Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes, the Green Bay defense scored on a 6-pick and the Packers (9-3) defeated the Los Angeles Rams (7-4) 36-28, who lost their third game in a row and are far from the level expected of a team that, on paper, was a Super Bowl contender.
The Rams were supposed to be on a mission to exact revenge, after being eliminated by Green Bay in the Divisional Round from last seasonBut the Packers took advantage of all the Angelenos’ mistakes and turned them into 17 points.
Rodgers, who last week went viral by showing his fractured toe at a virtual press conference, completed 28 of 45 for 307 yards, with two touchdown passes, no interceptions and a 97.2 rating.
Matthew Stafford could not boast such a solid afternoon. The new Rams quarterback finished with 21 of 38, 302 yards, three touchdowns and an interception that cost coach Sean McVay’s team points.
It’s the third game in a row that Stafford has suffered a pick-6, all losses to the Rams.
In fact, the visitors delivered three balls, which Green Bay converted into 17 points.
Packers hit twice
The first 10 points of the game came thanks to two big plays from the Green Bay defense.
First was Rashan Gary, who forced a fumble from Stafford, recovered by Preston Smith at the 12 Los Angeles yard. Three plays later, Rodgers scored on a one-yard dash on a read-option play, in which he only had to beat Jalen Ramsey to cross the diagonals.
Then a tackle in the backfield of Adrian Amos upon Darrell Henderson On fourth down and one yard to go, he again gave Rodgers an operating shortstop. But this time the Rams defense only allowed a 45-yard field goal from Mason Crosby for 10-0.
On the next offensive drive, Stafford hit a 79-yard drive with from Jeffersonfor quick response from visitors. The defender went down and the Rams wide receiver went the final 36 yards untouched until the end zone.
Then the special teams error.
Randall Cobb could not control a punt and the ball fell into the hands of Robert Rochell at the Green Bay yard 25. A field goal from Matt Gay 36-yard hitter approached the Rams, 13-10.
Cobb pulled his thorn out when he caught a 7-yard Rodgers pass in the end zone and the Packers increased the lead to 20-10. Before the touchdown, Rodgers and Adams combined on a 43-yard play down the left side, to 11 for the visitors.
With 1:28 to go in the first half, Stafford connected with Henderson on a 6-yard play to cap off an eight-play, 75-yard drive. Rams 17, Packers 20.
The errors and the lace
With no Cobb (groin) available for the second half, Rodgers and the Packers began recharging more in the running game.
A long 13-play, 75-yard offensive drive at 7:42, culminated when Rodgers hit a five-yard pass to the running back. A.J. Dillon for 27-17, in the middle of the third quarter.
Then another special teams mistake.
JJ Koski, Rams wide receiver, fumbled on a kicking return and the fumble was recovered by Cross Barnes at the Los Angeles 27 yard.
The error cost the visitors another three points, courtesy of Crosby and a 29-yard kick.
Rasul Douglas put the game in the freezer at Lambeau Field with a 33-yard pick-6 for 36-17 at 1:52 left in the third period.
Stafford y Odell Beckham Jr. they combined on a 54-yard play to bring the Rams closer, 25-36.
It was Beckham’s first touchdown in the Los Angeles uniform, with which he debuted a couple of weeks ago against San Francisco, after being cut by the Cleveland Browns. It was also his first touchdown since Week 4 of the 2020 campaign.
Davante Adams it was Rodgers’ best goal and he finished with 8 receptions and 104 yards. Cobb caught four passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.
The Packers have won seven of the most recent eight in this rivalry, including the Divisional game in January, also at Lambeau Field.
In Week 13, Green Bay has a bye, then faces the Chicago Bears at home on December 12.
The Rams will host the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday at SoFi Stadium, home of Super Bowl LVI.
