The Green Bay Packers had a 16-3 and 25-10 lead before finally finishing a convincing 32-18 victory over the Los Angeles Rams at Lambeau Field.
The win sends the Packers to the NFC Championship Game.
Here are all my notes and observations from revisiting the 32-18 win:
– Preston Smith broke two passes, including one in third place on the opening run. He wasn’t able to pressure the quarterback, but he read Jared Goff’s eyes the whole time, raised two arms and interrupted the pace. Play smart from the veteran.
– The Packers immediately announced their intentions upon the attack. The first drive had a heavy dose of pre-snap movement and runs within the zone. Both concepts wouldn’t be the rest of the way.
– Classic Aaron Rodgers. Identify the late substitution, bring everyone to the line, hit it with at least 12 on the field and get the free play. Steal.
Rodgers will want his 2nd and goal throw back. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was wide open about the extended game. It still became a ball that MVS should have caught with two hands above his head, but it should have been a lay-up thrown.
Excellent job by Preston Smith working down the line and making the stop on 3rd and short in the red zone, eventually forcing the Rams to kick a field goal. He got in the block attempt at the back and took a wide angle to Cam Akers to make the game.
– It’s been said several times in this space, but Malik Taylor just isn’t good enough to start back. He made a tricky catch and hesitated for a second in the end zone on his first return, which was eventually stopped at 15. The Packers can and must do better.
– Who knows how Aaron Jones survived John Johnson’s vicious hit attempt on the second stage. He has incredible toughness and contact balance.
– Just beautiful play design on the touchdown. Set Davante in motion, have Jalen chase Ramsey, and use the defense’s built-in traffic to create separation and score. The Rams clearly wanted to defend that kind of game differently, probably with a late switch in that scenario, which is why Ramsey was so animated after.
– The Rams had another communication glitch on Za’Darius Smith’s pocket. Two players – the left tackle and the running back – took Christian Kirksey on the blitz, allowing Za’Darius to split in and have a free run at Goff.
– Two big punishments on the Rams helped the Packers. The first came to Aaron Donald on the first touchdown ride. It gave the Packers 15 yards free and avoided a 3rd-and-7 situation. A ride later, the Rams got a 15-yard flag at the punt return, allowing the Packers to begin possession on the Rams’ 47-yard line. They scored a touchdown on both discs.
– Aaron Jones made Troy Hill look dumb in the open field with a simple check-down. Even at full speed, Jones can change direction so effortlessly.
Davante’s best representative against Ramsey came in 2nd and 14th in the second quarter. No one walks the slope better than 17. Ramsey didn’t even get a hand on him when he got him up and then broke inside.
– Why is Aaron Rodgers pumping fake all the time when he’s lengthening or scrambling a play? Leonard Floyd discovered exactly why. He bought what Rodgers sold on the fake, and cleared the path to the end zone.
– Hunter Bradley’s brutal snap at the extra point. It vibrates like the long snapper all season long. JK Scott’s decision to throw the ball to Mason Crosby and the risk of injury to the veteran kicker was another mistake.
– The Packers defense gets notorious for playing soft at the end of the half.
– The 33 yards completion for Robert Tonyan setting up the field goal to end the first half was just vintage Rodgers. Avoid the pressure, maneuver skillfully into the bag and find a receiver on an improvised route.
– Both of Rodgers’ last two attempts in the first half should have been intercepted. The Rams missed two big chances to avoid three runs.
– Awesome blocks from Corey Linsley and Lucas Patrick on Aaron Jones’ 60-yard run to open the second half. Create the alley, take out a second level defender and let Jones do the rest.
– Jamaal Williams has been running all night.
– The Packers have handled the whole game very well. Even Kevin King was solid.
One of the best representatives of Rashan Gary’s career was the third down sack. Beating Andrew Whitworth for a sack is no mean feat. He won with speed indoors and was flexible enough to return outside to track Goff and finish the ride. Kenny Clark provided an assist.
Rodgers’ accuracy was a bit off at times, and it was way off the deep ball to MVS. With a good ball it is likely a 92 yards touchdown.
– Amazingly, after missing MVS, Rodgers kept on playing forever in the pocket and was dangerously in the end zone for seconds before unleashing an attack on Allen Lazard for the first down. The piece took real guts from No. 12.
The same concept that opened Lazard wide on what could have been a 60-yard touchdown in the third quarter helped him open the final 58-yard touchdown a quarter later. On both, Rodgers performed a hard run fake that sold it well.
– The breakup of Darious Williams on MVS was a smart, experienced move. A bit of tugging to thwart speed, then an athletic game of aiming the ball high without too much contact. Charles Woodson would be impressed.
– The Rams had the fast passing game in jumps. But every time Goff had to hang there and make a downfield throw, Packers’ pass rush made it difficult or impossible.
Krys Barnes had a nice race overall, but Akers took him for a ride on the Wildcat touchdown run. Barnes made first contact at the 5-yard line, but Akers carried him to the end zone.
– Hook and ladder on the two-point attempt. A great design and execution of the Rams. Nice looking game that worked perfectly.
Running a crosser with Allen Lazard from a bundled or condensed formation has become a staple for the Packers in big spots.
Twice the Packers used AJ Dillon as the vertical receiver from the backfield. It was open at least once. The piece could be something the Packers are going back to in these playoffs.
– JK Scott saved Hunter Bradley from another terrible fall at the start of the fourth quarter.
– The Packers defense dominated the fourth quarter. The Rams had 30 total yards on 14 games.
– What a happy respite from Dillon’s fumble. That could have been a disaster. Instead, Rodgers scooped it up as a short stop and won a yard.
– Ram’s cornerback Troy Hill bit HARD the play-action fake on Lazard’s 58-yard touchdown.
– Barnes probably would have had a game-seal choice had he had two healthy hands. His left hand was in a cast after an injury in the first half. It was still a good book to break on the out route and undercut the throw.
Domestic pressure from Za’Darius Smith forced Jared Goff into the last bag. Gary saw it all the way and was there to stop the scrambling attempt.
– Impressive final drive to kill the clock. The Packers just imposed their will and used a few simple game-action concepts. It was the same things they all did.