Rodgers works Hail Mary magic, Packers beat Giants 38-13

Rodgers works Hail Mary magic, Packers beat Giants 38-13

Rodgers overcame a sluggish start and finished with four touchdown passes, including a momentum-swinging 42-yard heave to Randall Cobb at the end of the second quarter, to lead the Green Bay Packers to a 38-13 win Sunday over the New York Giants in an NFC wild-card game.

The Packers advance to face the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round next Sunday.

Rodgers was 25 of 40 for 362 yards, continuing a remarkable run of quarterback play that helped the Packers win their final six games of the regular season to take the NFC North.

For much of the first half, the Giants’ defense flustered the two-time NFL MVP.

Green Bay scored two touchdowns in the final 2:20 of the second quarter, punctuated by another remarkable desperation pass by Rodgers.

Cobb somehow got behind three defensive backs near the back of the end zone to haul in the pass, getting both feet down before falling out of the end zone.

A Green Bay defense ranked 21st in points allowed (24.3) coming into the game limited the production of Odell Beckham Jr., and the Giants’ receiving corps in spite of a banged-up secondary.

Eli Manning was 23-for-44 for 299 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown pass to Tavarres King in the third quarter.

Rodgers began dissecting the secondary after head coach Mike McCarthy had his quarterback roll more outside the pocket, and the Packers started working the middle of the field.

Cobb had a big night after missing the last two games of the regular season with an ankle injury.