Aaron Rodgers, Packers Beat Cowboys 34-31 As Time Expires To Advance To NFC Championship Game

The Green By Packers had a shaky start to the 2016 season, but now they are just one win away from a Super Bowl LI appearance.

Aaron Rodgers, Packers Beat Cowboys 34-31 As Time Expires To Advance To NFC Championship Game

Aaron Rodgers zipped a 25-yard pass to tight end Jared Cook with 3 seconds remaining Sunday, setting up Mason Crosby’s game-winning 51-yard field goal in a 34-31 road victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

“We’re just going to enjoy this game, enjoy the heck out of it,” said Rodgers.

The Packers will next travel to Atlanta on Sunday to face the Falcons in the NFC Championship Game.

Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott tossed two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, to tight end Jason Witten and receiver Dez Bryant, to help Dallas rally from a 28-13 third-quarter deficit. Bryant’s touchdown and the subsequent two-point conversion tied the game at 28 with just over four minutes left.

That proved to be more than enough time for Rodgers to lead Green Bay on two more field goal drives. Crosby scored a 56-yarder to gain a 31-28 lead with 93 seconds remaining, although the Cowboys countered with a 52-yard field goal from Dan Bailey 58 seconds later.

But Rodgers’ laser to Cook, who managed to get both feet down before falling out of bounds, proved the night’s crucial play.

“I tried to put it in a good spot,” said Rodgers. “He made a hell of a catch.”

Crosby’s game-winner as time expired just narrowly passed inside the left upright.

“That was one heck of a football game to be a part of,” said Packers coach Mike McCarthy. “I just can’t say enough about my football team’s resiliency.”

The thrilling finish was markedly different from that of other games in the postseason thus far. The playoffs’ first six games were all decided by at least 13 points.

Rodgers was at his best, even without star wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who missed the game with a rib injury.

The quarterback finished with 356 passing yards and threw his first interception since Nov. 13 in the fourth quarter. He was nearly picked off again by Jeff Heath, only to have it erased by a defensive holding penalty on Barry Church.

Even Cowboys coach Jason Garrett took the time to praise Rodgers. Garrett said Rodgers “will go down as one of the three greatest to ever lace them up.

Rodgers led the league in touchdowns for the first time in his career this season, reaching 40 for the second time in his career.

Prescott, meanwhile, had a spectacular second half that made the crowd at AT&T Stadium go wild. The rookie threw for 302 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Fellow newbie Ezekiel Elliott ran for 125 yards.

ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 15: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass in the first half during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on January 15, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)