Clay Matthews strips Eli Manning then recovers loose ball after Giants stand around watching it in huge play
Clay Matthews helped solidify the Green Bay Packers' win over the New York Giants with an incredible hustle play.
Trailing the Packers 31-13 in the fourth quarter, Eli Manning was trying to lead the Giants down the field for a quick score.
On 1st-and-10 around midfield, Clay Matthews got around the offensive line and hit Manning as he made his throw. The ball bounced down the field, as Giants rookie running back Paul Perkins looked it, presuming it was dead.
Moments later, all parties realized it was a live ball, and it was Matthews, who made the initial hit, who came flying in to recover it.
The play seemed to crush the Giants. The Packers then worked their way down the field and scored a touchdown to go up 37-13. While there was still technically enough time for a Giants comeback, turning the ball over on a critical possession seemed to seal their fate.
Aaron Rodgers may get the credit as the driving force of the Packers, but on Sunday, he got some help from his most reliable defender, Matthews.