Aaron Rodgers, Packers Beat Matthew Stafford, Rams; Odell Beckham Gets 1st TD with LA
The Green Bay Packers bounced back from a disappointing 34-31 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last weekend with a 36-28 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
It was an impressive win for the Packers, especially considering reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers has been dealing with what has been described as a painful toe injury. The Green & Gold improved to 9-3 on the season with Sunday's win to take a commanding lead in the NFC North.
Notable Stats
Aaron Rodgers, QB, GB: 28/45 for 307 YDS, 2 TD and 1 CAR for 1 YD, 1 TD
Matthew Stafford, QB, LAR: 21/38 for 302 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT
Davante Adams, WR, GB: 8 REC for 104 YDS
Randall Cobb, WR, GB: 4 REC for 95 YDS, 1 TD
Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR: 7 REC for 96 YDS
A.J. Dillon, RB, GB: 20 CAR for 69 YDS and 5 REC for 21 YDS, 1 TD
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LAR: 5 REC for 81 YDS, 1 TD
Green Bay Defense Limits L.A. Receiving Trio
When the Rams signed Odell Beckham Jr. earlier this season, the team was expected to boast one of the best receiving groups in the NFL. They were anything but that on Sunday night.
The Packers' defense did an incredible job of limiting Stafford's receivers on Sunday night, especially Cooper Kupp. The veteran quarterback targeted Kupp 10 times, and the 28-year-old was limited to just 7 catches for 96 yards and no touchdowns.
Beckham was also limited to five catches in his second game as a Ram. Stafford targeted him 10 times.
But while Kupp and Beckham were mostly ineffective, Van Jefferson was able to break loose for his best game of the season, catching three passes for 93 yards and one touchdown.
Kupp entered Sunday's game leading the NFL with 1,141 receiving yards and tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns (10). The Rams also entered averaging 289.3 passing yards per game (fifth in the NFL), which further shows how impressive the Packers defense was.
Some of Green Bay's best defenders on Saturday night were Kenny Clark, Rasul Douglas and Krys Barnes. The trio combined for 21 tackles, while Barnes recovered a fumble on a punt return in the third quarter. That turnover was turned into a field goal by the Packers to take a commanding 30-17 lead.
Douglas also intercepted Stafford late in the third quarter and ran it in for a touchdown to give the Packers a 36-17 lead. It was Stafford's third pick-six in his last three games.
In total, the Green Bay defense forced three turnovers and limited the Rams' offense to just 353 yards. In comparison, the Packers' offense had 400 yards in the win.
Rams' Rushing Offense Ineffective in Loss
The Rams aren't known for having one of the best rushing offenses in the league, but the team was largely ineffective on the ground against the Packers. Darrell Henderson Jr. and Sony Michel combined for just 69 yards on 19 carries in Sunday's loss.
Entering Sunday's matchup against the Packers, the Rams were ranked 24th in the NFL averaging 97.9 yards per game rushing and just 979 yards of total offense on the ground.
Henderson has been L.A.'s top running back this season, entering with 593 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in nine games. However, the Rams need to start getting more production out of Michel.
The 26-year-old was traded from the New England Patriots to the Rams in August and he has been largely ineffective. In 10 games entering Sunday's matchup, he had just 76 carries for 291 yards and one touchdown.
The 2021 campaign has been the least productive of Michel's career thus far. To put it into context, in his last season with the Patriots in 2020, Michel rushed for 449 yards in nine games.
However, it's important to note L.A.'s struggles on the ground aren't entirely Henderson and Michel's fault. The Rams lost their top running back, Cam Akers, to a season-ending Achilles injury during an offseason workout.
The 22-year-old, a former second-round pick, was expected to have a breakout year in 2021 after rushing for 625 yards and two scores as a rookie in 2020.
What's Next?
The Rams will host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 5, while the Packers will hit their bye week before hosting the Chicago Bears on Dec. 12.
