Green Bay Packers: Top Plays of Week 2 Against the Carolina Panthers

J FSep 20, 2011

The Super Bowl champions took the field on Sunday expecting to grab their second win of the season without too much trouble. However, Carolina and their rookie quarterback, Cam Newton, made sure the victory was anything but easy.

The Packers needed several big plays to put the Panthers away for good late in the game, and they were able to deny the home team an incredible upset.

Here are a few crucial plays that made the difference in the seemingly lopsided Week 2 matchup.

3. Rodgers TD Pass to Jennings

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Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' offense had an off day, but the elite QB still threw for over 300 yards and two scores.

After falling behind 13-0 in the second quarter, the Pack finally got on the board with this 49-yard touchdown strike to Greg Jennings.

The dynamic duo didn't seem to be in sync all game long, but they certainly were on this big play that began a streak of 23 unanswered points for the Packers.

2. Woodson's Picks and Fumble Recovery

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Cornerback Charles Woodson was Green Bay's MVP in Carolina as he played a crucial part in three of the Panthers' four turnovers.

Woodson picked off Cam Newton twice and also recovered a fortunate fumble by Steve Smith, exemplifying why he won the Defensive Player of the Year award just two seasons ago.

1. Rodgers TD Pass to Nelson

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Usually the Packers would run in this situation. They held a 23-16 lead with about two minutes left to play, and it was only first down.

Whether Mike McCarthy called the play-action pass or Rodgers switched the play at the line of scrimmage, it doesn't matter. Rodgers nailed Jordy Nelson just past the first-down marker and he ran the rest of the 84 yards to give the Pack a comfortable advantage.

If this play hadn't had gone the distance, there may have been overtime and who knows how the game would have finished.