Aaron Rodgers keeps Packers undefeated with last-minute drive

Aaron Rodgers’ uniform number says it best — 12.

And zero.

The Green Bay Packers quarterback stared down fellow gunslinger Eli Manning of the New York Giants on Sunday, directing a 55-second, four-completion series of 68 yards to set up kicker Mason Crosby for a game-winning 30-yard field goal as time expired.

Green Bay 38, New York 35.

Rodgers threw for 369 yards and four touchdowns to push the Packers to an automatic playoff berth and their 18th consecutive victory dating to last season. Only six other franchises have accomplished that.

“I’m running out of things to say about him,” Coach Mike McCarthy said of Rodgers. “Great quarterback. He hung in there … produced in the clutch. It’s an accountable, resilient group.”

And now, a perfect season is at hand.

Nothing as stressful as venturing to a sold-out MetLife Stadium with a crowd of 80,634 on a frigid December night remains on the schedule. As Rodgers proved again Sunday, he’s well-equipped to handle the toughest of moments.

The Packers have one road game left, at Kansas City (5-7) in two weeks. They play host to Oakland next week and close the season at home against Chicago and Detroit.

“I’m not talking 16-0,” Rodgers said, the Packers clinching the NFC North when Detroit fell to New Orleans on Sunday night. “That drive was an example of us trusting the things we do in practice and executing them.”

McCarthy might be itching to top last year’s Super Bowl with a perfect season, but he wouldn’t commit.

“I understand the importance of 16-0, but after 38-35, you understand the task at hand too,” McCarthy said. “Every week’s a challenge.

“You’ll have to ask me [about 16-0] when we get home-field advantage through the playoffs. Then, I’ll be locked and loaded to talk about it.”

Rodgers’ game-deciding drive came after Manning was five for six on his final series, which covered 69 yards in nine plays in 2 minutes 36 seconds to tie the score. Manning (347 yards, three touchdowns) connected with Hakeem Nicks on a two-yard touchdown pass with 58 seconds left, followed by running back D.J. Ware’s tying two-point conversion run.

“No one’s played us this tough,” Rodgers said of the Giants (6-6), who lost their fourth game in a row and trail first-place Dallas by one game in the NFC East. “I knew we had enough time and a timeout.”

The crowd roared for the Giants to ruin another perfect season, having done so in 1998 against the 13-0 Denver Broncos and in the 2008 Super Bowl against the 18-0 New England Patriots.

Rodgers opened with a 24-yard pass to tight end Jermichael Finley, threw a 27-yard pass to a spinning Jordy Nelson over a defender’s shoulder and dumped off to Greg Jennings for 18 yards before the final timeout was called and the deciding field goal was kicked.

“He’s a great quarterback, but I expect more out of us on defense,” defensive end Dave Tollefson said. “You know, it’s not like Jesus in cleats. He’s Aaron Rodgers. He’s a great quarterback, but we have to do a better job of finishing on defense.”

lance.pugmire@latimes.com

twitter.com/latimespugmire