I don't care how it was done, or who was in the game, it feels good to get back in the win column. This game saw a lot of the Packers' young players rise to the occasion and make themselves known, and I am here for it. The offense wasn't pretty by any means in this one but they seemed to look a bit better than they did in weeks past. The key to that? Aaron LaRae Jones.

Jones saw 24 total touches in this game which was much better than weeks before. Matt LaFleur's words that Jones looked very good this week must've meant something as it seemed Jones was back on a full snap count and he contributed greatly to this victory. I have to say, despite 5 QB hits and 4 sacks, the offensive line still gave Jordan Love a decent pocket in some situations that helped him get the ball downfield. There were still a few drops in this one, but it seemed that receivers held on to the ball a little more often today with Love finishing 20/26 for 228 yards and a touchdown.

Yes, I know. This may be a different game if Matthew Stafford is at Quarterback for the Rams, but with a depleted secondary for the Packers and the Rams' riches at wide receiver, I still feel this defense did a great job. The one continuous knock on this team though is still penalties. They were killer at times in this game as they have been in the past.

Let's get to the recap:

First Quarter:

The Rams first drive to begin the game started out with a first down on a third down conversion through the air, but they couldn’t achieve a second as a quick toss to wide receiver Ben Skowronek was blown up on third down by Jaire Alexander and the Rams were forced to punt. 

Jordan Love and the Packers offense took over at their own 8-yard line after a holding penalty was called on the punt return. A nine-yard pass on third down to Dontayvion Wicks who had come shallow on a crossing route started off the drive with a first down. Something that’s barely been accomplished early by this offense. We were treated to another Packers first down as a backfield pass to Aaron Jones took the ball nine yards and then AJ Dillon capped it off with the 3rd and inches conversion up the middle for the first down. Several plays later the Packers had attempted and converted a QB sneak on fourth down, but Yosh Nijman would be called for a phantom offsides penalty on the play. Nijman did not move until the ball was snapped as it was shown on the replay. The broadcast stated perhaps they meant Jon Runyan, but regardless, offsides was called and it forced the Packers to punt. The Rams would take over for their second drive of the game at their own 26-yard line with 5:15 remaining in the first quarter.  

The Rams second drive started with a facemask call on Rashan Gary against the Rams Quarterback Brett Rypien that would march them 15 yards forward. Gary would get his revenge on the next play with a sack on Rypien but he would be called again, this time for a neutral zone infraction, unfortunately negating the sack. The Rams after the penalties would easily collect a first down into Packers territory for the first time in the game. The next play though, Brett Rypien fumbled the snap, he recovered but as he scrambled away, Jonathan Owens hit Rypien and forced a fumble that would be recovered by DeVondre Campbell giving the Packers the ball in Rams territory at the 41-yard line. 

The Packers began a march down the field into the red zone after a big run from AJ Dillon took the ball to the 15-yard line. A few plays later the first quarter would come to an end with the Packers knocking on the door 3rd and 3 at the Rams' 8-yard line. 

Second Quarter:

The second quarter would start out with a 5-yard Aaron Jones run up the middle to the Rams’ 3-yard line to make it 1st and Goal. On the following play, Jones would get his first touchdown since week 1 as again he’d take it up the middle, this time to pay-dirt. The Packers would go up 7-0 after the extra point with 14:19 remaining in the half. 

The Rams' third drive of the game saw the Packers' defense really step up to stop the run and Carrington Valentine helped break up a pass on third down to force them to a three-and-out. A big moment for the Packers' defense as the team finally seemed to be playing complimentary football for the first time in a while in the first half. After the following punt sailed out of bounds, the Packers would take over at their own 38-yard line with 12:53 left in the first half. 

The Packers drive would start out with a big end-around to Jayden Reed for 21 yards right into Rams territory. Unfortunately, this would be about as far as it would go as on third down Jordan Love would miss Christian Watson in the end-zone short. Watson had a chance at the ball behind him a bit, but with the defender falling over him he just missed it on his fingertips. The Packers would punt the ball away and the Rams would take over at their own 10-yard line with 11:05 remaining in the half. 

On the following Rams drive Carrington Valentine let his presence be known again breaking up a screen pass to Puca Nacua on second down. A delay of game penalty on third down would push them back further and the Rams would call it conservatively on third down with a run play that would not move the chains and instead result in a three and out. After an exciting 16-yard punt return by Keisean Nixon, the Packers would take over at their own 40 with 9:32 left on the clock of the first half. 

The Packers next drive had three straight runs by Aaron Jones before they hit 4th and inches. Jordan Love lined up for a QB sneak and once again they were called for offside on Jon Runyan. The broadcast absolutely ate it up calling it valid, but I guess I wasn’t seeing what they were. Two seemingly phantom offsides calls on 4th and inches in this game and Matt LaFleur was beside himself. 

