Green Bay Packers v. Rams: Instant Takeaways from Impressive Win

It was a game that carried major playoff implications in the NFC and the Green Bay Packers were able to come away with the win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Here are my instant takeaways from the Green Bay Packers performance.

– Perhaps the biggest concern this game was wondering how well the Green Bay Packers OL would hold up. But to their credit, they did just fine—although sticking with the run game, utilizing motion, and quick passes certainly helped.

– Even though the run game was far from dominant, in fact, they averaged fewer than 3.5 yards per rush, Green Bay stuck with it, which was a must.

– A lack of practice time has certainly played a role in the ups and downs that we’ve seen from the offense, but even though Aaron Rodgers missed each practice this past week, there was little rust with this unit this week. And again, sticking with the run and utilizing the quick passing game helped.

– This offense hasn’t generated explosive pass plays at the same rate that they did in 2020, but today they connected on several big plays.

– The defense really set the tone early and allowed the offense to get off to a fast start—something they’ve struggled with. That forced fumble by Rashan Gary was a heck of a rep as was the 4th down stop by Adrian Amos.

– The Green Bay Packers are thin at edge rusher and it was evident when Gary and Preston Smith were not on the field.

– Overall there wasn’t a ton of pressure generated by the Packers defensive front. And we also didn’t see Joe Barry send many blitzes either. Green Bay wanted to make sure that they took away the LA passing game.

– Cooper Kupp is one of those players that is going to find success no matter what, but the Packers did a good job of making sure he didn’t dominate.

– The run defense had another nice performance, holding the Rams to under 4.0 yards per rush. Overall, it was a nice performance by the defense with about half of the total yards they allowed coming on two plays, but other than that, they were all-around solid once again.

– As a ball carrier, pass catcher, pass blocker, AJ Dillon is a complete back.

– After Amari Rodgers has struggled returning punts this season, Matt LaFleur put Randall Cobb in. However, he would fumble his first punt return attempt. Apparently it doesn’t matter what the Packers do on special teams.

– But just like the Packers have had special teams issues this season, so have the Rams as they entered the game ranked 26th by PFF. Today they would have a fumbled punt of their own.

– Mason Crosby still couldn’t make all of his field goal attempts. At this point I’m not sure what has to change—we know Crosby isn’t going anywhere.

– Green Bay dominated the time of possession. In part it was because the defense did a really good job of getting off the field on third downs.

– Eric Stokes is often in good position with that speed and athleticism of his, but he has to get better at finding the ball. Fortunately, the play I’m referring to was overturned and not a touchdown.

– Randall Cobb was having his best game of the season — minus the fumble — before he left with a groin injury. Cobb caught four passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.

– Green Bay has been very good at preventing the big play this season so it’s not often that we will see the CBs not have help over the top, which is what happened on the long TD to Van Jefferson. Both Savage and Amos jumped underneath routes to Kupp and Beckham.

– Can you believe Rasul Douglas was sitting on Arizona’s practice squad? What an addition he has been. Yea he gave up a big play — the safety help wasn’t there again — but he’s provided stability at the CB position this season. Douglas had 4 PBUs and an interception against LA.

– Green Bay forced 3 turnovers and came away with 17 points.

– Rodgers did a nice job of spreading the ball around with eight different players recording at least one reception.

– Now time for a much-needed bye week.