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After a difficult start, Aaron Rodgers eventually blew the Giants away. Matt Ludtke/AP/Press Association Images

Green Bay send the Giants packing with quarterbacking masterclass

Aaron Rodgers was unplayable last night.

AARON RODGERS MATCHED a Green Bay playoff record with four touchdown passes on Sunday as the Packers stretched their NFL winning streak to seven games by ripping the New York Giants 38-13 as Rodgers threw for 362 yards and four TDs.

Also matching a one-game Packers mark was Randall Cobb, who hauled in three touchdown throws, including a spectacular “Hail Mary” desperation toss to end the first half.

We hit a ‘Hail Mary‘ — that got us going,” Rodgers said. “We got going really well. We’re better with 18 (Cobb) on the field and he showed it tonight.”

Green Bay booked a second-round matchup next Sunday at Dallas. The Packers lost at home to the Cowboys 30-16 last October.

“Can’t wait,” Rodgers said

New York’s Robbie Gould kicked field goals of 26 and 40 yards to give the Giants a 6-0 lead, but dropped passes thwarted the Giants’ touchdown bids.

The Packers, who lost top receiver Jordy Nelson to a rib injury early in the game, answered 2:20 before halftime when a scrambling Rodgers, behind solid blocking, eluded onrushing defenders before finding Davante Adams on a five-yard touchdown pass, with the conversion kick putting Green Bay ahead.

Rodgers saved his greatest magic for the final play of the first half, hurling a long throw that Cobb grabbed in the back of the end zone for a 14-6 Packers halftime lead.

Cobb had raced downfield and worked his way behind six leaping New York defenders to find himself in perfect position for the catch to complete the stunning play.

The Giants responded in the third quarter, the defense stopping Green Bay on downs to take possession and set up Eli Manning’s 41-yard touchdown pass to Tavarres King, pulling New York within 14-13.

Green Bay answered just five plays later, with Rodgers throwing a 30-yard touchdown to Cobb to extend the lead and Mason Crosby added a field goal for a 24-13 Packers lead entering the fourth quarter.

Rodgers threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Cobb and Aaron Ripkowski scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to stretch the final margin.

(C) AFP 2017

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