Packers vs. Rams: Quick Takes from Green Bay’s 24-10 Win in Week 5

Quick takes from Green Bay's 24-10 win over the St. Louis Rams in Week 5. 

On an uncharacteristically sloppy day from Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers (5-0) used a few big plays and a battering defense to extend their home winning streak to 12 games with a 24-10 win over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday from Lambeau Field. 

 

It was over when…

…rookie Quinten Rollins made amends, intercepting Nick Foles at the 5-yard line after allowing Stedman Bailey to give the Rams a glimmer of hope with a 68-yard catch-and-run late in the fourth quarter. 

 

Game Balls

  • James Jones: Where would the Packers be without the veteran receiver? His 65-yard touchdown gave Green Bay some much needed breathing room early in the second half. It was the kind of big play the Packers had to have in a game like Sunday’s, when consistently moving the football became a big challenge. Jones now has 394 receiving yards and five touchdowns through five games. 
  • Clay Matthews: The Packers inside linebacker was the general of an all-out assault on Rams quarterback Nick Foles. Matthews finished with 1.5 sacks, and at least a half dozen other hurries and quarterback hits. All those pressures added up on Foles, who looked rattled for all 60 minutes. He threw four picks and had under 80 yards passing until his final heave to Bailey. He’ll likely have recurring nightmares of Matthews running free at him. 
  • Datone Jones: The former first-round pick blocked Greg Zuerlein’s first field goal attempt, preserving Green Bay’s 11-point lead in the second half. It came after St. Louis converted a first down with a fake punt. After Jones’ block, the Rams kicker went on to miss his next two tries. 

 

Stat of the Game 

3: The number of turnovers credited to Rodgers, in the form of two interceptions and a lost fumble. Sunday was the first time since 2009 that the Packers quarterback finished a game with at least three giveaways. 

 

Other Notes

-- For the second week in a row, the Packers won with defense. Rodgers and the offense had all kinds of problems moving and keeping the football, but Dom Capers’ unit had an answer almost every time the Packers’ offense stumbled. Overall, Green Bay’s defense gave up just three points off turnovers, while also creating four takeaways (including one for a score) and three sacks. The Rams were just 1-of-4 scoring touchdowns in the red zone and managed just 10 points despite running 70 plays. The Packers likely lose a game like this in the past. 

-- The three Green Bay turnovers were explainable. Rodgers’ first pick at home since 2012 was the result of a tipped ball and an impressive diving catch. His second came after the Packers lost T.J. Lang and needed to throw quick. The Rams squatted on the short routes, and even then, it took a fantastic individual effort to make the play. Defensive end Robert Quinn created the third when he made a clean strip of Rodgers in the pocket, but everyone on the offensive line—including left tackle David Bakhtiari—believed it was a free play. No one likes giveaways—especially at home, where the Packers are typically so clean on offense—but these weren’t egregious mistakes. The Rams made plays. 

-- The Packers are officially banged up. Eddie Lacy isn’t 100 percent. Randall Cobb isn’t 100 percent. Davonte Adams is still out. When Bryan Bulaga came back, T.J. Lang went down. It’s hard to play consistent offense with that many moving parts, especially when the replacements are young guys. On defense, B.J. Raji, Nick Perry and Casey Hayward all left the game. Morgan Burnett missed another game. The Packers have one more week to get through before some much needed time off. Then comes a trip out to Denver. Hopefully, Green Bay will be in better shape for that showdown coming out of the bye. 

-- Ugly wins are still wins. And remember, this same Rams team beat the Seahawks in Week 1 and snapped Arizona’s unbeaten start last Sunday. The Packers matched the physicality early on, beat up on the opposing quarterback and made just enough plays on offense to get to 5-0. Giving the ball away three times at home and allowing almost 200 yards rushing is almost always a recipe for defeat. Green Bay won by two touchdowns. 