The Rams took over after a punt at their own 20-yard line after a holding call pushed them back. They were able to convert for their first first-down since their second drive off a Brett Rypien scramble, but the very next play Karl Brooks and Lukas Van Ness combined for a big run-stop in the backfield for –5 yards. Unfortunately, that play would later be overcome with a 34-yard completion to Cooper Kupp on 3rd down taking the Rams into Packers territory at the 45. Before that play, Kenny Clark would be injured, later carted off the field. A big blow to the Packers defensive line. After this play, the Rams would get a little closer but eventually have to settle for a 52-yard Field Goal. This would put the score at 7-3 with 1:42 remaining in the first half. 

To wind out the first half the Packers would take over with two timeouts to try to perhaps get a score before halftime. A pass interference call on the first play from scrimmage and a quick first down out of bounds to Romeo Doubs would get them moving in the right direction. Jordan Love would take another first down off an 8-yard scramble and the Packers were in Rams territory before the pocket would collapse on Love on second down and he would be sacked by Turner for a loss of 7 back into Packers territory. Love had all kinds of time on that play to get the ball out but nothing was there. The internal clock needs to eventually just throw it away to save the play. Love would hit Doubs on the next play for a 16-yard gain. Originally the ball was called short of the first down marker but was challenged by the booth and ruled a first down. The Packers were in Field Goal range but then an offsides call on Jayden Reed would push them back. The next play though, Love would hit Reed for a 10-yard gain and the offense would spike the ball to stop the clock setting up a 48-yard field goal attempt. Anders Carlson unfortunately would miss the attempt though sending this game to halftime with the Packers up 7-3, receiving the ball after the half. 

Third Quarter:

The Packers would receive great field position to start the second half after a 51-yard kick return by Keisean Nixon. Unfortunately, the first play from scrimmage though, a pass to Dontayvion Wicks was fumbled as he tried to extend the ball for the first down. He seemed to be down at first but since he went untouched by a defender, he was never down, and the fumble was grabbed by a Rams defender giving the Rams the football at their own 49. 

The Rams had a bit of a push into Packers’ territory on the following drive but eventually, the defense caught up with a few big plays including a batted pass by Karl Brooks. An offensive pass interference penalty also pushed the Rams backward where they eventually had to punt. 

The Packers took over at their own 16-yard line with 10:46 remaining in the third quarter. They had two good opening plays on the ground by AJ Dillon achieving the first down but another questionable call for holding this time on Josh Myers pushed them backward again. Myers seemed to have good hand placement on the replay but that doesn't matter as the flag was still thrown. Aaron Jones was able to overcome that penalty on 3rd and 12 with a 13-yard screen catch, but then on the next play, Jones fumbled after a 9-yard gain, and it was recovered by the Rams.  Two straight turnovers by the Packers' offense were keeping this game unnecessarily close.

The Rams would take over at the Packers’ 36-yard line with 8:09 remaining in the third quarter. On the second play there was seemingly a fumble by Rams running back Royce Freeman recovered by the Packers. But a review would show Freeman was down before the ball came out. No such luck on the Packers’ side like it had gone for the Rams. But on the next play Isaiah McDuffie would shoot the gap up the middle and stone Royce Freeman cold on 3rd down forcing the Rams to attempt a 49-yard field goal that would be missed wide-right. The Packers would take over with 6:29 left in the 3rd at their own 39. 

Three passes from Jordan Love to Luke Musgrave and Dontayvion Wicks got the Packers down to the Rams’ 12-yard line very quickly. Highlighted by a deep 25-yard catch for Musgrave, suddenly the receivers were catching whatever hit their hands. Unfortunately, on 3rd down though, Aaron Donald was able to trip up Jordan Love forcing the Packers to settle for an Anders Carlson field goal. The Packers were now up 10-3 with 2:10 remaining in the 3rd quarter. It was disappointing to end that drive that saw such great connections between Love and receivers with a field goal, but points were needed in this one, regardless, we’ll take the 3. 

With the Rams taking over late in the third quarter, the defense nearly had them on a three and out again until Rypien hit Puca Nacua on third down for a big 18-yard gain. The Packers defense held strong after this though, forcing two more incompletions before a short pass took the offense to 4th and 2 from the Packers’ 48-yard line. They lined up to draw the Packers offsides but would be unsuccessful as the clock expired on the third quarter. 

Fourth Quarter:

Kicking off the fourth quarter Colby Wooden would stuff Royce Freeman on 4th and 2 turning the ball over on downs back to the Packers offense from the GB 47-yard line. 

Unfortunately, the Packers' offense would be unable to capitalize as they only went backward. The Rams' defense put a ton of pressure on Jordan Love forcing a desperate backward pass to sail out of bounds on second down and then on 3rd down Love would be harassed by Aaron Donald and just barely get the ball out for an incompletion where the Pack would punt again. The Rams would take over at their own 27-yard line with 13:35 remaining in the game. 

