Published : Dec. 12, 2011 - 20:13
GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (AP) ― Winning every week is one thing. On Sunday, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers made a legitimate playoff contender look like a team that was ready to pack its bags.
Rodgers threw for 281 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in less than three full quarters’ worth of work, Ryan Grant had two touchdowns rushing and Charles Woodson picked off a pass against his former team as the Packers trounced the Oakland Raiders 46-16.
The Packers ran their record to 13-0 ― leaving them only three games short of completing a perfect regular season. And they did it with a near-perfect performance.
Carson Palmer threw for 245 yards with a touchdown and four interceptions for the Raiders (7-6), who looked like anything but legitimate contenders in the AFC West.
With little actual drama in the game, the biggest concern for the Packers was an apparent left knee injury to wide receiver Greg Jennings in the third quarter. Green Bay defensive lineman Ryan Pickett also walked to the locker room after sustaining a head injury in the third quarter.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson celebrates his touchdown with fans in the second quarter. (UPI-Yonhap News)
Rodgers got an early rest in the blowout, as backup Matt Flynn took over late in the third.
Oakland was playing without injured running back Darren McFadden, along with wide receivers Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore. And the Raiders made plenty of mistakes to help an opponent that doesn’t really need it. Palmer threw an interception on the Raiders’ first possession, and Oakland committed eight penalties in the first half alone.
And while the Packers’ play has been far from perfect for most of the season, especially on defense, this one was total domination.
Green Bay had four touchdowns and a field goal on its first five possessions. Things got out of hand so quickly that the Raiders tried a fake punt midway through the second quarter. As was the case for most things the Raiders attempted Sunday, it didn’t work.
Patriots 34, Redskins 27
Saints 22, Titans 17
Eagles 26, Dolphins 10
Falcons 31, Panthers 23
Jaguars 41, Bucs 14
Lions 34, Vikings 28
Jets 37, Chiefs 10
Ravens 24, Colts 10
Broncos 13, Bears 10
Cardinals 21, 49ers 19
Chargers 37, Bills 10
Giants 37, Cowboys 34