Packers’ offense carries team to win over Rams

Updated: Jan. 16, 9:50 p.m.

Top offenses carrying a team to a Super Bowl is becoming a more prevalent trend in the National Football League nowadays. The Green Bay Packers continued the trend, as their offense dominated the top-rated Los Angeles Rams defense during a 32-18 victory in an NFC divisional round playoff game Jan. 16 at Lambeau Field.

The Packers’ offense scored points on its first five drives to build a comfortable lead and then came through again late to put the game away.

The unit amassed 484 total net yards on 72 offensive plays for an eye-popping 6.7-yard average. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers passed for 296 yards on 23 completions while not being sacked or hardly touched all game. The Packers running game racked up 188 yards on 36 carries.

“Nobody,” said receiver Davante Adams, when asked who could stop the Packers’ offense. “We stop ourselves. I think that’s been proven at this point.”

In front of more than 8,000 loud and proud spectators, the Packers’ defense forced a three-and-out to start the game. Green Bay’s offense then marched 63 yards in 12 plays before settling for a 24-yard Mason Crosby field goal.

The Rams tied it up on the ensuing possession, but the Packers’ offense responded with a touchdown drive. This time, Green Bay’s offense went 84 yards in 14 plays, capped by a 1-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Adams.

The Packers’ defense bounced back and forced another punt after three plays, and after a Rams’ penalty on the punt return, Green Bay’s offense took over at the Los Angeles’ 47-yard line.

Nine plays later, the Packers found the end zone again. Rodgers finished off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, faking out a defender with a pump fake before stretching the ball over the pylon.

Just when it looked like Green Bay might run away with the game, Los Angeles answered. It took the Rams just three minutes to go 75 yards and score a touchdown with 29 seconds remaining in the opening half.

Instead of being content with the lead, the Packers decided to air it out. Rodgers found Adams for a gain of 21 on the first play of the drive and tight end Robert Tonyan for another 33 yards on the next play. Crosby connected on a 39-yard field goal to make it 19-10 at halftime.

The halftime break didn’t slow the Packers.

On the first offensive play of the third quarter, running back Aaron Jones busted free for a 60-yard run. Jones was rewarded later on the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 15 after a failed two-point conversion.

After a Rams’ three-and-out, the Packers had the chance to deliver a knockout blow. But a rare Rodgers’ overthrow and a big dropped pass by Allen Lazard forced the team’s first punt.

Los Angeles then put together an 11-play, 79-yard touchdown drive and converted the two-point conversion to make it a seven-point game.

Green Bay also had to punt on its next drive, but its defense stiffened under pressure and eventually got the ball back for its offense.

The Packers avoided a disaster on the second play of the drive when rookie running back AJ Dillon fumbled on a rush attempt. The ball bounced back toward Rodgers, who scooped it up to keep the drive alive.

Three plays later, Lazard redeemed himself, getting open in the Rams’ secondary and hauling in a game-sealing 58-yard touchdown pass.

“It’s huge, obviously just for my confidence and just feeling like I contributed to the team with my role,” said Lazard of his bounceback play.

“It’s an unacceptable drop, but thankfully my coaches and my teammates really trust in me and I was able to go out there and Aaron threw a good ball for me to go make a play.”

The Packers’ defense made one final stop before the Packers offense ran out the final five minutes of the contest.

Green Bay now await the winner of the other divisional round playoff game. The Packers will host either the New Orleans Saints or Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 2:05 p.m. Jan. 24 at Lambeau Field.

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