last four opening drives, and that streak ended today.
The Eagles punted after six plays on their first drive, giving Green Bay the ball on their 12 yard line. Rodgers connected early with tight ends Andrew Quarless and rookie Richard Rodgers on respective third downs to keep the team's second drive alive. Rodgers hit Quarless on a third-and-18, followed by finding Rodgers right after on a third-and-10 situation. Davante Adams scored from six yards out on a short slant to give the Packers their first touchdown of the game, as Green Bay went up 10-0.
Mark Sanchez was brought down by Letroy Guion and Mike Neal respectively on each of Philadelphia's first two drives. After being sacked by Neal on the second one, the Eagles punted to the Micah Hyde, who in return, took the punt 75 yards back for a touchdown. The Packers started hot once again, leading 17-0 at the two-minute mark in the first quarter.
After generating just 26 yards on their first two drives, the Eagles finally managed move the ball down the field on their third drive through the air. Sanchez connected with running backs Darren Sproles and LeSean McCoy on short passes to move up field, eventually bringing Philadelphia to the Green Bay five. On a key third down after McCoy and Sproles hauled in short passes, Clay Matthews brought down Sanchez in the backfield and forced the Eagles to settle for a field goal. The Eagles finally got on the board, with the Packers still leading 17-3 early in the second.
Rodgers and Nelson followed up Philly's three points by connecting on a beautiful pass down the sideline to increase Green Bay's lead 24-3.Eddie Lacy rumbled from one-yard out for his fifth touchdown of the year, which practically put a nail in the coffin and gave the Packers a comfortable 30-3 lead. Philadelphia would hit a 33-yard field goal as the half expired, but still were down 24 heading into halftime.
Second half
Green Bay opened up the second half with a nine play, 48-yard drive that resulted in a Crosby 33-yarder. Philadelphia's next drive ended after Sanchez was picked off by Julius Peppers who ran back the interception 52 yards for his second pick-six of the season. The interception made Peppers the first player in NFL history to have over 100 sacks, and four interception returns for touchdowns.
After a Jordan Mathews 10-yard score, the Packers responded on their next drive by getting Lacy involved on the ground and air. Lacy rumbled 37 yards down the left sideline, marking his longest run of the season. Shortly after, Rodgers dumped it off to him on a quick pass and the Alabama product broke tackles and carried defenders as he bulldozed his way into the end zone for 32 yards:
If the game couldn't get any uglier, Sanchez couldn't hold onto a snap from his center Jason Kelce, and the ball was recovered by Casey Hayward and returned 49 yards for a touchdown at the start of the fourth. That's all she wrote, as the Packers inserted Matt Flynn on the next drive, putting the final touches on a Green Bay victory.
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Next up:
Green Bay will travel to Minnesota next weekend to face the Vikings outside. The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Detroit Lions, so the Packers are now first in the NFC North.