Quick takes from Packers’ 32-18 win over Rams in divisional round
The Green Bay Packers raced past the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round at Lambeau Field on Saturday, using almost 500 total yards on offense to beat the top-ranked defense.
Here are some quick takes from the Packers’ 32-18 win:
– The matchup between the top offense and top defense was nothing short of a one-sided obliteration authored by Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur. What a performance.
– The game ball goes to the offensive line. The Packers dominated the Rams’ front all night. The confidence in the offensive line was obvious right off the bat. Rodgers was hardly touched, the Packers rushed for nearly 200 yards, and Aaron Donald wasn’t a factor.
– The Packers’ plan on offense wasn’t complicated: Inside run game, move Davante Adams around, and hit plays off play-action. They executed beautifully.
– The game played out like so many Packers games this season. The offense started fast, the whole team hit a brief lull, and then the offense and defense combine to dominate the late stages of the game and create a comfortable win.
– The defense allowed just 18 points and fewer than 250 total yards. The Rams got some things going on the ground and Jared Goff played far better than expected, but the Packers were great on third down and tallied four sacks. It was a winning performance.
– Kenny Clark was due for a big night. He delivered one. So did Rashan Gary, who had 1.5 sacks, including one on third down against Andrew Whitworth, who never gives up sacks. Clark, Gary and Za’Darius Smith had all four of the Packers’ sacks.
– It was clear the crowd at Lambeau Field played a factor. Even on the television copy, the fans made noise and created energy.
– The Packers were once again dominant situationally on offense. They converted eight third downs and scored touchdowns on three of four trips into the red zone before the final, game-ending drive finished inside the 20.
– The Rams kept playing light in the box, and the Packers happily ran the ball down their throats.
– If the Packers run the ball this well, no team in the NFL can beat them.
– Rodgers was a little erratic and didn’t have perfect accuracy. He missed a couple throws he usually hits. Then again. he finished completing 23 of 36 passes and didn’t have a turnover.
– What a cool moment for Allen Lazard. He dropped what could have been the game-ending touchdown, but Matt LaFleur dialed up his number again on a similar play and they hit for the final touchdown.
– There is no 208-pound running back tougher than Aaron Jones. Not one. His 60-yard run really provided a spark to start the second half.
– Davante Adams finished with nine catches for 66 yards, but he beat Jalen Ramsey for the first touchdown and later cooked the first-team All-Pro cornerback on a 21-yard play off a slant.
– Marquez Valdes-Scantling had a chance to make a tough catch in the end zone on the Packers’ first drive. Later, his terrific effort on a bubble screen converted on third down and helped set up the final score.
– The Packers will host an NFC Championship Game for the first time in the Rodgers era.
– Props to center Corey Linsley, left guard Elgton Jenkins and right guard Lucas Patrick. They were terrific.
– The Packers were fortunate on the A.J. Dillon fumble. Rodgers was right there to recover it and advanced it forward, avoiding what could have been a huge mistake. The exchange between Dillon and Rodgers wasn’t clean.
– The Packers just did what they do well, avoided the big mistake, handled the ups and downs of the game expertly, and closed the win with a dominant finish. This team knows exactly how to use their strengths, and how they want each game to play out.
– Matt LaFleur’s first two seasons: 26-6 in the regular season, and two trips to the NFC title games.
– The Packers are one win at Lambeau Field away from playing in Super Bowl LV.
