After a string of boring playoff blowouts this season, all won by home teams, Green Bay bucked the trend in a thrilling game in which the Packers raced to a 21-3 lead only to slowly let Dallas back into the game. The Cowboys tied it up at 28-28 before the teams traded long field goals, with Crosby’s 56- and 51-yard makes beating out the 52-yarder from Dan Bailey that nearly resulted in overtime.

There were offensive fireworks on both sides, as Rodgers threw for 356 yards and 2 touchdowns while Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ Cinderella story at quarterback, threw for 302 yards and 3 touchdowns. While Rodgers walked away with the win, Prescott showed exactly why the team confidently kept him as the team’s starter even after longtime starter Tony Romo was declared healthy.

In the end, however, Rodgers had just enough to overcome Dallas’ furious comeback. He rattled the Cowboys’ defense all game, catching them moving too slowly on substitutions, taking advantage of penalties, and deftly avoiding the rush to set up passing plays. And on the final drive, when his team needed him most, he found Cook downfield for a shocking 35-yard gain that set up Crosby’s game-winner. Cook just barely got his feet down before going out of bounds, with the play requiring a review after officials disagreed about whether or not he made the catch.

Rodgers was all smiles in an on-field interview after the game, saying the game was fun. But when asked about what he was thinking as his long pass to Cook was reeled in, he gave all the credit to Cook.

“It was a great catch by Jared,” Rodgers said, adding “It’s just kind of schoolyard at times late in the game like that.”

Rodgers was forced to play the entire game without his top wide receiver, Jordy Nelson, but he was able to succeed thanks to strong games from Cook, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb. Ty Montgomery, the wide receiver-turned-running back, chipped in with 11 carries for 47 yards and 2 touchdowns, while also catching 6 passes for 34 yards.