Packers defense aced test it couldn't fail
The Los Angeles Rams were already struggling on offense before Matthew Stafford injured his thumb against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8. Once the severity of the injury became clear, many knew more struggles were on the horizon.That's because the Rams backup quarterback, Brett Rypien, isn't a guy that strikes fear into the heart of […]
The Los Angeles Rams were already struggling on offense before Matthew Stafford injured his thumb against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8. Once the severity of the injury became clear, many knew more struggles were on the horizon.
That's because the Rams backup quarterback, Brett Rypien, isn't a guy that strikes fear into the heart of opposing defenses. Granted, not many backup QBs do, but there are some out there -think Josh Dobbs, Jacoby Brissett, Sam Darnold, etc.- that do require a lot more preparation and attention than others. Rypien just isn't one of them.
So, Stafford's eventual absence, coupled with the Rams missing their best offensive lineman in Rob Havenstein, put the Green Bay Packers defense in a spot where it had to come out and play at a high level in Week 9.
Sure enough, Joe Barry's unit did just that. The defense didn't just pass this test, either – it aced the exam.
For starters, the Packers defense held Rypien and co. to just three total points and the Rams offense never crossed into the red zone. Even Lucas Havrisik's field goal went for 52-yards -meaning, it wasn't an easy attempt. That in itself can carry a day and make any defense look elite.
The defense's biggest issue, run defense, was stellar throughout the entire game. The Rams were held to just 68 yards on 26 carries (2.6 yards per carry), but that figure includes Rypien's three carries for 19 yards. The Packers run defense held the Rams' intended runners to just 47 yards on 25 carries, which actually comes out to an average of 1.9 yards per carry.
Without veteran Rasul Douglas, the Packers secondary held Rams wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua to a combined five receptions for 80 yards. And they were targeted a combined 14 times. Sure, Rypien is a backup quarterback, but there were several good plays made by Jaire Alexander, Carrington Valentine, Anthony Johnson Jr., and Keisean Nixon. I mean, Alexander and Johnson teamed up for one of the game's biggest plays in the fourth quarter when the latter picked off Rypien.
And to cap it all off, the Packers defense recorded a sack, held the Rams to just 5-of-14 on third down, and forced two turnovers.
What's most impressive is they managed to do all this despite little help from the Packers offense. Jordan Love and co. made several mistakes throughout the game and couldn't put many points on the board without the defense's help.
It was the defense that forced the fumble on the Rams' second possession that led to the Packers' first half touchdown. It was the defense that forced the Rams into a long, missed field goal attempt that gave the Love good starting field position that turned into a field goal for the Packers. And, it was Johnson's interception that set the Packers up for another field goal to go up 10 before they officially sealed the deal.
"I thought you have to give it up for guys like Carrington Valentine, who steps in [and] I thought he played as good as he's played, and Jonathan Owens coming in there and making plays," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters after the game. "Anthony Johnson Jr., Jaire [Alexander] looked like the Jaire that we all expect. He was flying around. He was all over the place, making great plays. Obviously he had the one PBU that led to the interception. I thought we played physical. I thought that we did a good job against the run.
There was just a lot of splash plays. Isaiah McDuffie – [it] felt like he was all over the place. Our guys were making plays, they were having fun, and they were competing."
Yes, there's the argument to be made that the Rams aren't a good team on the offensive side of the ball. The counter to that is yes, it's true, but the Packers defense dominated the Rams offense. That's what you're supposed to do to inferior talent, right?
That's what matters most of all. If the Packers defense struggled, it would've really put a damper on the win. That side of the ball took care of business, which keeps some momentum rolling for what I'm sure they're hoping is more wins to come.
