The Packers on paper had clear advantages going into Monday night’s nationally televised game against the defending Super Bowl Champions. Aaron Rodgers is healthy while the Rams’ first and second string quarterbacks are both sidelined. The dreaded defensive Ram, Aaron Donald, was also sidelined and the Rams offensive line was patchwork. But 2022 has been anything but a sure thing for Green Bay and they were facing a former #1 draft pick who led an incredible comeback just one week ago.
Could that energy be sustained another week? With that question looming in the thoughts of Packer fans, there were very few comfortable pregame fans wearing Green and Gold in Lambeau. And it had nothing to do with the weather.
While Green Bay’s execution failed to reach perfection, each side did enough to keep the Rams at bay and secure the 12 point victory. The defense gave up a few big plays on the Rams’ first possession but settled down, forcing a punt after a big sack by Preston Smith. The offense started with a scoring drive on their first possession of the game as Crosby knocked threw a 34-yard field goal.
The offense left points on the field two times and that’s not including the kneel down to run out the clock at the goal line to end the game. Rodgers’ attempt to enter the red zone on their second drive was ended by a puzzling interception. The pick was snatched by Taylor Rapp at his own 14 yard line. The interception was doubly painful because Allen Lazard was wide open at the 20, but the ball sailed over his head. It is the type of interception Rodgers never used to make and Lazard is an experienced receiver.
The Packers still held an early 3-0 lead advantage but the Rams turned their opportunity into arguably their best drive of the game, going 9 plays and 53 yards, stalling at the Green Bay 15. With the score tied at three, the Packers came right back with an answer. Rodgers & Company bounced back from the interception, taking the ball on their next possession 74 yards in eleven plays, capping it off with an A.J. Dillon power run of 8 yards. Taylor Rapp, the Rams hero on the interception, literally was run over by Dillon and some of his offensive lineman for the score.
Dillon ended his night early when he was taken out for precautionary concussion observation, but his 36 yard and 3.3 average do not do his on field accomplishments justice. He also had three receptions on three targets for 35 yards and scored two touchdowns. The Packers went to halftime up 10-6.
The second half began with some vintage Packer offense. Two touchdown drives back to back. The first is an 11 play clinic. The second only 35 yards thanks to a great punt return by Keisean Nixon and a face mask penalty by the Rams.
The offensive pass game was a tale of two rookies. Romeo Doubs, back in action after an ankle injury, led the team with five receptions on five targets for 55 yards.
Christian Watson had four receptions on six targets for 46 yards and was clutch over the middle. He was also robbed of a legitimate pass interference in the end zone on the Packers first field goal drive. Watson was clearly held by the jersey by Ramsey, but no flag was thrown. One play Watson would like to have back cost him a touchdown when he failed to recognize a quick pass play change signal from Aaron Rodgers on their game ending drive.
Rodgers threw the pass right behind Watson at the one yard line. Rodgers gave him an earful after the play, then patted him on the helmet as Watson walked back past the huddle. Watson also threw a great block on the outside for Aaron Jones receiving touchdown, the final score for the Packers in the second half. That made the score 24-6.
The defense had five sacks, an interception by Douglass, a forced fumble by Enagbare and held the Rams to 13 first downs and 4-11 on third down conversions. After spending too much time being critical of Quay Walker this year, it was good to see him raise his level of play Monday night. Walker had a tackle for loss behind the line of scrimmage, an impressive play. He was also asked to rush the quarterback and rewarded his coaches with a sack to go along with his five solo tackles.
The Packers offense also played a very clean game. The only penalty called on the offense was a declined face mask penalty that occurred on the Aaron Jones fumble. There was one penalty on special teams and two on the defense. The defensive penalties included a long pass interference by Adrian Amos and another for excessive force for an out of bound tackle on Rudy Ford. Overall, a very clean game that helped weather two big turnovers. The special teams have seen a boost from Nixon in the return game that has now been consistent in back-to-back games.
The game was really only close because of the two lost turnovers. The interception of Rodgers and fumble by Aaron Jones lost the turnover battle and snuffed out scoring opportunities. Jones’ fumble happened at the Rams 18 yard line. Jones had the ball ripped from his hands by Rams defensive All-Pro Jalen Ramsey. It made for a crazy confused scramble on the field. It also occurred right after Rasul Douglass had picked Mayfield. Douglass apparently did not watch the highlights of the Raider-Patriot game.
Already at the Rams 22, Douglass seemed to lateral the ball, without looking, to no one in particular, setting off a chaotic chase of the bouncing ball on the field and a barrage of screams from loyal fans at Lambeau and every bar in the Dairy state. Packer fans thought they were lucky when Amos recovered it at the 34, but the luck would only hold for two plays. Then Jones fumbled it right back.
Clearly Rasul Douglass was watching film from yesterdays Patriots game.. pic.twitter.com/EQXvUovWn9
— Meninist (@MeninistTweet) December 20, 2022
The Douglass interception and lateral play was deemed a fumble by the referees, and I am sure Douglass would rather every member of the Packer coaching staff believed that was what happened. He better hide the game film. Either way, it was a crazy sequence that seemed like something you would see in a pee-wee football game.
The good news is the Packers passed their first test of late December. Their offense has two rookie wideouts who have made huge strides and the offensive line is playing without penalties.
The good news is the Packers passed their first test of late December. Their offense has two rookie wideouts who have made huge strides and the offensive line is playing without penalties.
They now must rise on Christmas morning in Miami and face the Dolphins on Christmas Day. Let’s hope Packer fans get their most important present on the 25th. Happy Holidays everyone!