Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers threw a go-ahead touchdown to Jordy Nelson in the fourth quarter and the Packers shook off last week's collapse at Indianapolis to beat the previously undefeated Houston Texans 30-23 on "Sunday Night Football."
Rodgers played well against the Texans' formidable defense and threw for 329 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions for the Packers. He also rushed for 24 yards.
The Packers defense gave up a lot of yards between the endzone, but tightened up around the goal line and forced three second-half field goals by Houston kicker Shayne Graham.
Houston's quarterback Matt Schaub was 19 of 26 for 229 yards and a touchdown to Andre Johnson. Arian Foster ran for 142 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, Ben Tate added 54 yards on nine carries. A large chunk of Foster yards came on a 53-yard scuttle down the sidelines for a Houston touch down in the first half.
The Texans took a 14-10 lead into the locker room at half time, but failed to score a second-half touchdown. Foster opened up the third quarter three straight carries totaling 42 yards on a 60-yard drive that ended in the first Shayne Graham field goal giving the Texans a 17-10 lead.
The Packers took their first possession of the third quarter and went on an efficient 9-play, 55-yard drive that was capped by a 30-yard field goal to cut the lead and make it a 17-13 game.
The Texans took the ball down the field again but were stopped three times from the at the goal line and had to settle for another Graham field goal that was the equivalent of an extra point to make the game 20-13 with 14 minutes remaining in the game.
Four plays later, the Packers tied it with a 37-yard TD catch by Randall Cobb.
Rodgers zipped a pretty pass to James Jones on first down for a 17-yard gain on the scoring drive. Alex Green took the next play for a 12-yard rush up the middle and then Rodgers threw the ball down the field to Cobb, who caught the ball falling in to the end zone. The score tied the game at 20 a piece with 10:07 left in the final quarter.
The two teams exchanged field goal during the next seven minutes. The Texans had the ball and were driving when Schaub's pass was tipped into the air and intercepted by Packer safety Charles Woodson. The turnover set up the Packers game-winning touchdown, a five yard touchdown run by Green.
Do you think Madden NFL '13 got tonight's game right? So far the record of the simulations are 7-7. Read about the inclusion of real referees in Madden NFL '14 here. Check out our simulation of game one of the NLCS and the ALCS. Comment below.
Here is a list of Madden NFL 13's simulations for prime time games so far this season...
Week 1
Cowboys Vs. Giants
Week 2
Packers Vs. Bears
49ers Vs. Lions
Broncos Vs. Falcons
Week 3
Giants Vs. Panthers
Patriots Vs. Ravens
Packers Vs. Seahawks
Week 4
Browns Vs. Ravens
Giants Vs. Eagles
Bears Vs. Cowboys
Week 5
Cardinal Vs. Rams
Chargers Vs. Saints
Texans Vs. Jets
Week 6
Steelers Vs. Titans
Packers Vs. Texans
