Heading into the legendary Lambeau Field, the Patriots were prepared for difficult test against one of the NFL’s best teams. What they ended up getting was top level game from Aaron Rodgers (and the Packers defense especially), as they handed the Patriots their first loss since September, 26-21. The first half was largely dominated by Green Bay, who went up 16-0 in the game before the Patriots even got on the board. However, in the second half, Packer inefficiency in the red zone began to tell, as Tom Brady and the New England offense proved far more effective getting into the end zone. It was only a late stand (including Rob Gronkowski narrowly not catching a touchdown in the above Patriots highlight) that prevented a New England comeback.

At the outset, it was clear that the Patriots had difficulties with stopping Packers running back, Eddie Lacy. The 230-pound power back overwhelmed the Patriots early, but New England proved able to hold Lacy and Green Bay out of the end zone.

Two field goals and a Rodgers touchdown made it 13-0, but Brady found his rhythm, and Brandon Bolden ran it in for the Patriots to make it 13-7. A two-yard touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell towards the end of the second quarter seemed to put the game back on nearly level terms (14-16), but Jordy Nelson shook free for Green Bay with less than a minute to go in the first half, and restored the Packers’s lead to a comfortable margin.

In the second half, it was largely a stalemate, until LaFell’s second touchdown of the day brought the Patriots back to within reach of the game. A fourth Mason Crosby field goal ensured that Brady and the Patriots offense had to score a touchdown, but it was rendered moot anyway, as Stephen Gostkowski missed a field goal, and the Packers were able to find one more first down to end the game.

It drops the Patriots to 9-3, but they remain not only in first in the AFC East, but also a likely holder of the top seed in the AFC playoff picture.

This was the deciding play of the game, as Jordy Nelson received a pinpoint pass from Rodgers just before halftime, bolting for the end zone:

 

Highlight of the day for the Patriots: Brady found Brandon LaFell to make it 21-26, as New England appeared to be closing the gap, but the effort came up just short.

The last gasp of the Patriots comeback effort was basically this third down sack of Brady. The offensive line’s inability to keep Green Bay’s pass rush off their quarterback (particularly in comparison to the opposite being the case for the Packers offensive line) was the difference: 

Featured image via Ben Resnicow

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