Karlos Dansby set the tone on the first play of the game by breaking up a pass that was intercepted and eventually converted into seven points, stripped veteran Donald Driver on the Packer's third play from scrimmage that was recovered by Alan Branch and also converted into seven points, and ended the contest with a fumble recovery for a touchdown in overtime to seal the deal 51-45 in a wild one.
Michael Adams, the 5'8" reserve defensive back who had been picked on repeatedly in coverage by Aaron Rodgers the past two weeks, initiated the game winning play by causing a fumble while sacking Rodgers.
The DB had been much maligned in games and in fan forums for being a hair late or an inch shy. Michael Adams kept bringing the heat and battled through a long string of near-misses. Several times in the contest he had been very close to making many plays and fell short.
On the final play of the game, his persistence and determination paid off in a big way—as he made the biggest play of his life and the game deciding play of one of the best playoff games in NFL history.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie intercepted Dansby's tipped pass on the first play of the game, but surprisingly lost yardage on the return and he slid to avoid contact or a potential fumble. It was a smart play since he had the awareness and vision to see he didn't have much running room, and he avoided the dreaded double turnover, but it also might given an indication that DRC is not completely healthy.
The best qb rating possible is 158.3. Kurt Warner produced a 154.1 rating by completing 29 of his 33 passes for a whopping 379 yards and 5 touchdowns without a turnover.
With Anquan Boldin being declared inactive for the contest, the entire receiving corps stepped up. Larry Fitzgerald did his usual damage with 2 TDs on 6 catches for 82 yards including a dramatic one-handed diving snare.
Wide receivers Steve Breaston, Early Doucet and Tight End Ben Patrick had their best games of the year, Breaston with the team-high seven receptions and 125 yards and a TD. He also ran for 28 yards on one carry.
Second year receiver Doucet spelled Boldin more directly, and played like him Boldin 2.0. The second-year pro caught 6 balls for 77 yards and 2 TDs. Patrick caught all 3 of the balls thrown his way for 42 yards.
There were a high number of incredible catches tonight. Greg Jennings, Breaston and Fitzgerald in particular had multiple highlight reel receptions.
Beanie Wells broke off a season-long 42-yarder and thundered for 91 tough yards with a 6.5 YPC. Don't you get the feeling we are still just getting a preview?
Jermmichael Finley had 6 catches for 159 yards—and he is a tight end. Finley is going to be a superstar.
I'd like to give a shout out to little known Spencer Havner who scored a TD today for the Packers. He is turning into my own personal more modern version of Jermaine Wiggins, a TE with the Patriots who came out of obscurity to become a vital part of their first Patriots' Brady-led Super Bowl Champion teams.
Things were looking like almost sure defeat when Neil Rackers reverted to his Cincinnati Bengal form and badly shanked a 34-yarder at the end of regulation that would have won it, and then the Packers won the toss to begin overtime.
And then it was Adams and Dansby.