MCT/Green Bay, Wis


With two fourth-quarter scoring drives and two clutch plays by the defense, the Green Bay Packers turned back the Seattle Seahawks, 27-17, on Sunday night in an early season showdown between NFC teams with designs on the Super Bowl.
The Packers improved to 2-0, ended a three-game losing streak to the Seahawks (0-2) and at least partially exorcised their NFC Championship game loss in Seattle last season.
Trailing, 17-16, late in the third quarter, the Packers took control in the final period. First, they put together a 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive, with Aaron Rodgers throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Richard Rodgers.
Green Bay went for two points and converted with a Rodgers-to-Rodgers pass to take a 24-17 lead.
On the Seahawks’ ensuing drive, outside linebacker Jayrone Elliott made a one-handed interception of a Russell Wilson pass.
That gave Green Bay the ball on Seattle’s 37-yard line. The Packers drove to the 3 and Mason Crosby kicked a 21-yard field goal.
The Seahawks’ last-ditch chance ended when Wilson completed a pass to Fred Jackson, who fumbled when he was hit from behind by Elliott. Micah Hyde recovered for Green Bay.
The Packers dominated the first half in building a 13-3 lead. They out-gained the Seahawks, 200-104, and held Marshawn Lynch to 29 yards on 11 carries.
Green Bay scored on its first possession, with Rodgers hitting James Jones for 29 yards on a deep slant. Cornerback Richard Sherman didn’t run hard with Jones and may have been expecting safety help.
It was Jones’ third touchdown in five quarters.
But injuries continued to plague the Packers. Running back Eddie Lacy suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter after carrying three times for 9 yards and did not return. Receiver Davante Adams and defensive lineman Josh Boyd both suffered ankle injuries in the second quarter, though Adams returned in the second half.
The teams traded 54-yard field goals in the first quarter and Crosby converted an 18-yarder with 2 seconds left in the half.