NFL News: Buffalo Bills Keep Aaron Rodgers In Check, Beat Green Bay Packers, 21-13
Dan Carpenter had four field goals and the Buffalo Bills limited Aaron Rodgers to hack out the 21-13 upset victory on Sunday Night Football. The win meant that the Bills kept their postseason hopes alive while the Packers might have lost its chance to top their division.
The game was tied at 10 apiece at halftime but the Bills scored on a pair of FGs while shutting down Rodgers and the Packers in the third quarter to grab a 16-10 lead entering the fourth quarter. Buffalo added another FG to start the final period to net their biggest lead in the game (19-10) before holding off Green Bay’s repeated rallies.
Buffalo’s defensive end Mario Williams blocked a field goal attempt and also forced Rodgers to a fumble late in the game. On offence, the Bills turned to Fred Jones (71 rushing yards on 21 carries) on the ground and had five different players with 22 or more receiving yards led by Bryce Brown, who had 40 yards on a lone catch.
Rodgers finished with just 185 passing yards on an inefficient 17-of-42 completions and ended up with 2 interceptions with no touchdowns. GB’s running back Eddie Lacy had 95 yards on 15 carries and wide receiver Randall Cobb had 86 yards on 7 receptions.
Green Bay still has a chance to win the NFC North but they will likely need to beat the Detroit Lions (10-4) when they meet in their final games of the regular season in Week 17 to grab the division title. Before that big NFC North deciding match-up, the Packers travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers (2-12) while the Lions visit the Chicago Bears (5-8).
The Bills improved to an 8-6 win-loss record with the victory and are just a game behind off a wildcard spot in the AFC. Buffalo has two games left on schedule, both on the road, against the Oakland Raiders (2-12) and New England Patriots (11-3). The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are both at 9-5 while two other teams, Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers, share the Bills’ 8-6 record and tied for the 7th to 9th spot in the conference.
