Packers keep streak going
Green Bay still remain NFL’s only unbeaten team
Aaron Rodgers wasn’t at his best but the Green Bay Packers were still good enough to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35-26.
With Green Bay leading by two points and trying to fend off a Tampa Bay rally in the fourth quarter, Rodgers found Jordy Nelson for a clinching 40-yard touchdown with 2:55 remaining.
Despite the late-game drama, the Packers took their record to 10-0, leaving them as the NFL’s only undefeated team going into a Thanksgiving Day clash at Detroit.
Josh Freeman threw for 342 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Buccaneers (4-6), who have lost four straight but didn’t back down against the reigning Super Bowl champions.
LeGarrette Blount had 107 yards rushing for Tampa Bay, including a 54-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
The Buccaneers trailed by only four points and seemed to have some momentum when they tried a surprise onside kick before half-time.
After a replay review gave the ball to Green Bay at the Tampa Bay 38-yard line, Rodgers drove for a five-yard touchdown to Nelson that gave the Packers a 21-10 lead going into the half.
Tampa Bay then had a touchdown taken off the board in the third quarter when Kellen Winslow was called for offensive pass interference. The Buccaneers settled for a 32-yard field goal by Connor Barth, cutting Green Bay’s lead to 21-13.
The Buccaneers’ defense got a stop, and Freeman directed an eight-play, 91-yard scoring drive that ended with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams.
Tampa Bay tried to tie it with a two-point conversion, but Winslow – who had a pair of big gains on the drive – dropped a catchable ball in the end zone.
Packers running back James Starks did the majority of the work in an eight-play, 85-yard scoring drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown run by John Kuhn.
But the Buccaneers got another chance when Rodgers threw an interception to Elbert Mack – only Rodgers’ fourth pick this season – and Freeman threw a 37-yard pass to Arrelious Benn to set up first-and-goal at the four.
Freeman then threw a touchdown to Dezmon Briscoe and the Buccaneers kicked the extra point to cut the Packers’ lead to 28-26 with 4:25 left.