It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The Green Bay Packers (12-3, 3-1 NFC North) topped the Cleveland Browns (7-8, 2-2 AFC North) 24-22 at Lambeau Field Saturday during a rollercoaster Christmas Day matchup.

The Packers won the toss and deferred, so the Browns were the first to get a shot on Saturday. They got things rolling early after quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with running back Nick Chubb on a short pass and Chubb barreled through Green Bay’s defense for a 41-yard gain and a first down. Cleveland also picked up an additional 13 yards on the play after safety Darnell Savage Jr. was flagged for a low block, and the Browns were in the red zone in a blink.

From there, Mayfield connected with wide receiver Jarvis Landry for a 12-yard gain on 2^nd and 9 to keep the chains moving. After that, Chubb finished the job and rushed 1 yard for a touchdown. However, the Browns missed the extra point attempt, so they only took a 6-0 lead.

After failing to convert on their first three plays of their opening possession, the Packers took a major risk and went for it on 4^th and 1 at their own 34. The gutsy decision proved to be worth it after running back Aaron Jones rushed for 4 yards to keep the drive alive. However, the momentum was short lived after Green Bay failed to convert on their next three plays and was forced to punt it away.

The Browns next drive didn’t last long, though. On the first play of their next possession, Mayfield heaved the ball deep downfield, and Savage was there to make the interception at Green Bay’s 45-yard line.

The Packers made sure to take advantage of this Christmas gift from the Browns and wasted no time doing so. On 2^nd and 6, Rodgers connected with WR1 Davante Adams for 33 yards to quickly propel Green Bay into the red zone. From there, it was easy money for the Packers, and Rodgers found wide receiver Allen Lazard for 11 yards and a touchdown to take a 7-6 lead over the Browns. The play was one for the history books for the Packers as Rodgers threw his 443^rd career touchdown pass, breaking Brett Favre’s franchise record.

The Browns weren’t going down without a fight in this one, but Mayfield wasn’t doing them any favors. After three first down pickups from wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, Chubb and wide receiver Anthony Schwartz, Mayfield was picked off for the second time Saturday, this time by cornerback Chandon Sullivan in the red zone. Sullivan returned it to Green Bay’s 22-yard line, and Aaron Rodgers and the Packers took over.

On the first play of the drive, Rodgers immediately launched one deep to Lazard, who came through with an impressive 34-yard catch to put Green Bay at the edge of the red zone. Then, Jones rushed for 2 yards on 3^rd and 1 to keep the chains moving. From there, Lazard continued to stay involved and picked up 13 yards on 1^st and 10 to position the Packers in the red zone. Then, on 2^nd and 2, running back AJ Dillon rushed for 3 yards to bring Green Bay within the 10-yard line with a fresh set of downs. From there, Rodgers connected with Adams for a 9-yard touchdown on 3^rd and goal to take a 14-6 lead.

The touchdown marked another historic moment for Green Bay, as it was the 66^th time Rodgers and Adams have connected for a touchdown. That makes them the most productive touchdown duo in Packers’ history, surpassing Rodgers and Jordy Nelson.

Despite Green Bay’s early dominance, Cleveland continued to battle and even made things interesting on their next drive. On 1^st and 10, running back D'Ernest Johnson rushed for 17 yards and a first down. On the next play, Mayfield connected with tight end Austin Hooper for an 11-yard gain and then hit Landry for a 24-yard gain to continue moving the chains. From there, Mayfield connected with wide receiver Rashard Higgins for 14 yards and the first down. Then, on 1^st and goal, Mayfield connected with tight end Harrison Bryant for a 1-yard touchdown. Cleveland attempted a two-point conversion to tie the game but failed, so Green Bay maintained a 14-12 lead.

The Packers went three and out on their next drive and were off the field just as quickly as they came on. During the possession, Rodgers’ injured toe was stepped on twice and he clearly appeared to be in pain.

On Cleveland’s next offensive drive, they continued to gain momentum after Mayfield connected with Higgins deep over the middle for 16 yards and the first down. However, Mayfield’s struggles continued and, at the beginning of the Browns’ two-minute drill, he threw his third interception of the game after cornerback Rasul Douglas picked him off around midfield.

