Pack get back on track with win in Los Angeles
The Green Bay Packers season got back on track, as the defense led the team to a 24-19 victory on Oct. 6 over the Los Angeles Rams in Southern California.
The story for the Packers was once again the defense, as the NFL’s leading turnover-causing defense took the ball away twice from Matt Stafford and the Rams to bring the season total to 14.
Finding itself down 13-10 to open the second half, Green Bay got the spark that it needed to carry through the rest of the game. Los Angeles running back Kyren Williams ran up the middle for a 2-yard gain but was stripped by Packer linebacker Kingsley Enagbare.
Green Bay’s second turnover came by way of a familiar face. Up 17-13, the Packers defense got pressure on Stafford and forced him into a difficult throw. That throw wound up in the hands of Packers defensive back Xavier McKinney.
The interception now marks the fifth in as many games for McKinney, a Packers record through a players’ first five games with the team.
“Like I said earlier, he’s balling,” said Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark, on McKinney. “I mean, he is on a roll. Whatever he is doing, he needs to keep doing it. Credit to him for his preparation and everything he has been bringing to the table. He is a baller.”
As for the offense, Jordan Love finished the game completing 15-of-26 passes for two touchdowns and one interception. Love’s interception came before the half. In Green Bay’s end zone, Love rolled to his right, bounced off a hit and to avoid a safety tossed the ball out to his right. That pass was intercepted by Rams defensive back Jaylen McCollough, who returned it for a touchdown.
After the interception and after the half, Love started to settle in and completed two touchdown passes to tight end Tucker Kraft, who added another 88 yards through the air. The first of Kraft’s touchdowns came on a 66-yard catch and run down the left sideline.
Running back Josh Jacobs had one of his better days as a Packer, finishing with 73 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown. His touchdown run came early in the game, as he plunged in from the 2-yard line.
Jacobs’ touchdown was set up on the preceding play though, as Love threw a pass deep to the left side of the field intended for receiver Jayden Reed. Through triple coverage, Love snuck the ball in to Reed for a 53-yard gain.
“I am confident in my guys and their ability to go out and make plays,” said Love.
As for the Rams, it was Stafford who led the offense, as the veteran quarterback finished the game completing 29-of-45 passes for 260 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Williams added 102 yards on the ground on 22 carries and one touchdown.
In the receiving game, with superstar receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua injured, Jordan Whittington led the team with 89 yards on seven catches. Tutu Atwell and tight end Colby Parkinson added 58 yards and 52 yards, respectively.
With Green Bay up 24-13, the Rams went down and scored a touchdown with 3:30 left in the fourth quarter but failed the two-point try.
Green Bay then ran just 33 seconds off of the clock, punting the ball back to Los Angeles with 2:57 left in the game. Stafford and the Rams offense marched down to the Green Bay 45-line and faced a fourth-and-5 with 1:05 left. On the ensuing down, Stafford found pressure in his face and his pass intended for Parkinson fell incomplete, giving Green Bay the opportunity to run the clock out and win the game.
The win over the Los Angeles Rams now gives the Packers a 3-2 record. With the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings winning this week and the Detroit Lions with a bye, Green Bay still finds itself tied for third in the division. Given the nature of the division and the talent, it is obvious that Green Bay has to continue to win games to keep pace in the NFC North.
Green Bay gets to build upon this win next week as it takes on the Cardinals at home.