For the second consecutive week, it was the Packers’ defense – not the two-time MVP quarterback – that was the reason Green Bay stayed undefeated. “This [game film] will be studied pretty hard”, said Rodgers, who came into the game having completed 72.4 percent of his passes for an NFL-best 125.9 passer rating, with 11 touchdown passes and no interceptions. “I think it just makes us a better team when we can do that”.
Advertisement
Rodgers understands this, which is why – despite being perturbed with his own performance Sunday and admittedly concerned about the offense’s below-normal production – he is thrilled with the way the defense has carried the day. “For so long now, this has been (an offensive team)”.
The Packers defense held up in spite of losing tackle B.J. Raji to a groin injury and linebacker Nick Perry (shoulder). We’re not making any judgments after five games.
That said, even though this group gave up three sacks, and too many quarterback hits, the overall forward improvement is there. Trumaine Johnson got the second takeaway, after James Laurinaitis made a diving catch of a tipped pass for Rodgers’ first interception of the season. Aaron Rodgers threw two interceptions, his first at Lambeau Field since late 2012. But for once, the Packers got the ball to start the second half, and Rodgers went to his Mr. Reliable – James Jones – for the game’s biggest play, a 65-yard touchdown pass (after the Packers challenged the original ruling that Jones went out at the 1-yard line).
In addition, at age 39, the Raiders’ cornerback became the oldest player ever with two interceptions in a game.
RANT: Eddie Lacy came into Sunday’s game off a strong effort (18 carries for 90 yards) against the 49ers, but he was a no-show against the Rams’ rugged defensive front (13 carries for only 27 yards). That’s only one touchdown allowed in two games – and both happening when Green Bay’s offense wasn’t clicking.
Peppers had a sack and four quarterback hits against Foles.
“Just trying to get a feel for the game, I feel like a lot of times I might miss a couple reads at the beginning of the game”, Gurley said. But Nick Foles first two passing attempts fell incomplete, and the Packers would take over.
It was safety Earl Thomas who broke the drought for the group that includes Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor, picking off Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton on a pass underthrown for A.J. Green in the end zone. Foles threw for 141 yards and a touchdown, as the Rams fell to 2-3.
After his first interception, he threw another one towards the end of the first half.
Green Bay Packers’ Quinten Rollins (24) runs back an interception… That put the Packers up 14-0, and that turned out to be all the points the Packers would need to win.
The one thing that really worked was handing off to rookie Todd Gurley.
Running back Todd Gurley led the Rams (2-3) with 159 yards on 30 carries. “Defense, we’re getting the turnovers”, Fisher said. “But at the end of the day, you still want to finish those explosive runs”, Gurley said. His 50-yard field goal attempt was tipped, and he missed wide from 53 and 63 yards out. A 35-yard field goal from Crosby with about a minute to play completed the scoring. However, the only thing the Rams strung together was another frustrating loss 24-10 to the Green Bay Packers. “We were able to make a few big plays today”.
Advertisement
Rodgers was doing just that in games played at Lambeau Field for what seemed like an eternity until Sunday game. First-year coordinator Ron Zook for the first time endured the special-teams pratfalls of previous seasons with the executed fake punt by the Rams leaving a black mark.