And, unlike their last drive, the Packers took advantage on their next possession with Rodgers and Adams leading the way. On 2^nd and 7, Rodgers connected with Adams for 10 yards and a first down. Then, on 2^nd and 1, Jones rushed for 3 yards to keep the chains moving for the Packers. From there, on 1^st and 10, Rodgers found Adams for 12. On 2^nd and 9, Rodgers found Adams one more time before then connecting with him for a 1-yard touchdown with 12 seconds remaining in the half to extend their lead to 21-12.  

To open the second half, the Packers picked up right where they left off and Jones exploded out of the backfield for a 27-yard gain. Then, on 2^nd and 4, Rodgers and Adams connected for another big gain, this time for 17 yards. From there, Rodgers found Jones on a short pass right for a 10-yard play on 2^nd and 10 to move the chains. After that, Dillon got involved and picked up 6-yards on 2^nd and 4 to keep the drive alive. However, the balanced start wasn’t enough and Green Bay had to settle for a field goal. Kicker Mason Crosby’s 32-yard attempt was good, and the Packers extended their lead to 24-12.

After a pair of strong runs from Chubb, the Browns were quickly approaching scoring position on their opening drive of the half. But, linebacker Rashan Gary came up clutch for the Packers and sacked Mayfield for an 11-yard loss on 3^rd and 5. Just like Green Bay, Cleveland was forced to settle for a field goal and their 37-yard attempt was good to cut the Packers’ lead to 24-15.

After an action-packed start to this Saturday matchup, both teams were forced to punt on their next drives. On their next possession, Green Bay continued to struggle and went three and out for the second time in a row. But, Cleveland was eager to break the mold and found success in the run game to help make that happen.  

On 1^st and 10 on their next drive, Chubb bullied his way out the backfield for a 12-yard gain to move the chains. Then, on 2^nd and 2, Mayfield connected with Chubb in the air for an 11-yard gain to keep the drive moving. From there, Mayfield started to find his sense of rhythm and connected with Higgins for 10 yards and the first down on 1^st and 10. After that, Johnson exploded for a 30-yard play to put the Browns at the 5-yard line. Then, Mayfield connected with Schwartz for a 5-yard touchdown to cut Green Bay’s lead to just 24-22.

With just over four minutes left on the clock and a mere two-point lead, the Packers desperately needed to find something on offense to put this game away. Even more so with the run defense slowly falling apart. However, after a nice first down pickup on the ground from Dillon, Adams had two uncharacteristic drops and the Packers were forced to punt with just over two minutes to play.

After dominating Green Bay on the ground, for some reason Cleveland chose to abandon the run game on what could have been a game-winning drive. The decision was deadly for the Browns and, with 50 seconds remining in the game, Douglas came up clutch again for the Packers and picked off Mayfield for his second interception on Saturday to seal the 24-22 win for Green Bay.  

What we learned: There’s still work to do

Saturday’s game was a perfect reminder that although the Packers appear to be contenders, there is still lots of work left for them to do. It isn’t anywhere close to doomsday for Green Bay, but they surely need to clean some things up before what is hopefully a long Super Bowl run.

What went right: Rodgers to Adams

Congratulations to Santa’s favorite helps, Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, for delivering a vintage performance for Packers fans this Christmas. These two are truly a real-life cheat code and now are officially the most productive touchdown duo in franchise history for Green Bay.

That honor really does all the talking.  

What went wrong: Run defense

Green Bay’s run defense is getting coal in their stockings this year because, my goodness, was that performance terrible. The Browns averaged 8.8 yards per carry (ESPN stats) and just dominated the Packers on the ground.

This and special teams are two of the Packers’ “must fix” areas before playoffs. Although, I will give special teams a break today. 😊

Offensive MVP: Davante Adams

Death, taxes, and Davante Adams clowning another team’s defense. Just one day after his 29^th birthday, Adams went off for 10 catches for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns (ESPN stats).

Defensive MVP: Rasul Douglas

Rasul Douglas is truly the gift that just keeps giving for the Packers. With 5 total tackles, all of which were solo, 2 pass deflections and 2 interceptions, including the game-sealing one (ESPN stats), Douglas was absolutely defensive MVP in week sixteen. I still can’t believe this guy was on someone’s practice squad.

Up next, the Green Bay Packers get a visit from the Minnesota Vikings. Kickoff is set for Sunday, January 2 at 8:20 p.m. EST from Lambeau Field.