George Willis

George Willis

NFL

Packers’ Smith duo did just enough to conquer Russell Wilson

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers linebackers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith knew dealing with Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was going to be an exhausting exercise in Sunday’s NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field. But it proved even more exhausting than either expected.

“It was like chasing a chicken in a field with no fence,” said Preston Smith, adding, “That quarterback is a great quarterback. He knows how to scramble. It definitely was a cardio and endurance test tonight. We answered the test, and we passed it.”

Barely. It was Preston Smith, who sacked Wilson on a critical third down with 3:22 left in the game. It forced the Seahawks, who had scored touchdowns on their three previous possessions, to punt.

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense took care of the rest, running out the clock to secure a 28-23 victory that sends the Packers to the NFC Championship game next Sunday against the 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif.

The exhale you heard coming from Lambeau Field came from a nervous crowd that saw Wilson duck and dodge Packers defenders throughout the game, looking like a one-man show at times as he kept Seattle in the game. Wilson would pass for 277 yards and one touchdown and was the Seahawks leading rusher with 64 yards on seven carries, mostly desperation scrambles.

He had rallied the Seahawks from a 21-3 deficit at halftime by leading his team to scoring drives of 69, 84 and 79 yards to cut the Green Bay lead to five points after Marshawn Lynch scored from 1-yard out with 9 minutes 33 seconds remaining. The Seahawks tried a two-point attempt but failed.

Packers' defenders Preston Smith; Za'Darius Smith
Packers’ defenders Preston Smith; Za’Darius SmithGetty (2)

When the Packers punted on their next possession, it felt like Wilson was ready to lead a game-winning drive, especially after Tyler Lockett caught a Wilson pass for 14 yards to start the drive. But Seattle faced a third-and-5 at their 42. This time when Wilson dropped back to pass, he didn’t escape as Preston Smith brought him down for the Packers fifth sack of the game.

“On the sideline he kept saying, ‘I need to make a play. I need to make a play,’ ” Za’Darius Smith said. “It came down to the last play and it was a big play for the team.”

Preston Smith said he felt “electrified” after making the stop after the Seahawks had owned the Packers defense in the second half.

“I got to him and got him down,” he said. “It was a big play for our defense in that moment. It helped us get off the field and gave the ball back to our offense so they could move the ball down the field and get us in a winning situation.”

That’s exactly what happened. Rodgers converted two third-down situations to run out the final 2:32. On third-and-8 from the Packers 22, Rodgers threw a perfect pass to wide receiver Davante Adams for a 32-yard gain and more importantly a first down.

Then on third-and-9 after the two-minute warning, Rodgers found tight end Jimmy Graham over the middle and fired a perfect strike. After a review of the spot, the Packers were awarded a first down that ensured they would run out the rest of the clock.

The Packers were impressed with Wilson.

“He’s a guy that scrambles and moves around the pocket. He had a couple of those,” said Za’Darius Smith, who like Preston, was a free-agent signee and had two sacks in the game. “But we kept our cool and went on to the next play and came out with the victory.”

Now the Packers, who played their first playoff game in three years, face the 49ers for a trip to the Super Bowl.

“When we first signed here, I said we had the opportunity to do something great around here,” Za’Darius said. “To have a legendary quarterback like [Rodgers] and with the players we have, it’s good to see the whole offense and defense is coming together.”

Exhausting and exhilarating.