The Green Bay Packers are returning to the NFC championship game for the second consecutive year after a decisive 32-18 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
In a matchup between the league’s highest-graded passing offense and coverage defense, the Packers found success bludgeoning the Rams on the ground.
Editor's note: All of PFF's grades and advanced stats from this game will be finalized and made available to ELITE subscribers within 24 hours of the final whistle.
Story of the Game
The Packers utilized a committee of Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon and Jamaal Williams, and the trio carved up the Rams’ front seven to the tune of 188 yards rushing.
Aaron Rodgers turned in an extremely efficient performance, finishing 23-of-36 for 296 yards and three total TDs. He benefitted tremendously from the Packers' groove in the run game and torched the Rams’ secondary when given chances to throw deep off of play-action. The Packers’ QB averaged 15.0 yards per attempt in those circumstances.
Davante Adams versus Jalen Ramsey generated plenty of fanfare but failed to live up to the hype. Ramsey lined up across Adams just three times, surrendering 27 yards to Rodgers’ best weapon.
Kudos to Matt LaFleur, who found a weak link among the Rams secondary in Troy Hill. He may be PFF’s second highest-graded slot corner, but the Packers went after him early and often in this game. Hill surrendered the most yards in coverage of any defender (96), and a majority of those yards came lined up out wide.
The Rams offense struggled to find a rhythm at any point in the game, especially Jared Goff. The fifth-year pro completed 21 of 27 passes for 174 yards and a TD working without Cooper Kupp. He is also just a few weeks removed from surgery on his throwing hand.
Rookie Watch
With Kupp declared inactive during pregame warmups, Van Jefferson stepped up and appeared on the field for 43 snaps. The ex-Florida WR caught all six of his targets for 46 yards, including three plays that went for first downs.
For the Packers, Dillon played just nine snaps but carried the ball six times for 27 yards. Undrafted linebacker Krys Barnes played 45 of the Packers’ 50 total snaps on defense despite dealing with a thumb injury.
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