The Packers tried to keep it low-key, they tried to downplay the importance of any single game, no matter the opponent.
Unlike the rest of what they did Sunday, it didn’t work.
“This was a big one,” Packers defensive back Micah Hyde said after they beat the Patriots, via Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin.com. “We kind of told you guys earlier in the week that it was just another game. We were lying. I bet you probably knew that already, but we were lying. It was a huge game. And we were fortunate enough to get that win.”
It was big for a number of reasons, including the fact it might be a team they see again this year.
At 9-3, the Packers are now tied for the best record in the NFC, and home field advantage would come in handy since they are 6-0 there this year.
But perhaps bigger was the way quarterback Aaron Rodgers outdueled some guy named Tom Brady, playing one of his best games of a brilliant season.
Rodgers completed 24-of-38 for 368 yards and two touchdowns (112.6 rating), but was still upset by the fact four red zone trips yielded field goals.
“It was a good win for us,” Rodgers said. “We had some struggles in the red zone, kicked some field goals, but the defense came up big when we needed it and we just had enough offense there to win.
“Yeah, we’re happy about the win, obviously an excited locker room. But we have some big goals and we’re getting into December football now with the chance to have everything right in front of us. We’re going to celebrate this win tonight and move on.”
It was worth celebrating, because it positions them so well for the football that happens after December.