-- The Packers stay home for Week 6, when the Chargers will travel to Lambeau Field. San Diego will make the long trip east after playing the Monday night game in Week 5. Win the game and Green Bay will enter the bye week at 6-0. 

 

Zach Kruse contributes to Cheesehead TV. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected]. 

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Comments (43)

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 11, 2015 at 04:33 pm

I agree that the turnovers are explainable. 1st one is just a batted pass. It happens. 2nd is DBs sitting on routes, in part because Lang was out and in part because the WRs aren't actually all that great. Third is on Bakh for simply getting beat. Don't know what thinking you have a free play has to do with getting beat cleanly. Final reason is because the Rams defense is darn good, which explains all three turnovers.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

October 11, 2015 at 05:29 pm

I wonder why we never hit them with any sluggos...

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Oppy's picture

October 11, 2015 at 06:00 pm

If we were to be really honest, there's a definite explanation for one of the interceptions, and that is James Jones needs to attack the ball, not just sit and wait for the ball to come to him on the outside shoulder stop route.

That was a DB who did his film study, because it's something JJ has done on all those stop routes, and he's been lucky it hasn't happened before. He needs to come back to the ball, or else this is going to happen again.

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Oppy's picture

October 11, 2015 at 06:06 pm

We're also lucky there weren't another 2-3 interceptions because Rodgers threw passes into lanes he shouldn't have.

I can't just pretend Rodgers wasn't off today. He was.

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4thand1's picture

October 11, 2015 at 09:29 pm

I rewatched the game and the receivers were getting very little separation. Rodgers was going through his progressions but timing was off. Defense wins championships. Other than a couple of big plays, the D was great. After the big plays they intercepted.

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Rossonero's picture

October 11, 2015 at 04:48 pm

My prediction was Packers 21, Rams 16, so it was about what I expected -- a defensive battle. Very happy with the defense and special teams today.

I hope the injuries are not severe. It's a testament to the depth on this team. GO PACK GO, bring on San Diego!

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NewNikeShoes's picture

October 11, 2015 at 04:51 pm

No game ball for Rollins?
MVP for me. Saved the day.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 12, 2015 at 07:19 am

I was very happy to see him explode onto the scene today. This is exactly what I envisioned in him when the Packers drafted him. I was very high on him after seeing him in college. I am happy to see him do the same things he did in college, in the pros.

We will continue to see bumps from the rookies, but if they continue to make plays, expect to see a lot of them moving forward.

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Charvid's picture

October 11, 2015 at 05:03 pm

This Defense has a different toughness to it that we haven't seen in quite a while. Clay was an animal, but Guion and Neal and Jones all played great. Guion had a hit on Gurley that just stopped him in his tracks. I love the turnovers they're creating but I really like the edge they're playing with. The two are probably not unrelated.

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HankScorpio's picture

October 11, 2015 at 08:33 pm

I don't want to jinx anything in October but it's been about 5 years since the Packers have been playing such a physical style of defense. They are definitely punishing QBs these days. They were getting after Foles so hard today the Rams had to go to a 70s era offense for the second half. They made it work a little better then a more diverse approach. Last week, they were smacking around Kaepernick so hard he was looking to slide way early. Alex Smith wasn't very comfortable in the pocket either. If you can do that, you're going to be a successful defense.

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NashvilleCheesehead's picture

October 11, 2015 at 05:05 pm

On our way up from Nashville to see the Packers go 6-0!!!!

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Mojo's picture

October 11, 2015 at 05:19 pm

Bulaga played well. The whole O-line was pretty good, especially pass blocking. When Rodgers was pressured, it was usually because he was holding the ball a long time. Which leads to another point. Are the WR's never getting open?

D was great getting pressure in the first, but I think the Rams finally figured out to run Gurley and use the aggressiveness of the d-line against them.

CM3 is just a nightmare for opposing offenses. If they had another ILB like him this d would really take off.

Richard Rodgers drop was horrible. And his penalty on the FG was inexcusable. ARod has to put it right on him because he rarely gets any separation. At best a mediocre blocker. Not impressed with his play this year.

Two wins in row by the D. They gave up a couple of big plays, but won the war. Guess this is good overall, but at least for now things might be reversed. In the future, we might need the O to pick it up when the D isn't performing to expectations.

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croatpackfan's picture

October 12, 2015 at 08:33 am

They know all that by themselves. They know even more than we knows... Richard Rodgers is young prospect for TE which is valuable part of Packers D. As I would like that he catch that ball thrown from 30 yards, drops happens. There is no reason to spit on anybody!

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DrealynWilliams's picture

October 11, 2015 at 05:20 pm

Typo

Danone Jones

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dobber's picture

October 11, 2015 at 06:54 pm

Has been so invisible at times that even the bloggers misspell his name...

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Zach Kruse's picture

October 11, 2015 at 07:23 pm

Thank you. My damn spell check always changes his name on me.

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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

October 11, 2015 at 07:53 pm

atone Jones...because his D is missing?

I kid because I care.

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Evan's picture

October 11, 2015 at 08:46 pm

Or because he's starting to atone for his lackluster first two seasons?

It works on so many levels!

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johngalt's picture

October 11, 2015 at 05:34 pm

thought the run blocking struggled today- which was surprising. Aaron's play came back to earth this week- probably will be a good thing in the long run. BTW--CWood is having a monster game against Peyton. Man I miss that guy.

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Oppy's picture

October 11, 2015 at 06:03 pm

That's a 4 man D Line composed of all first round draft picks, and they have a rotation that sees yet another first round defensive lineman get out there.

Denver's D line isn't even quite as good, IMO.

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dobber's picture

October 11, 2015 at 06:55 pm

Denver is good front to back in their defense, maybe not as good on the line, but fast and aggressive in their LB and DB. They are fun to watch.

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HankScorpio's picture

October 11, 2015 at 08:37 pm

The Rams have played each of the consensus 3 best NFC teams. They lost one of the three. That's a good team and that DL is the best part of it.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 12, 2015 at 07:22 am

Very vaild point...
And they beat the Cardinals in Arizona.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 12, 2015 at 02:04 am

2nd overall pick: Long, 14th Pick: Quinn; 14th pick: Brockers; 13th pick: Donald. SS Barron was the 7th overall pick - Rams traded for him. DT Fairley was 13th pick (FA signing). LB Ogletree was a 1st rounder (30th). LB Laurinaitis was the 35th pick. LB Ayers was the 39th pick (got traded to the Rams); CB Janoris Jenkins #39. CB Joyner 41st pick. CB Trumaine Johnson #65. SS McDonald 71st. FS McLeod was a UDFA.

7 former 1st round draft picks (6 high picks 14th or higher).
3 high 2nd round picks.
2 high 3rd rd picks.
4th (2) Hayes, Alexander
6th: (1) Eugene Sims
1 UDFA.

Good grief: 6 players top 14 or better, 10 players top 41; 12 top 71, not one of which is a rookie: this better be a good defense given the capital used to construct it.

[Full disclosure: I contrasted the Rams with the Packers. While the Rams used much higher picks in rd 1 than GB, and there is a significant difference in draft capital, the contrast was not as sharp as I expected. ]

GB: 1st Rd (7/2 high) Raji, CM3, Jones, Perry, Peppers, Randall, Dix;
2nd Rd: (3 - 2 high) Neal 56th, Rollins (62nd), Hayward (62nd)

GB: 2 top 14; 7 top 41; 10 top 71 but including 2 rookies.
3rd Rd: (1 - 1 high) Burnett (71st pick)
4th Rd: (2 - 0 high) Daniels and Ryan
5th Rd: (2) Hyde and Guion
6th Rd: (0)
7th Rd: (2) Palmer, Barrington
UDFA: (7) Shields, Pennel, Elliott, Mulumba, Banjo, Gunter, Richardson,

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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

October 11, 2015 at 07:55 pm

Also noted that Chuckwood picked Cutler last week. Some things never change.

