The Green Bay Packers took a 16-3 and 25-10 lead before finally concluding a convincing 32-18 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at Lambeau Field.
The win sends the Packers to the NFC Championship Game.
Here are all my notes and remarks on reconsidering the 32-18 victory:
Preston Smith broke two passes, including one in third place on the first ride. He was unable to push the quarterback, but he read Jared Goff’s eyes throughout, raised two arms and disrupted the pass. Clever play of the veteran.
The Packers immediately announced their intention to commit the offense. The first ride had a heavy dose of pre-snap movement and in-zone runs. Both concepts will be staples the rest of the way.
– Classic Aaron Rodgers. Identify the late replacement, bring everyone to the line, cut it with at least 12 on the field and get free play. Steal.
– Rodgers wants his 2nd-and-goal setback. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was wide open on the extended game. It was ultimately a ball that MVS should have caught with two hands above his head, but it should have been a layup.
– Excellent work by Preston Smith to work down the line and stop at 3-and-short in the red zone, which eventually forced the Rams to kick a field goal. He got inside the block effort on the back and took a big corner to Cam Akers to make the play.
It has been said several times in this space, but Malik Taylor is just not a good enough kicker. He took an awkward catch and for his first return hesitated for a moment in the final zone, which was finally stopped on the 15th. The Packers can and should do better.
– Who knows how Aaron Jones survived the evil attempt of John Johnson on the second ride? He has an incredible toughness and contact balance.
– Just a beautiful play design at the touch. Put Davante in motion, let Jalen Ramsey chase and use the built-in traffic of the defense to create separation and the score. The Rams clearly wanted to defend the type of game differently, probably with a late switch in the scenario, which is why Ramsey was so animated.
The Rams had another breakdown of communication on Za’Darius Smith’s pocket. Two players – the left-back and the full-back – chased Christian Kirksey into the game, allowing Za’Darius to tear in and get a free kick on Goff.
– Two big penalties on the Rams helped the Packers. The first time comes on Aaron Donald when he first touches. This gave the Packers 15 free yards and prevented a 3rd-and-7 situation. A ride later, the Rams flagged on the points ladder for 15 yards, allowing the Packers to start possession on the Rams ’47-yard line. They scored on both chips.
Aaron Jones made Troy Hill look stupid in the open field with a simple pull-down. Even at full speed, Jones can change direction so effortlessly.
Davante’s best representative against Ramsey came on 2-and-14 in the second quarter. No one walks the slope better than 17. Ramsey did not even get his hands on it when he set it up and then broke inside.
– Why does Aaron Rodgers pump all the time when he’s expanding or scrambling a play? Leonard Floyd found out exactly why. He buys what Rodgers sold on the fake, and clears the way to the end zone.
– Brutal snap from Hunter Bradley on the extra point. He trembled all season as the long snapper. JK Scott’s decision to throw the ball to Mason Crosby and risk an injury to the veteran kicker was another mistake.
The Packers’ defense is notorious for playing softly at the end of the half.
The completion of the 33-yard line to Robert Tonyan who set the field goal to end the first half was just a vintage Rodgers. Avoid the pressure, maneuver in the pocket and look for a receiver on an improvised route.
Both Rodgers’ last two attempts of the first half should have been intercepted. The Rams missed two great opportunities to prevent three points.
– Awesome blocks from Corey Linsley and Lucas Patrick on Aaron Jones’ 60 run to open the second half. Create the alley, take out a defender on the second level and then let Jones do the rest.
Jamaal Williams ran very hard all night.
– The Packers handled the whole game very well. Even Kevin King was solid.
– One of the best representatives of Rashan Gary’s career was the third bag. Hitting Andrew Whitworth for a pocket is no small feat. He quickly won inside and was flexible to turn back to track down Goff to end the ride. Kenny Clark provided assistance.
– Rodgers’ accuracy was sometimes a bit off, and it was on the deep ball after MVS. With a good ball, it’s probably a 92-yard finish.
Surprisingly, just one game after missing MVS, Rodgers hung in the pocket forever and stood dangerously seconds in the final zone before releasing a strike for Allen Lazard for the first time. The play got real guts from number 12.
The same concept that Lazard opened wide about what a 60-yard touchdown could have been in the third quarter helped him open up the final 58-yard touchdown a quarter later. On both, Rodgers performed a stubborn fake that sold it well.
The breaking of Darious Williams on MVS was a clever, veteran move. A little pull to stop the speed, and then an athletic game to show the ball without making too much contact. Charles Woodson would be impressed.
– The Rams played a quick pass. But every time Goff had to hang in there and make a throw to the field, the Passers pass rate made it difficult or impossible.
Krys Barnes generally had a good game, but Akers took him for a ride on the Wildcat run-up. Barnes made the first contact at the 5-yard line, but Akers brought him to the end zone.
Crochet and learn on the two-point attempt. A fantastic design and execution of the Rams. Nice looking game that worked perfectly.
Managing an intersection with Allen Lazard from a grouped or condensed formation has become an important step for the Packers.
Twice, the Packers used AJ Dillon as a vertical receiver from the backfield. It was open at least once. The play could be something the Packers return to in this playoff game.
JK Scott saved Hunter Bradley from another terrible blow early in the fourth quarter.
The Packers defense dominated the fourth quarter. The Rams had 30 yards on 14 plays.
– What a happy breather on Dillon’s whisper. It could have been a disaster. Instead, Rodgers picked it up like a short stop and got a yard.
The Rams’ throne, Troy Hill, bit HARD on the foul play on Lazard’s 58-meter dash.
– Barnes would probably have had a game seal if he had two healthy hands. His left hand was in a cast after a first-half injury. It was still a good read to break on the road and get under the throw.
Domestic pressure from Za’Darius Smith forced Jared Goff into the last pocket. Gary saw it all the way and was there to stop the scrambling attempt.
– Impressive last ride to kill the clock. The Packers just imposed their will up front and used some simple concepts. These were the same things they did throughout the game.