Packers knock off Seahawks to reach NFC Championship Game

Updated: 12:45 a.m., 1/13

GREEN BAY — The Green Bay Packers built a comfortable lead before hanging on in the final minutes to claim a 28-23 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in a NFC Divisional Round playoff game on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

“Well, all I can say is that was pretty indicative of our entire season right there with another game going right down to the wire," said Packers rookie head coach Matt LaFleur.

As it was for most of the regular season, it was the Aaron Jones and Davante Adams show on offense for Green Bay, while Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith starred for the Packers' defense. Jones and Adams scored two touchdowns each, while the Smiths registered two sacks each.

Green Bay started hot on offense, and with the defense helping out by forcing several Seattle punts, the Packers were able to build a 21-3 halftime lead.

But the Seahawks found some rhythm in the second half, mostly due to the escapability of quarterback Russell Wilson, and were able to trim the deficit down to five with over nine minutes to play.

With Seattle nearing midfield with about three minutes left, a gassed Green Bay defense needed a big play. Preston Smith came through for the team, sacking Wilson on third down to force a punt.

Green Bay's offense never gave the ball back, running out the final 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

"It wasn’t always pretty at times, but you know, it was great at the end of the game there — we made plays when we had to," said LaFleur. "Our defense stepped up and was able to get that sack on Russell."

It was a sigh of relief for Packers fans after the team's playoff meltdown against the Seahawks back in 2014.

Now, the Pack is just one win away from playing in the Super Bowl. Green Bay will head to California to take on the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at 5:40 p.m.

Green Bay's offense (which started Jared Veldheer at right tackle after Bryan Bulaga was a late scratch with an illness) accumulated 344 total yards for the game, getting things started on the first possession of the game.

It took the Packers just 4:23 to move the ball 75 yards. Jones busted free for a 23-yard run on the first offensive play before quarterback Aaron Rodgers found Adams for 14 yards and tight end Jimmy Graham for 13. Rodgers found Adams wide open up the left sideline on a 20-yard pass to cap the drive.

It proved to be a sign of things to come for Adams, who set a new Packer playoff game record with 160 receiving yards. He finished the night with eight receptions.

After the teams traded several punts, Seattle found the scoreboard late in the opening quarter when kicker Jason Myers connected on a 45-yard field goal.

The Packers' offense responded by scoring touchdowns on its final two drives of the half.

Rodgers connected with Adams on passes of 11, 18 and 15 yards before Jones powered into the end zone from a yard out to make it a 14-3 game. After Seattle missed a field goal, the Packers' offense put together an 11-play, 60-yard drive that culminated in another 1-yard touchdown run from Jones.

Up 21-3 at the half, Green Bay looked to be on its way to a rout, but Wilson turned in a jaw-dropping second half to will Seattle back into the game.

Seattle scored touchdowns on its first three drives of the half. Green Bay was only to match the first one, when Rodgers hit Adams for a 40-yard touchdown on what was an incredible route and run after the catch by Adams.

In the third quarter, Seattle possessed the ball for almost 12 minutes. A four-and-a-half minute drive midway through the final quarter by the Packers' offense gave the defense just enough of a breather to put together one final stop.

Rodgers completed two big passes on the offense's final drive to help run the clock out. The veteran QB threw a perfect pass to Adams for a 32-yard gain on third-and-eight before connecting with Graham for just enough on a third-and-nine play.

“It’s a special feeling. That’s kind of what we talked about in the huddle before the last drive — these are the moments that you work for and you think about in the offseason, the chance to put a game away," said Rodgers of the final drive.

For the game, Green Bay converted on nine of its 14 third-down chances. The Packers also scored touchdowns every time they reached the red zone and didn't turn the ball over.

Green Bay will look for a similar showing against the 49ers, who dismantled the Packers 37-8 on Nov. 24.

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