Packers Hold Off Seahawks Comeback, Win 28-23, Carroll’s Punt Decision Questioned

The second of the two NFC Divisional Playoff games took place in Green Bay and saw the hometown favorite Packers (14-3) defeat the Seattle Seahawks (12-6) 28-23.

With Green Bay ahead 21-3 at halftime, the game seemed to be a lock in favor of the Packers. But a second half comeback by Russell Wilson and the Seahawks put that lock in jeopardy.

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Wilson was 21 of 31 for 277 yards with one touchdown, while also tacking on 64 yards on seven carries. Marshawn Lynch had 12 carries for 26 yards with two touchdowns, proving that ‘Beast Mode’ was alive and well.

With 2:41 left in the fourth, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll decided to punt, putting faith in his defense to make a quick stop against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense. Questions arose of his decision and the reason is simple: He didn’t like the odds of his group getting a first down.

“We were thinking about going for it in that sequence but not at fourth-and-11,” Carroll said. “We thought our odds were so low. We had all the clock, we had the time, we had all the opportunities to stop them to get the ball back. So we didn’t want to put it all on one play.”

They gave the ball back to Rodgers and Green Bay and the score stayed the same until the end. Rodgers went 16 of 27 for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Aaron Jones led the offense in rushing with 21 carries for 62 yards with two touchdowns.

The Packers were able to hold off the Seahawks and continue their run for the Lombardi Trophy. They will head to San Francisco next to take on the 49ers for the NFC Championship game.