GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – That was better. Even more one of a kind goofy things happened to the Green Bay Packers on a gray Lambeau Field afternoon, but enough plays were made to snap an arduous four game losing streak as the Packers beat the Los Angels Rams 20-3.
The Packer ranks were thinned to the nub in the secondary with Rudy Ford a late scratch, Quay Walker also couldn’t dress because of a late week groin pull, but the Rams were without their starting quarterback, Matthew Stafford was shelved with a sprained ligament in his right thumb. Fourth year veteran Brett Rypien couldn’t dent the young defensive backs nearly enough as the Packer defense played a spirited game keeping L.A. out of the end zone and allowing just 187 total yards. The back end came up with one interception, rookie Anthony Johnson Jr., who started for Ford, gathered in a Jaire Alexander tipped downfield throw. Carrington Valentine, starting for the traded Rasul Douglas, had a leading three of the team’s 10 pass break ups. Outside of one, 34 yard Cooper Kupp catch, the Rams couldn’t make a play bigger than 18 yards. The front seven did it’s job as well, holding LA to 68 yards rushing on 26 carries, a 2.6 average and a long run of 8, which came on a Rypien scramble. For all the turmoil among the defensive side of the ball, they rose above it to put together a solid effort, even after losing leader Kenny Clark to a shoulder injury in the first half.
As for the offense. There was progress. Like a first down on the opening series for a change. Jordan Love hit Dontayvion Wicks for 9 on third and seven but the possession died at the LA 41 when on 4th and one, Love’s Tush Push quarterback sneak moved the chains, only to have Yosh Nijman flagged for lining up offsides before the snap. It would happen a second time later in the game with Jon Runyan guilty. But complimentary football got the offense going for good. After Jonathan Owens knocked the ball loose from Rypien on a scramble, De’Vondre Campbell covered up the fumble. It took 7 plays to move 41 yards and Jones, finally recovered from a season long hamstring issue, had five of the touches including the three yard touchdown run two snaps into the second quarter for 7-0 lead. It was the first time the Packers found the end zone before halftime since the Atlanta game in week two.
The Rams finally got on the board after Kupp’s big catch but they settled for a 52 yard field goal from Lucas Havrisik, who beat out Mason Crosby in a try out two weeks ago after Brett Maher was cut.
Romeo Doubs converted a third and 17 with an 18 yard catch that was initially ruled short but on further review, put the ball at the Rams 35 in the final minute of the first half. Green Bay came up empty though when Anders Carlson was wide left from 48 yards.
The goofy stuff opened the third quarter. After making a sideline catch, Wicks tried to reach toward the sideline first down marker but without getting touched, had the ball bounce off the turf into the hands of Akhello Witherspoon who returned the odd fumble 10 yards. The Packers defense, thanks to an offensive PI penalty on rookie Puka Nacua, got a stop. Jones promtply gave LA another opportunity getting the ball knocked out his hands with Duke Shelley recovering and setting up LA at the Packer 36. Isaiah McDuffie blew in to stop Royce Freeman for a loss of three on third and 2. Harvisik then missed a 49 yard try wide right.
Love then made a couple of strong throws, hitting Wicks for 18 yards and Luke Musgrave for 25 more. But on third and two from the 4, Aaron Donald sliced through the line to drop Love for a sack back to the 8. That brought on Carlson to hit from 26 for a 10-3 lead heading to the 4th quarter.
The Rams had 4th and 2 at the Packer 47 to open the final period but another draft choice defender stepped up. Colby Wooden dropped Freeman for no gain. Even though the offense couldn’t move, the defense got the ball back for them again. Rypien tried a deep shot to Kupp but Alexander was able to tip the pass into the hands of Johnson at midfield. Tough running got the offense close but A.J. Dillon was stopped on third and one from the 16 to bring on Carlson for another short one, his 34 yard boot made it 13-3.
Yet another draft pick got into the act when Karl Brooks deflected a third down pass forcing the Rams to put with 8:26 left. Love snapped a 10 yard pass to Romeo Doubs on third and 6 and then facing third and 12, he took another deep shot for Christian Watson. A similar play in the first half was foiled when Watson got behind the coverage only to have the pass underthrown near the goal line. This time, Love got a bit more on it allowing Watson to go up and pull it down with Russ Yeast in coverage. The 37 yard gain ended Watson’s day as he was checked out for a back injury, a chest injury and possible concussion. Two plays later, the offense executed a solid play. Love faked a screen left, turned and looked over a screen to the right which allowed Musgrave to clear the middle of the field. Love found him at the 10 and the rookie tight end made Yeast miss to complete his first NFL touchdown that covered 20 yards to all but put the game out of reach.
The Packers got one more 4th down stop and backup Emmanuel Wilson finished off a big rushing day ripping off a 31 yarder before Love took a couple of knees to the gun.
Progress in many areas, still plenty of mistakes but Head Coach Matt LaFleur said after the winless month of October, we’re not going to apologize.
It was the best statistical day since the opener in Chicago. Green Bay outgained L.A. 391-187. The offense put up 184 yards on the ground, Jones leading the way with 73 on 20 carries. Love finished 20 of 26 for 228 yards with a touchdown. He was sacked four times, often holding the ball too long but his passer rating was a more pleasing 115.5 They were 7 of 14 on third down. Wicks and Jones each finished with four catches. Musgrave led with 51 yards on three receptions. Alexander led the defensive effort with 7 tackles and two pass break-ups. Owens had a strong game with 7 tackles, the only sack, another quarterback hit and the forced fumble.
Yosh Nijman got the start at left tackle for the ineffective Rasheed Walker but Nijman left with a back injury.
Keisean Nixon had his longest kickoff return of the year, a 51 yarder to open the second half, only to see the field position wasted on the Wicks fumble.
The inactive players were Ford, Waker, Brenton Cox, Jr., Caleb Jones and Samori Toure. Malik Heath got a chance for reps but that didn’t last long with an early game drop.
Matt LaFleur is now 4-0 against his good friend Sean McVay.
The 3-5 Packers next head to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers at Heinz Field next Sunday. Better, but still a long ways to go.
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