The Green Bay Packers took a 16-3, 25-10 lead before finally concluding a convincing 32-18 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at Lambeau Field.
Victoria sends the Packers to the NFC championship game.
Here are all my notes and observations from the resumption of the 32-18 win:
– Preston Smith broke two passes, including one on the third down on the opening drive. He was unable to press the defender, but he read Jared Goff’s eyes all the way, raised two arms and interrupted the step. Smart game of the veteran.
– The packers immediately made their intentions regarding the offense known. The first unit had a heavy dose of pre-snap movement and inside the running area. Both concepts would be basic elements in the rest of the road.
– Classic Aaron Rodgers. Identify the late substitution, bring everyone to the line, draw it with at least 12 on the field and get free play. Steal.
– Rodgers will want his second and empty net back. Marquez Valdes-Scantling were pushed back, and had many dangerous counterattacks. However, it turned out to be a ball that MVS should have caught with two hands over his head, but the throw should have been a stretch.
– An excellent job for Preston Smith to go on the line and stop 3rd and short in the red zone, which eventually forced the Rams to hit a target. He got into the blocking attempt on the back and took an excellent angle at Cam Akers to make the game.
– It has been said in this space several times, but Malik Taylor is not good enough to return to the shot. He made an awkward catch and hesitated for a second in the final area on his first return, which ended up being stopped at 15. Packers can and should do better.
“Who knows how Aaron Jones survived John Johnson’s mischievous coup attempt on the second voyage.” It has an incredible hardness and contact balance.
– Just nice game design at the touchdown. Get Davante moving, get Jalen Ramsey to follow him, and use the built-in defensive traffic to create separation and score. Rams clearly wanted to defend this different type of game, probably with a late change in that scenario, which is why Ramsey was so animated after.
‘Rams had another communication failure in Za’Darius Smith’s bag. Two players – the left attack and the defender – took Christian Kirksey on the flash, allowing Za’Darius to break inside and have a free run at Goff.
– Two heavy penalties on the Rams helped the Packers. The first came Aaron Donald to the first touchdown unit. He gave the Packers 15 free yards and prevented a 3rd and 7th situation. A trip later, the Rams were marked for 15 yards on the return, allowing the Packers to begin possession on the Rams’ 47-foot line. They scored a touchdown on both units.
– Aaron Jones made Troy Hill look silly in the open field at a simple check. Even at full speed, Jones can change directions so easily.
– Davante’s best representative against Ramsey came in 2nd and 14th in the second quarter. No one runs the incline better than 17. Ramsey didn’t even get his hands on it when he set it up and then went inside.
– Why does Aaron Rodgers pump falsely all the time when prolonging a play or quarrel? Leonard Floyd found out exactly why. He bought what Rodgers falsely sold, paving the way for the final zone.
– Brutal snap from Hunter Bradley to the extra point. He trembled like a long stretcher all season. JK Scott’s decision to throw Mason Crosby’s ball and risk an injury to the veteran kicker was another mistake.
– The Packers defense becomes notorious for playing software at the end of the half.
– Robert Tonyan’s 33-yard finish setting the goal for the end of the first half was just vintage Rodgers. Avoid pressure, maneuver expertly in your pocket and find a receiver on a makeshift route.
– Both of Rodgers’ last two first-half attempts should have been intercepted. Rams wasted two great opportunities to prevent three points.
– Wonderful blocks from Corey Linsley and Lucas Patrick in Aaron Jones’ 60-meter run to open the second half. Create the alley, take out a level 2 defender, and then let Jones do the rest.
– Jamaal Williams ran very hard all night.
– The Packers approached very well throughout the game. Even Kevin King was solid.
– One of the best representatives of Rashan Gary’s career was the third bag. Beating Andrew Whitworth for a sack is no small matter. He won quickly inside and was flexible enough to turn outside to follow Goff to end the drive. Kenny Clark provided assistance.
– Rodgers’ accuracy was sometimes a little low and he was far from the deep ball to MVS. With a good ball, it’s probably a 92-yard touchdown.
– Amazingly, one piece after missing the MVS, Rodgers stayed in his pocket forever, sitting dangerously in the end zone for a few seconds before triggering an Allen Lazard shot for the first descent. The song took real courage from number 12.
– The same concept that threw Lazard wide open on what could have been a 60-yard touchdown in the third quarter helped him open the eventual 58-yard touchdown a quarter later. On both, Rodgers executed a fake that sold well.
– The parting of Darious Williams on MVS was a cunning, veteran move. A little shooting to counter the speed, and then an athletic play to lift the ball without too much contact. Charles Woodson would have been impressed.
– The Aries had the fast-forward game in spurts. But every time Goff had to sit there and throw down, the Packers step made it difficult or impossible.
– Krys Barnes had a good game in general, but Akers took him for a walk in the Wildcat touchdown race. Barnes made his first contact on the 5-meter line, but Akers took him to the end zone.
– Hook and ladder for the two-point test. Wonderful design and execution by Rams. A pretty nice piece that worked perfectly.
– Running a Allen Lazard crosser from a grouped or condensed lineup has become a staple game for the Packers in big places.
– Twice, the Packers used AJ Dillon as a vertical receiver in the background. It was open at least once. The game could be something the Packers return to in these playoffs.
– JK Scott saved Hunter Bradley from another terrible blow at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
– The Packers defense dominated the fourth quarter. Rams had 30 yards in total on 14 plays.
“What a happy break at Dillon’s beating.” It could have been a disaster. Instead, Rodgers took it as a shortstop and won a court.
– Rams corner, Troy Hill, bit HARD on the fake action game on Lazard’s 58-yard touchdown.
– Barnes would probably have had a choice to seal the game if he had two healthy hands. His left hand was thrown after an injury in the first half. It was another good read to break on the trail and escape the throw.
‘Za’Darius Smith’s inner pressure forced Jared Goff into the final sack. Gary saw everything and was there to stop the fight.
– Impressive final unit to kill the clock. The Packers just put their will forward and used a few simple concepts of action. They were the same things they did the whole game.