GREEN BAY, Wis. — If Super Bowl XLIX is a rematch between the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers, it surely will be a better matchup than last year’s “big game.”
The Patriots and Packers proved to be evenly matched on Sunday, and while Green Bay was able to get off to a hot start and take an early 13-0 lead, the Patriots caught up and nearly came back in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
The Packers forced a missed field goal with 2:40 left in the fourth quarter, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers was able to convert a first down with 2:28 remaining to put away the 26-21 win.
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski hopes to meet the Packers again this season.
“If we see them again, you know where it’s at, so obviously we hope to see — that would be cool,” Gronkowski said. “Not really thinking about that, they just beat us heads up right now, gotta give it to them. Now we just have to look forward, put it behind us and move on to San Diego.”
Cornerback Brandon Browner, who played well while matched up against Packers wideouts Davante Adams and Jordy Nelson, reinforced Gronk’s sentiments.
“Most definitely,” Browner said. “In another (conference), the only way we could see them is in the big one. We gotta handle next week. This game is behind us.”
Photo via Mike Roemer/Associated Press