Packers engineer momentous second half rally in Dallas

fpadmin | 12/16/2013

Packers vs Steelers: December 22

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Flynn leads Packers to 37-36 victory over Cowboys in improbable tale of two halves
By CHRIS HAVEL
Texans like to brag about how everything’s bigger down there. Today, I couldn’t agree more, because the Green Bay Packers’ 37-36 victory over the Cowboys on Sunday could not have been bigger. The Packers (7-6-1) are within a half-game of the first-place Lions for the NFC North title, with Detroit (7-6) hosting Baltimore (7-6) tonight on Monday Night Football.
Matt Flynn threw four second-half touchdown passes and Eddie Lacy slammed into the end zone from 1 yard out with 1:31 to play to cap an improbable second-half rally. Green Bay trailed 26-3 at halftime before Flynn and a salty defense helped the Packers tie for the biggest comeback in franchise history.
I will say this for Flynn: When he has a big game he doesn’t mess around. Much like the backup quarterback’s six-touchdown pass game of his life against Detroit, Flynn’s monster second half Sunday breathed life into the Packers’ season.
If Green Bay wins out, and Detroit loses one of its final three games (the Lions play the Ravens tonight, the Giants at home next week and the Vikings on the road to finish), the Packers will capture the NFC North and host an NFC wild-card playoff game.
The Packers’ victory Sunday was almost surreal. After a dismal first half in which almost everything went wrong, head coach Mike McCarthy’s team got it together after intermission. Dallas never knew what hit it.
Tony Romo threw two interceptions in the final three minutes, the first a phenomenal steal by Sam Shields to set up the game winning TD drive and the second Tramon Williams’ game-clincher, to seal the Cowboys’ fate. When Dallas owner Jerry Jones mandated that the Cowboys and Romo play better in December this isn’t what he had in mind.
“This is one of the hardest losses that I’ve experienced,” Jones said. “That’s a shame that we’ve lost that ballgame.”
A crying shame, in fact, except it was the Packers’ tears of joy.
“It took me everything not to cry,” McCarthy told reporters after the game. “I’m just drained … just the sheer emotion. It was incredible.”
For Flynn, who finished 26 of 39 for 299 yards, four touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 113.1, it seemed like a dream.
“What a feeling!” Flynn said. “As we were taking a knee, we were thinking, ‘Is this real? Is this happening?’ ”
Tramon Williams was pleased but not surprised. He kept the faith because he believes in his teammates.
“Most guys would pack it in – ‘Guys, it’s not our season. Let’s go home and get ready for next year,’ ” Williams said. “It’s not that vibe here.”
Williams’ clutch interception iced the game for the Packers. He had an earlier pick wiped out by replay.
It was a measure of redemption for a Packers’ defense that has been much-maligned during Green Bay’s five-game winless streak without star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. But after blanking Atlanta in the second half of last week’s 22-21 victory, the defense held Romo and the Cowboys to just 10 second-half points.
Packers’ placekicker Mason Crosby drilled a 57-yard field goal, which ties for the longest in team history, and it provided the winning margin.
Lacy, the brutish rookie running back, rushed for 141 yards on 21 carries, including a 60-yard burst that set up one of Green Bay’s five second-half scores. Jarrett Boykin (six catches for 83 yards) and Andrew Quarless (six catches for 66 yards and a touchdown) combined for 12 receptions in as many targets. Jordy Nelson had five catches for 61 yards and a touchdown, and James Jones added three for 49 and a score.
The Packers now await word on Rodgers’ health and potential medical clearance to play this week against the Steelers. After the game, Flynn sounded as if he anticipates Rodgers’ return this week.
The Packers’ epic rally sent the Cowboys (7-7) into scramble mode, although the Vikings did them a favor by upsetting Philadelphia.
Meantime, the Packers will host Pittsburgh Sunday in a game that surely will feature a playoff-type atmosphere. That will be especially true if the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens play like it tonight at Detroit.

Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.

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Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
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-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada

"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help. As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game, particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "

-Kayle

"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time. One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA. "

-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida

"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"

-Matt

"Hi Amy- Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future! Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol! Go pack go!!"

-Julie Mastrianni

"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service. My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it. We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip. Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."

-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN

"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."

-Frank Chavez, Sacramento

"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."

-Beverley Moore, Lancaster

"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"

-David Anastas, Worchester

"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."

-Dick Koerner, Neenah

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-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario

"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."

-Sam Jones, Sedalia

"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."

-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor

"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."

-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly