The Green Bay Packers took care of business at home on Saturday afternoon in a dominant performance on both sides of the ball. Rodgers and the offence moved the ball with ease against the league’s number one best defence. At the same time, the Packers’ defence quieted the Rams offence and shut down Jared Goff.
The Rams started with the ball after the Packers deferred to the second half. It was a short three and out for the Rams, only lasting a minute and half. The packers immediately capitalized on their first drive driving down inside the Rams 10-yard line. Despite being in the red zone, the Packers weren’t able to capitalize and settled for three points after a solid goal-line stand by the Rams defence. The Rams then responded back with a Matt Gay 37-yard field goal, after driving down the field and being stopped by the Packers’ defence.
The second quarter is when things started to open up, as the Packers were able to find the endzone twice. First on a one-yard quick strike from Rodgers to Davante Adams. After running back and forth making Ramsey chase him, Adams was able to find some open space in the endzone. Then later after the Rams failed to score any points on their next drive. Rodgers and the Packers offence made their way down the field and capped it off with a Rodgers one-yard touchdown run. On the play, he pump-faked making the defender jump for joy and made his way into the endzone.
The Rams answered back three minutes later with a short four-yard pass from Goff to Van Jefferson cutting the deficit to six points. However, there was still 29 seconds left on the clock and the Packers had two timeouts. Rodgers ran the two-minute drill to perfection and Mason Crosby knocked through a 39-yard field goal with four seconds left in the half, expanding the lead to nine points.
The Packers offence continued to be a problem for the Rams defence. As Aaron Jones could not be contained and helped the packers expand their lead with a one-yard rushing touchdown. The Packers for some reason decided to go for two which ended up failing. Jones finished the game with 99 yards on 14 carries, averaging seven yards per carry and one touchdown. The Rams two drives later put some more points on the board putting together an 11 play 74-yard drive capped off with a Cam Akers seven-yard rushing touchdown. The Rams converted a two-point conversion to once again cut the lead to seven points.
However, with just under seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Rodgers was able to find Allen Lazard wide open down the field for a 58-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead. The score ultimately iced the game, and the Packers were able to secure the victory and advance to their second straight NFC Championship game.
Rodgers finished with 236 passing yards completing 23 of his 36 pass attempts, two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. As for Goff he didn’t have a terrible game, but it was wasn’t enough. Goff finished with 174 yards completing 21 of his 27 pass attempts and one passing touchdown.
A big reason why the Packers won the game was that they were the more efficient offence. They had 28 first downs and went eight for 12 on third down conversions. As well, they out rushed and out passed the Rams finishing the game with 484 yards compared to the Rams 244 total yards of offence.
After Saturday’s dominating performance vs. the Rams, any team that faces the Packers will have a tough time trying to slow down Aaron Rodgers and the offence.