The first play for the Rams would see Lukas Van Ness hurry Brett Rypien forcing the incompletion and on the very next play Jaire Alexander would tip a pass right into the hands of Anthony Johnson Jr for the interception. The Packers would take over at midfield. 

Taking over at midfield the Packers offense took it right into the red zone mostly on the ground down to the Rams' 16-yard where unfortunately the drive would stall. Anders Carlson would come out and make this a 13-3 game with 9:08 remaining. The way the offense moved the ball on this drive it was a little disappointing to have to settle for three in the end, but they made it a two-score game while their defense had been having a great outing up until that point.  

The following Rams drive would again go three and out. Highlighted by pass breakups from Carrington Valentine and a tip on 3rd down by Karl Brooks, the defense got off the field quickly, forcing the punt and giving the ball back to Jordan Love with 8:26 remaining in the game. 

The next drive for the Packers, we saw some ups and downs early but on 3rd and 12 Jordan Love hit Christian Watson deep for 37 yards on an amazing catch for Watson. Watson would be shaken up on the play as he went down awkwardly but a great pass and great catch from Love to Watson. Two plays later Jordan Love hit Luke Musgrave for a 20-yard touchdown. This would be Musgrave’s first career touchdown and would put the Packers up to a commanding 20-3 lead with 3:41 remaining.  

The Rams had a bit of a push in what was almost like garbage time where they moved the ball to the Packers’ 38 through the air but would be stopped on downs after Brett Rypien nearly threw his second interception of the game, this time to Carrington Valentine, but instead it would be a turnover on downs. 

The Packers would take over at their own 38 with 2:32 left in the game. It would become the Emannuel Wilson show for two snaps on the ground before Jordan Love would hit Jayden Reed to make it 4th and short. The Rams were burning down their timeouts hoping to get the ball back but with 1:45 remaining, but on 4th down a Jordan Love sneak to convert finally didn’t contain a penalty, and the Packers converted. With 1:36 left on the clock the Packers still had to run a few plays to wind the clock to avoid giving the ball back to the Rams despite the Rams not having the timeouts to stop the clock. On 2nd down Emannuel Wilson took off for a 31-yard gain to effectively seal this one with the Packers winning 20-3 and moving to a 3-5 record after a few kneel-downs. 

Offensive Player of the Game:

Aaron Jones is taking home these honors this week. With 20 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown, four catches for 26 yards, it was proven again that if you get Aaron Jones going, he will win games for you. Yes, he gave up a fumble that could've been a killer but outside of that I'd consider him the offense's MVP of the game. 

Defensive Player of the Game:

This one had a few candidates for me but it has to be given to Jaire Alexander. The leader of the Packers' secondary was everywhere breaking up passes and also was second on the stat sheet for tackles on the team. His tipped pass the ended up in the hands of Anthony Johnson Jr. for the interception was a crucial moment in the game as well. When the Packers needed Alexander to step up, he did. Hopefully the rest of the secondary can see his example and match it going forward.

What Went Right:

Complimentary football. I've been frustrated up to this point with the defense getting a big stop, but the offense then going three and out. Or the offense scoring and the defense instantly giving up a score in return. Today I saw complimentary football with both sides of the ball capitalizing on each other's victories at times eventually resulting in a win.

Youth stepping up. This team has a plethora of talented rookies. Carrington Valentine was pushed into a big situation as the number 2 corner and he did a great job with three pass breakups and a few big stops as well. Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden stepped up along the defensive line in Kenny Clark's absence with a few big plays, and Luke Musgrave led the team in receiving yards and earned his first career touchdown.

What Went Wrong:

Penalties again. I said in my recap that I disagreed with a bunch of the calls made. The two offsides on Runyan, and the holding call on Myers, but there were still other penalties that hurt in the moment. There weren't as many penalty yards as weeks before but almost the same amount of infractions called. We continue to need to clean that up. 

Jordan Love needs to have a little better ball placement on deep routes. On the first deep pass to Christian Watson it would've been nice to have the ball in his chest at least instead of at his feet. Sure his hands get on it, but you're just putting your receivers in bad situations to have to come up with catches if you throw short.

Next week we have another nice little noon matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Wait sorry, that's Acrisure Stadium. I'll never get used to that. I wonder if Steelers fans view it like Brewers fans view Miller, sorry, American Family Field. The Steelers will be coming off their mini-bye after defeating the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football to move to a 5-3 record. Packer fans will see some familiar faces on the Steelers' defense in former third-round pick, defensive tackle Montravius Adams, as long as the ankle injury he suffered Thursday night doesn't keep him out. They will also see defensive back Chandon Sullivan who suited up in 49 games for the Packers between 2019 & 2021. Despite the 5-3 record, each of the Steelers' wins have been by one-score deficits. We'll see how things fare for the Packers next week and hopefully, we can end week 10 with a nice road win to follow this one at home. Until then, Go Pack Go.