The Green Bay Packers maintained a 16-3, 25-10 lead before closing out a resounding 32-18 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at Lambeau Field.
Victory sends the Packers to the NFC championship game.
Here are all my notes and observations from seeing the 32-18 victory again:
– Preston Smith broke two passes, including one on the third descent to the opening unit. He wasn’t in a position to pressure the quarterback, but he read Jared Goff’s eyes all the way, raised both arms and interrupted the pass. Veteran’s clever game.
– The Packers immediately announced their intentions on offense. The first unit had a strong dose of pre-instantaneous movement and was executed in the inner area. Both concepts would be basic the rest of the way.
– Classic Aaron Rodgers. Identify the late substitution, get everyone to the line, stick it with at least 12 on the field, and play free. To steal.
– Rodgers will want his second and second goal. Márquez Valdés-Scantling was very open to the extended play. It still ended up being a ball that MVS should have caught with both hands above his head, but the throw should have been a disposition.
– Excellent work by Preston Smith to lower the line and make the stop the third and short of the red zone, which finally forced the Rams to throw a field goal. He got into the blocking attempt at the back and grabbed a wide angle to Cam Akers to make the play.
– It has been said in this space several times, but Malik Taylor is not a good enough player. He got an awkward catch and hesitated a second in the end zone on his first return, which ended up being stopped at 15. The Packers can and should do better.
– Who knows how Aaron Jones survived John Johnson’s malicious attempt in the second unit. It has incredible hardness and contact balance.
– Beautiful touchdown game design. Move Forward in motion, have Jalen Ramsey chase, and use the built-in traffic from the defense to create separation and score. The Rams clearly wanted to defend this type of game differently, probably with a late change in this scenario, which is why Ramsey was so excited.
– The Rams had another breakthrough in communication in Za’Darius Smith’s sack. Two players, the left attack and the back run, caught Christian Kirksey in the blitz, allowing Za’Darius to split and have a free run on Goff.
– Two big penalties in the Rams helped the Packers. The first came to Aaron Donald on the first touchdown drive. He gave the Packers 15 free yards and avoided a third- and seventh-place situation. Once again, the Rams scored 15 yards on the point return, allowing the Packers to start possession on the Rams ’47-yard line. They got a touchdown on both units.
– Aaron Jones made Troy Hill look silly in the open field with a simple down control. Even at full speed, Jones can change direction effortlessly.
– Davante’s best representative against Ramsey came in second and 14th in the second quarter. No one runs the bias better than 17. Ramsey didn’t even lend a hand as he installed it and then went inside.
– Why does Aaron Rodgers pump fakes all the time when they spread a play or mix? Leonard Floyd knew exactly why. He bought what Rodgers was selling with the fake, paving the way for the final zone.
– Hunter Bradley’s instant brutal on the extra point. It’s been shaking like the long trap all season. JK Scott’s decision to throw the ball to Mason Crosby and risk injuring the veteran kicker was another mistake.
– The Packers defense becomes notorious for playing soft at the end of the half.
– The 33-yard finish for Robert Tonyan setting the field goal to end the first half was just vintage Rodgers. Avoid pressure, maneuver expertly in your pocket, and look for a receiver on a makeshift route.
– Rodgers’ last two attempts in the first half should have been intercepted. The Rams missed two great opportunities to avoid three points.
– Stunning blocks from Corey Linsley and Lucas Patrick in Aaron Jones ’60-yard run to open the second half. He creates the alley, pulls out a second-tier defender, and lets Jones do the rest.
– Jamaal Williams ran very hard all night.
– The Packers faced very well throughout the game. Even Kevin King was solid.
– One of the best representatives of Rashan Gary’s career was the third sack. Defeating Andrew Whitworth by a sack is no small feat. He won inside with speed and was flexible enough to go back outside to locate Goff and finish the unit. Kenny Clark provided assistance.
– Rodgers’ accuracy was sometimes a bit wasted, and he was very far in the deep ball towards MVS. With a good ball, it’s probably a 92-yard touchdown.
– Surprisingly, just one play after losing MVS, Rodgers was left hanging in his pocket forever, staying dangerously in the end zone for a few seconds before throwing Allen Lazard once for the first low. The play had real entrails for the number 12.
– The same concept that Lazard really opened up about what could have been a 60-yard touchdown in the third quarter helped him open up the possible 58-yard touchdown a quarter later. Both, Rodgers ran a fake drill that sold him well.
– Darious Williams’ pass break to MVS was a cunning and veteran play. A small stretch to frustrate the speed, and then an athletic play to aim the ball without too much contact. Charles Woodson would be impressed.
– The Rams had the fast pass game ready. But every time Goff had to hang in there and make a downward throw, the Pack-Rush made it difficult or impossible.
– Krys Barnes had a good game in general, but Akers took him for a walk in the Wildcat touchdown test. Barnes made the first contact on the 5-yard line, but Akers took him to the end zone.
– Hook and ladder in the two-point attempt. Awesome design and execution from Rams. A very nice game that worked perfectly.
– Running a crosser with Allen Lazard from a grouped or condensed lineup has become a basic game for the Packers in big points.
– Twice, the packers used AJ Dillon as the vertical receiver of the back field. It was open at least once. The play could be something the Packers play in those playoffs again.
– JK Scott saved Hunter Bradley from another moment early in the fourth quarter.
– The Packers defense dominated the fourth quarter. The Rams had 30 yards in 14 plays.
“What lucky luck in Dillon’s smoke.” This could have been a disaster. Instead, Rodgers took it as a short and won a garden.
– Rams corner Troy Hill hit DUR in the fake action game on Lazard’s 58-yard touchdown.
– Barnes would probably have had a game selection if he had two healthy hands. His left hand was in a cast after an injury in the first half. It was still a good read to break at the exit and reduce the throw.
– Za’Darius Smith’s inner pressure forced Jared Goff into the final sack. Gary saw it all the way and was there to stop the fight attempt.
– Impressive final unit to kill the clock. The Packers just put their will ahead and used some simple action-game concepts. It was the same as they did the whole game.