GREEN BAY – It's time for another round of Peak Performances, packers.com's review of the previous season that highlights some of the top individual efforts during the course of the year.
The series is being presented chronologically, with each segment covering a portion of the season.
Peak Performances will appear once per week until the entire season has been covered, with a poll (at the bottom of the page) allowing fans to vote for their favorite each week. The weekly winners will then be in the final poll for Peak Performance of the Year.
Selections were made in an attempt to highlight a variety of different victories and individual players throughout the season.
This final portion of the regular season made for the toughest choices, with several other top performances not mentioned here.
Games 13-16
Defensive backs vs. Seattle
It's impossible to pick one star from the secondary when the unit intercepts Seahawks QB Russell Wilson five times. S Morgan Burnett stepped in front of TE Jimmy Graham for the first one of the day, setting up a touchdown. CB Damarious Randall made the most athletic play, ranging deep to pick off a pass for WR Doug Baldwin in the end zone late in the first half, one of two picks for Randall in the game. CB Quinten Rollins took points away from Seattle by snagging a deflected pass in the end zone.
RB Ty Montgomery at Chicago
The second-year pro earned his stripes at his new position, rushing 16 times for 162 yards and two TDs in what became a last-second, 30-27 win. Montgomery's 61-yard run in the second quarter was the Packers' longest of the season, and it was one of three carries for 25-plus yards as he broke tackles time and time again. His rushing total was the most by a Packers RB in the regular season in 11 years.
QB Aaron Rodgers vs. Minnesota
Of all of Rodgers' stellar games down the stretch in the regular season, this was probably his best. He completed 28-of-38 for 347 yards and four TDs for a 136.6 passer rating, and he added a rushing TD on a nifty scramble to boot. His fourth TD pass put the Packers ahead by 25 points before the Vikings rallied late to make the final 38-25.
WR Jordy Nelson vs. Minnesota
Nelson looked like his old self and then some in this game, catching nine of 11 targeted passes for 154 yards and two scores. His first catch was a 21-yard TD in the first quarter on third down, and on the Packers' next offensive snap, he had a 48-yard grab to set up another score. He also took care of a short TD drive almost by himself. After a Green Bay fumble recovery at the Minnesota 42-yard line, Nelson hauled in a 33-yard pass and, moments later, caught a 2-yard TD.
WR Geronimo Allison at Detroit
The best way to include the NFC North-clinching 31-24 win at Ford Field is to highlight the play of the undrafted rookie Allison. Filling in for an injured Randall Cobb, Allison led the offense with 91 receiving yards on four catches. His 9-yard TD catch was one of the most memorable plays of the season, as Rodgers scrambled not once but twice to his left and eventually fired to a diving Allison in the back of the end zone.
