Linebacker Clay Matthews has 3 sacks as Packers defense swarms Bills in 34-7 victory

Matthews has 3 sacks, Packers beat Bills 34-7

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Clay Matthews knocked around another opposing offense, and this time the Green Bay Packers didn’t allow any comebacks.

Aaron Rodgers threw for 255 yards, with touchdowns to Donald Driver and James Jones, and scrambled for another score, while Matthews had three sacks to lead a dominant defensive performance in the Packers’ 34-7 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Linebacker Brandon Chillar and rookie safety Morgan Burnett intercepted Trent Edwards and the Packers (2-0) held the Bills to 186 yards of total offense.

Fred Jackson rushed for a touchdown, the only score of the game for Buffalo (0-2). Edwards was 11 of 18 for 102 yards.

After missing most of training camp and all four preseason games with a hamstring injury, Matthews made several critical plays to help the Packers win their opener at Philadelphia last week.

The Bills gained zero net yards in the first quarter but still managed to make it a game, going into halftime trailing 13-7. Chillar then intercepted Edwards on the first series of the second half, setting up Rodgers’ 7-yard touchdown pass to Driver for a 20-7 Packers lead.

It was a relatively quiet game for Packers running back Brandon Jackson, who rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown. Jackson became the starter this week after a season-ending ankle injury to Ryan Grant against the Eagles.

John Kuhn, a fullback serving as Jackson’s primary backup, actually outrushed Jackson, gaining 36 yards.

It didn’t matter because the Bills’ offense couldn’t move the ball.

The Bills brought in coach Chan Gailey to help revive a dormant offense, but it hasn’t happened yet. After managing only 166 yards of total offense in their season-opening loss to Miami, they weren’t much better Sunday.

Buffalo’s defense held Green Bay to field goals on its first two offensive series. Then the Packers put together an 11-play, 72-yard drive that ended with Jackson’s 1-yard touchdown run. A long pass to Jermichael Finley and Rodgers’ 12-yard scramble on third-and-10 helped set up the touchdown.

The Bills didn’t get a first down until the final play of the opening quarter. But they managed to put together a scoring drive from there, as Lee Evans drew a pass interference penalty on Charles Woodson to help set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Jackson and cut the Packers’ lead to 13-7.

With the Packers still up by six going into the third quarter, their defense got heavy pressure on Edwards on third-and-8 — and Edwards threw the ball right to Chillar, who returned it to the Bills 39-yard line.

Rodgers then showed his trademark stellar play on third down, converting a third-and-7 play with a back-shoulder throw to Greg Jennings and the touchdown to Driver on third-and-goal.

Rodgers finally found a rhythm in the passing game late in the third quarter, throwing for big gains to Jordy Nelson and Finley. Rodgers then found wide open space on the right side on a second-and-goal play, scrambling for a 9-yard touchdown. Rodgers didn’t show much of a vertical jump as he tried a “Lambeau leap” into the stands, but the Packers took a 27-7 lead.

Burnett then ripped the ball away from wide receiver Roscoe Parrish on the Bills’ next possession for an interception. Rodgers threw a 30-yard touchdown to Jones.