Packers vs. Giants 2011: A Historic NFC Divisional Playoff Game

The Setting

The 2011 NFC Divisional Playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants was one for the ages. The game was played on January 15, 2011, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers entered the game as the No. 1 seed in the NFC, while the Giants were the No. 4 seed. The game was a rematch of the 2007 NFC Championship Game, which the Packers won 23-20 in overtime.

The Game

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows throughout. The Packers took an early lead, but the Giants came back to tie the game in the second quarter. The Packers regained the lead in the third quarter, but the Giants came back to tie the game again in the fourth quarter. The game went into overtime, and the Giants won the toss and elected to receive the ball.

The Giants drove the ball down the field and scored a touchdown on a pass from Eli Manning to Hakeem Nicks. The Packers had a chance to tie the game on their ensuing possession, but Aaron Rodgers threw an interception to Giants cornerback Corey Webster. The Giants ran out the clock and won the game 37-20.

The Aftermath

The Giants' victory was a major upset. The Packers were heavily favored to win the game, but the Giants were able to pull off the improbable victory. The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl that year, defeating the New England Patriots 21-17.

Key Stats

• Aaron Rodgers: 26/46, 264 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
• Eli Manning: 31/50, 330 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
• Hakeem Nicks: 10 catches, 144 yards, 1 touchdown
• Jordy Nelson: 7 catches, 101 yards, 1 touchdown

Quotes

"This is a dream come true. We never gave up, and we always believed in ourselves." - Eli Manning

"We're all disappointed, but we have to give the Giants credit. They played a great game." - Aaron Rodgers