GREEN BAY — Three quick post-game takeaways from the Green Bay Packers' 26-21 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Lambeau Field Sunday, which sent the Packers to Seattle for next week's NFC Championship Game.:

Comeback kids: Playing through a painful strained left calf, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers struggled early, after running back Eddie Lacy did much of the work (seven carries, 45 yards) on Green Bay's opening touchdown drive. At the half, Rodgers had completed just 9 of 15 passes for 90 yards. But he — and the Packers' offense — came to life in the second half, and with some major help from rookie wide receiver Davante Adams, Rodgers engineered one of those fourth-quarter comebacks he's often criticized for not doing often enough. Rodgers threw a 46-yard TD to Adams to pull the Packers within 21-20, then capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive with a 13-yard laser to rookie tight end Richard Rodgers that won the game. The Packers quarterback finished the day having completed 24 of 35 passes for 317 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 125.5.

Davante comes alive: In the final four weeks of the regular season, Adams caught only four passes for 29 yards — and he was shut out in the Dec. 28 regular-season finale against Detroit. He said during the bye week that it was his job to stay ready if the opportunity to contribute presented itself. That opportunity came Sunday. Not only did Adams deliver the 46-yard TD, but his 30-yard catch and run — made with Cowboys cornerback Sterling Moore trying to wrest the ball away from him for an interception — on third-and-3 in the closing minutes helped the Packers run much of the clock after a controversial fourth-down reversal of a Dez Bryant catch at the goal line gave Green Bay the ball. Adams finished with seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. His previous best game had been Nov. 30 against New England, when he caught six passes for 121 yards in a win over the Patriots.

Reversal of fortune: With the Packers clinging to a 26-21 lead and the Cowboys facing fourth-and-1 with 4:06 left in the game, the Cowboys went for it all, and at first, they got it. Bryant made an acrobatic, jaw-dropping catch over Packers cornerback Sam Shields at the Packers' 1-yard line. Presumably, the Cowboys would have scored on one of their ensuing plays. But Packers coach Mike McCarthy, who hadn't won a replay challenge all season, challenged that Bryant maintained control of the ball, and the replay official — and, likely, the NFL replay office in New York — agreed. "After review, it has been determined that the receiver did not maintain possession of the ball," referee Gene Steratore said. And that, essentially, was the ballgame.

Jason Wilde  wrote:

I've been very critical of Adams, and I still feel he's demonstrated some communication issues, especially with backshoulders this year.

That said, clearly the guy has talent and was an absolute man today. Credit where credit is due!

Originally Posted by: musccy 

He's going to be a very good player. Likely won't be great, but he will be better than James Jones. He's close already. His lack of speed will prevent him from being great, imo. But he should develop into a great route runner with great hands that plays strong. Good blockers, too. Adams will catch many more touchdown passes in his future!

Originally Posted by: DoddPower 

He's going to be a very good player. Likely won't be great, but he will be better than James Jones. He's close already. His lack of speed will prevent him from being great, imo. But he should develop into a great route runner with great hands that plays strong. Good blockers, too. Adams will catch many more touchdown passes in his future!

Originally Posted by: DoddPower 

It was great to see Adams have a monumental performance after the Buffalo and Tampa game.

I also was so glad to see Rodgers take the open dumpoff in the second half on many plays rather than look for the deep pass. I don't know if it because of the ankle or that he is getting better vision but, keep it up!

Finally, what an amazing challenge by MM. The rule on possession while coming to the ground should be changed but you need to know the rules you have and not the ones you want.

Originally Posted by: dyeah_gb 

Adams has a lack of speed?

Sure you're not thinking of Boykin?

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

Why should it be changed?

If you trap the ball on the ground, that's not a catch.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann