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There’s something about Aaron Rodgers Hail Marys in January.
The Packers faced a 4th-and-2 from the Giants’ 42-yard-line with eight seconds remaining in the first half. Rather than try a quick pass to possibly move closer for a field goal, Rodgers went deep and connected with Randall Cobb to send the Packers into the half with a 14-6 lead.
AARON RODGERS: HAIL MARY KING https://t.co/E0PZZp40ZM pic.twitter.com/KZBXBjaVL8
— SB Nation NFL (@SBNationNFL) January 8, 2017
At just 5-10, Cobb was the shortest player in the end zone but somehow came up with the pass.
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) January 8, 2017
The half-ending Hail Mary is a near-exact reversal of what happened when the Packers and Giants met in the second round of the NFC playoffs in 2011. That day, Eli Manning completed a 37-yard touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks as time expired in the first half.
Here's what Eli Manning and the #Giants did at the end of the first half in that 2011 NFC Divisional game: https://t.co/JDs1IiUyWR
— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) January 8, 2017
The Rodgers-to-Cobb connection came after the Packers came up with a key 3rd-and-1 stop on the Giants’ 41-yard line, giving the Packers one last shot before the half. Rodgers and company started at the Green Bay 20 yard line after the Giants punt, going the distance in one minute and 38 seconds.
The Packers will receive to start the second half.