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The Green Bay Packers qualified for the NFC title game with an impressive 32-18 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at Lambeau Field.
The beauty of the victory was the combination of expected production from star players and plentiful contributions from role players up and down Matt LaFleur’s squad roster.
Here are the spikes and failures of the Packers’ divisional round victory:
Studs
OLB Rashan Gary: The second-year rusher once again took advantage of his opportunities. Playing just 32 shots, Gary was on a pair of sacks and had a team of seven high presses. His best moment came on a third sack when he beat veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth with speed and power on the inside, then found Jared Goff with the help of Kenny Clark. He plays faster and the physical gifts begin to create a cohesive production. Mike Smith’s precious student is emerging as a legitimate difference maker.
WR Davante Adams: Nine catches for 66 yards aren’t “wow” numbers, but Adams was still impressive. He left Jalen Ramsey grabbing the air on a devastating slope in the first half. He later had a chance to play explosively on a perfectly executed double, but Aaron Rodgers didn’t throw a good ball at him. Matt LaFleur’s brilliant play appeal and Adams’ nifty pre-snap movement created the touchdown.
RG Lucas Patrick: A big worry coming up on Saturday was that the Rams would find ways to isolate world defensive lineman Aaron Donald on Patrick, especially in the passing game. With Donald limited by a rib injury, Patrick had no problem. In fact, he was on the winning side of most of his clashes. The Packers ran inside the zone relentlessly and efficiently. Patrick, Corey Linsley and Elgton Jenkins did all of the heavy lifting. In Aaron Jones’ 60-yard run to start the second half, Patrick’s one-on-one seal block created the lane.
RT Rick Wagner: Dealing with slippery edge rusher Leonard Floyd could have been a significant challenge for Wagner, but he held his own against the old bear and was formidable in the running game. While everyone’s been good up front for the Packers, Pro Football Focus had Wagner as the only offensive lineman to throw a shutout in pass protection. Signing the veteran to replace Bryan Bulaga for a fraction of the price was a stroke of genius from Brian Gutekunst.
OLB Preston Smith: His accelerated production remains inconsistent, but the veteran outside linebacker still finds different ways to influence the game. Twice he raised his hands and deflected a pass down. The first came third in the opening series. He read Goff’s eyes, stepped into the passing lane, and knocked him over, preventing a probable completion. Functionally, breaking the pass was as good as a sack. He hit Goff once, and he helped force a basket by beating a block and removing the line to stop Cam Akers in the 3rd and 2nd half.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling: The Packers can credit him with a drop in the end zone on the first set. It was a tough ball tossed over his head, but it wasn’t a contested catch-up situation and he got his hands on it. Even so, MVS was solid. He took a hard hold away from his body on a return and passed the defenseman for 12 yards on the first practice. The Rams had to respect his speed. He later made a smart adjustment in the scrambling drill, opening late in the middle for a catch on the first shot. His late defensive maneuvers on John Johnson prevented an interception to end the first half. With a typically accurate Aaron Rodgers throw, he would have scored a 92-yard touchdown in the third quarter. He cooked the cornerback with a double move and was in the clearance but Rodgers sailed the ball over his head out of bounds. His most meaningful play came in the fourth quarter when he landed a bubble screen hook and pushed his way past the sticks for an important first down.
RB Jamaal Williams: He ran harder on Saturday than perhaps any other competition in his NFL career. When he moves downhill and lowers his shoulder, the stack will move. Six of his 12 points won first downs, and he gained 44 yards after contact, by PFF. Three of his points converted the third tries.
LB Krys Barnes: Coaches probably won’t appreciate Akers carrying him five yards into the end zone on the Wildcat race. They’ll probably enjoy just about everything else. Playing with a cast to protect an injured hand, Barnes didn’t miss a tackle in 10 attempts and was active all over the court. Late in the game, he took a terrific break on an outdoor course and likely would have knocked out Goff with two healthy hands. He can be handled as a covering midfield defender, but his game seems to keep improving.
Nippes
LS Hunter Bradley: Two of his pictures weren’t even close. The first, which he shot three feet inside, resulted in the failed extra point attempt. Later, he nearly jumped a grass clack on a punt. JK Scott did well to even catch the two shots. Bradley has been far too inconsistent in 2020.
RB AJ Dillon: The fumble could have been a defining moment. The exchange between the rookie and Rodgers was not clean. It didn’t cost the Packers, but it’s the kind of game that will allow LaFleur to challenge Dillon’s late-game clichés.
CB Kevin King: He tackled well, perhaps at the highest level of the season. But the Rams still found five finishes and three different first downs against his cover. Robert Woods beat him twice for the first downs, and rookie Van Jefferson caught his three targets with King on cover. The teams barely pitch on Jaire Alexander, so King is going to get tested. Quarterbacks always find it too easy to find chain completions under King’s cover.
DL Damon Harrison: The Packers had him on the field for just three games. He was washed out of the three, so Dean Lowry and Tyler Lancaster had a lot of the work for the rest of the time. The Packers might have been uncomfortable having Harrison on the court against the Rams’ up-tempo look.
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