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Tundraboy's picture

October 11, 2015 at 06:04 pm

Considering how often the D was on the field, I am extremely proud of their performance. Amazing.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 12, 2015 at 02:08 am

Rams: 33 minutes, 43 seconds; GB 26 minutes 17 seconds TOP

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Tundraboy's picture

October 11, 2015 at 06:33 pm

Go Pack Go, 5 and 0 !

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Lphill's picture

October 11, 2015 at 07:37 pm

I would have liked to see Cobb and Montgomery in the backfield more I think that slows down the D line a bit , I bet we see it next week .

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Oppy's picture

October 11, 2015 at 08:30 pm

If you want to see the D stop and scratch their heads, let's throw Clay Matthews back there for shiggles.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 12, 2015 at 07:29 am

Yeah, I was honestly surprised they didn't use this formation more.

I think we will see this formation a lot more once Adams comes back from injury.

But I thought yesterday it would have been a really good change of pace which could have sparked the offense a bit.

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zoellner25's picture

October 11, 2015 at 08:49 pm

3 words.......HHCD game ball. Dude was simply awesome today.

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Since'61's picture

October 11, 2015 at 09:11 pm

Defense is getting better every week. Offense needs to get healthy. This was the first game in which not having Jordy Nelson really hurt the Packers offense. Give the Rams D credit for slowing down our run game. Once they did that they knew Rodgers had to go to short/medium passing game and they sat on it. We need to generate some type of deep threat and stretch the field, especially against better defenses. Otherwise, Packers D played great again and we got a solid win. 5-0! Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

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Curt's picture

October 11, 2015 at 09:32 pm

still don't understand why the second int wasn't overturned? the bad clearly slid up in the defenders hands - 2 plus inches - when the nose of the ball hit the ground.

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Dan Stodola's picture

October 11, 2015 at 10:26 pm

The ball can hit the ground and the ball can move. But the defender never lost possession of the ball during the process. IMO it was a clean INT.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 12, 2015 at 07:45 am

See the way I saw it, I thought it hit the ground and it rotated, which when it rotates would mean he lost possession. IMO, I thought it should have been incomplete.
That being said, I can see how they kept it as it was. Sometimes we get to analytical over everything that happens and we just watch and enjoy.

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vj_ostrowski's picture

October 14, 2015 at 07:43 am

Nah. This was the same as Dez Bryant's non-catch. The ball can't hit the ground AND move. It can hit the ground, but as long as the receiver (or DB) has it "in control", it's a catch.

Movement of the ball from the force of hitting the ground does not show control. You never see it called that way either.

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MarkinMadison's picture

October 11, 2015 at 11:26 pm

Felt like #12 was very uncomfortable with pressure on the center of the O-line after Lang went down. Revolving door in there for a little bit too with shuffling Barclay in.

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sheppercheeser's picture

October 12, 2015 at 06:55 am

As the old saying goes, "I'd rather have an ugly win than a pretty loss."

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sheppercheeser's picture

October 12, 2015 at 06:57 am

Sorry Dan S, if the ball moves (as in the interception) that defines a loss of control. Shoulda been overturned and yes, I'm shocked that GB didn't challenge it.

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Evan's picture

October 12, 2015 at 07:50 am

It was a turnover so it was automatically reviewed. And, yes, the ball moved.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 12, 2015 at 07:54 am

A couple of years ago the NFL changed the rules of plays. All TD's and turnovers are automatically reviewed therefore teams can't challenge those plays.
Its one reason why most refs now tend to call either a TD or turnover that way they can review it to confirm the play.

That being said, to me was kind of surprising they didn't call James Jones play a TD then they could have reviewed it to change it.

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murphy's picture

October 12, 2015 at 08:18 am

You're shocked that they didn't challenge an automatically reviewed play?

Edit: I really should hit refresh before replying..

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