WATCH: Aaron Rodgers stars as Packers pull away from the Giants

Ron Clements

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WATCH: Aaron Rodgers stars as Packers pull away from the Giants image

Aaron Rodgers starred as the Green Bay Packers overcame a slow start to pull away for a 38-13 win over the New York Giants in the NFL on Sunday.

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The Packers had just seven yards of total offense through their first four possessions as the Giants dominated much of the first half.

But Rodgers connected with Davante Adams for a five-yard touchdown late in the first half to give the Packers a 7-6 lead.

Then came the dagger.

 

HAIL RODGERS 

Rodgers has become the master of the Hail Mary pass and his 42-yard heave to the end zone landed in the arms of Randall Cobb to give the Packers a 14-6 half-time lead. 

Rodgers completed a pair of Hail Mary passes last season, a 61-yard touchdown pass to tight end Richard Rodgers to beat the Detroit Lions on December 3, 2015. He did it again in the playoffs, forcing overtime against the Arizona Cardinals with a 41-yard Hail Mary pass to Jeff Janis as time expired in regulation.

Rodgers' pass to Cobb exacted a bit of revenge because it was Eli Manning tossing a similar touchdown before half-time to help the Giants beat the Packers in a 2011 playoff game at Lambeau Field.

 

MVP

Rodgers is in the conversation for league MVP and showed why Sunday, with all of Green Bay's points coming after leading receiver Jordy Nelson left with a rib injury early in the second quarter. After carrying his team for most of the season to an NFC North championship, Rodgers has now led the Packers to seven straight wins heading into next Sunday's NFC divisional playoff game at the Dallas Cowboys.

Rodgers finished 25 of 40 for 362 yards and four touchdown passes as the Packers' offensive line consistently gave him plenty of time to throw following four early sacks. After that slow start, the Packers offense got on track and finished with 406 yards.

Nelson had just one catch for 13 yards, but Cobb, who hauled in five passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns, and Adams - eight receptions for 125 yards - picked up the slack. 

 

INJURY CONCERNS

Moving forward, the Packers have plenty of injury concerns. Leading receiver Nelson was lost in the first half with a rib injury and did not return. The Packers also lost Ty Montgomery, the converted receiver who is now Green Bay's top running back, with a right knee injury early in the fourth quarter. The Packers also lost starting linebacker Blake Martinez with a knee injury in the first half.

The Packers may have thrashed the team that beat the top-seeded Cowboys (13-3) twice this season, but they will need all of their weapons going into Dallas. Led by Rookie of the Year and MVP candidates Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys rolled to a 30-16 win over the Packers at Lambeau Field on October 16. 

The Packers have played just twice at AT&T Stadium, winning both times.

Ron Clements