* Packers contain Vick and hold off late Eagles rally
* Rodgers throws three touchdown passes in victory
(Adds details and byline)
By Larry Fine
PHILADELPHIA, Jan 9 (Reuters) – The Green Bay Packers beat
the Philadelphia Eagles 21-16 on Sunday in the final clash of
‘Wildcard Weekend’ to completE the NFL playoff picture for the
second round.
The Packers advance to the divisional round against NFC top
seed Atlanta Falcons next week, with the Seattle Seahawks going
to Chicago to play the second-seeded Bears. In the AFC, top
seed New England host the New York Jets and the Baltimore
Ravens visit second seed Pittsburgh Steelers.
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers(notes) threw three touchdown
passes in the win, but the NFL’s fifth-ranked defense had to
withstand a furious Eagles comeback effort.
The Packers led 14-3 at the half and 21-10 late in the
fourth quarter before Eagles quarterback Michael Vick(notes) dove in
from the one-yard line to cut the lead 21-16 with four minutes
to play.
The Eagles’ two-point conversion try that would have put
them within a field goal failed.
Philadelphia held the Packers and got the ball back on
their own 34 yard line with 1:45 left for one last push
although they were out of timeouts.
Vick took the Eagles down to the Green Bay 27 but
cornerback Tramon Williams(notes) intercepted a pass intended for
receiver Riley Cooper(notes) in the end zone to seal the win.
(Reporting by Larry Fine, Editing by Frank Pingue; To query or
comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
(larry.fine@thomsonreuters.com; +1 646-729-6291. Reuters
Messaging: larry.fine.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net; For the
new sports blog Left Field go to:
http://blogs.reuters.com/sport/))
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