:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68588135/1293397371.0.jpg)
On Sunday night, the Green Bay Packers were supposed to be in for the fight of their lives. A Tennessee Titans team that needed a win to clinch the AFC South division was coming in to a sloppy, snowy Lambeau Field with the NFL’s best running back ready to plow his way to a big Titans win.
The Packers had other plans.
Instead, it was Green Bay’s massive running back who excelled in the snow, as AJ Dillon ran around and through the Titans’ defense. Mike Pettine dialed up a great game plan for the Packers’ defense against Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill, holding the top-scoring offense in the NFL (coming into the week) to fewer than 275 yards and just 14 points.
Then there’s Aaron Rodgers, who was brilliant in throwing for four touchdowns and showing off his incredible connection with Davante Adams early and often.
The Packers didn’t really need a win over the Titans to clinch the top seed in the NFC. It was always going to come down to next week’s game in Chicago to clinch. But they silenced the doubters, at least for a week, by beating a talented, dangerous team in an ugly outdoor environment that many — including some of us here at Acme Packing Company — thought could be a major problem.
Here’s a look at all of the reactions from Sunday night’s big win.
Packers play their most complete game of season in snowy Lambeau Field | Packersnews.com (subscription)
The Titans came into Lambeau Field looking like they were built perfectly to beat the Packers on a cold, snowy field. Instead, the Packers gave Tennessee a taste of its own medicine with an efficient passing game and a physical, pounding rushing attack.
Packers display 'championship-style defense' vs. Titans – The Athletic (subscription)
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this game, however, was the Packers' ability to contain the run. Derrick Henry did not have a carry longer than ten yards and the Packers held him to just over four yards per carry.
Adversity behind him, AJ Dillon makes statement performance in the snow | Packers.com
The breakout star of the game was of course Dillon, the second-round running back. He recorded his first career 100-yard day and scored two touchdowns, impressing far more than his big, physical counterpart on the other sideline.
Packers rookie A.J. Dillon shines in blowout win over Titans | Packers Wire
Dillon more than doubled the output he had from the rest of the season combined in his game, as he filled in for Jamaal Williams more than adequately.
Aaron Rodgers a near lock for MVP, but Packers not a lock yet for top seed - ESPN
It's still premature to call Rodgers a lock for the award, but that game officially removed Henry from the equation. Given Rodgers' performance in prime time games this year and Patrick Mahomes' surprisingly quiet game against the Falcons, Rodgers should remain the front-runner, though nothing is over just yet.
Mysterious gingerbread monolith appears in San Francisco | CTV News
This is getting ridiculous!