The Rams came into Lambeau Field looking to play spoiler in Baker Mayfield's first official start as Los Angeles' quarterback. And for at least a half, it looked like they might, even though Mayfield struggled to move the ball out of the gate. After his own sluggish start in the red zone, however, Aaron Rodgers found a groove leaning on the Aaron Jones-AJ Dillon backfield combo, and the Packers cruised to a 24-12 prime-time victory, staying alive in the NFC wild-card race in the process.
Matt LaFleur's offense wasn't necessarily fully back on track in front of the home crowd. Rodgers threw an ugly deep-ball pick to Taylor Rapp, and Jones lost a fumble in the second half that could've rejuvenated the Rams' chances. But A-Rod also showcased some signature zip while feeding rookie receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs down the stretch. And both Jones and Dillon found success close to the end zone, combining for more than 120 rushing yards and three total scores in the win.
Here are some additional takeaways from Monday's Packers win:
Why the Packers won
Matt LaFleur's side of the ball finally found some balance. In truth, his unit has quietly been on an upward trajectory for weeks. But after a rough start that included Aaron Rodgers' pick and a third-and-goal sack that required them to settle for three, they struck a rhythm. Dillon was the bruiser, excelling especially in the red zone, while Jones had several open-space gallops to extend drives and, ultimately, seal the deal with a late-third-quarter TD catch. Rodgers, meanwhile, fired a lot of pretty over-the-middle strikes in cold weather to keep the Rams on their toes. The defense stepped up when it needed to, limiting the Rams to 13 first downs and 3.6 yards per play, and intercepting Mayfield late to put a bow on the "W."
Why the Rams lost
The battered and bruised offense failed to deliver once more. Baker Mayfield showed fight working with a makeshift supporting cast, but the accuracy and deep-ball touch that underscored his heroic Rams debut was mostly missing this time out, as the ex-Browns and Panthers starter flirted with a couple pick-sixes and ended up completing only half his throws. It didn't help that no one got separation out wide, with Cam Akers "headlining" the pass catchers deep into the fourth. The vaunted defense, meanwhile, fell victim to a handful of big plays despite a strong early showing. Still missing Aaron Donald, the front got to Rodgers a few times but allowed big lanes for Aaron Jones and couldn't prevent quick strikes to Doubs and Watson in the second half.
Turning point
After Matt Gay hit a 55-yard field goal, the Rams entered halftime down just four points. But then came the Packers' first drive of the second half: a 11-play whopper that got early momentum from a defensive holding penalty on L.A., featured back-to-back first-down bullets to Watson and Doubs, and closed with a powerful three-yard TD run from AJ Dillon. Up 17-6 after the score, Green Bay never looked back, maintaining a comfortable lead with time and the weather on their side.
Play of the game
Give it to AJ Dillon, whose first TD broke an early 3-3 tie and set the tone for smashmouth cold-weather football:
What's next
The Packers (6-8) will travel to Miami for a Christmas Day showdown with the Dolphins (8-6), who fell to the Bills in Week 15 and have their own playoff-related reasons to show up. The Rams (4-10), meanwhile, are now eliminated from playoff contention officially. They will also play on Christmas, hosting the Broncos (4-10), who beat the Cardinals Sunday and are set to have Russell Wilson back under center.