Gut Reactions: Packers do enough to beat Rams

Aaron gives his gut reactions to the Packers Monday night win over the Rams. 

  • Kenny Clark should play every game like its freezing out because he's just a monster every December. 
  • Zach Tom held it down really well at left tackle. 
  • Aaron Rodgers not being on the same page as Lazard on the interception or the same page as Watson on the final 3rd down right after the signals article came out is just the football gods laughing at us. 
  • Rough game for Rasul. 
  • Really hope AJ is ok. 
  • I just don't understand the Packers mentality when it comes to third down defense. 
  • Jalen Ramsey needing to hold and trip Watson to stop him defiantly tracks. 
  • Absolutely loved what we saw from Romeo Doubs. 
  • Don't discount what they got from Devonte Wyatt tonight. Probably his best game of the year. 
  • Speaking of defensive rookies, both Enegbare and Walker were all over the place. Lots of potential there. 
  • Can't wait to spend Christmas watching this Packers team with all of you. 
  • Seriously. 
  • Go Pack. 

 

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8 points
 

Comments (35)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Coldworld's picture

December 19, 2022 at 10:40 pm

The rookies look better than the older players. Play more of them more often. Talent that is raw is still better than limited or old but experienced. Give snaps and reward players that perform when given them.

9 points
10
1
bjkdad44's picture

December 20, 2022 at 03:12 am

Couldn’t agree more!

1 points
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relleum61's picture

December 19, 2022 at 10:44 pm

Watson...no first half touches...the offense looked a lot better in the second half when Watson started getting the ball.

7 points
8
1
Since'61's picture

December 19, 2022 at 10:46 pm

A good solid win for the Packers. Granted it was against the Rams but still a good win. The game became sloppy at the end of the third and into the 4th quarter but the Packers offense took over the game for the final nearly nine minutes of the game and closed it out. That was good to see. Rodgers survives to play another game this season at least.

Doubs looked great in his return. Combined with Watson, a good TE if drafted or acquired, plus our ground game the Packers offense can be very effective regardless of who the QB is in 2023 and beyond.

Except for the Rams TD drive in the 3rd the Packers defense played solidly for the rest of the game.

The Packers doubled up the Rams on 1st downs 27 to 13 and had 15 minutes more TOP than the Rams 37+ minutes to 22+ for the Rams.

Can the Packers keep it going in Miami on Sunday? We'll see. Thanks, Since '61

6 points
6
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johngalt's picture

December 19, 2022 at 10:46 pm

That Rodgers pic was the ugliest pass of his career. My God did he look every bit of his age tonight. Run. The. Ball

-6 points
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12
Rob3980's picture

December 19, 2022 at 11:50 pm

Not true, the pass to Bahk in Detroit was horrible

10 points
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Oppy's picture

December 19, 2022 at 11:58 pm

You have a very short memory

6 points
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GregC's picture

December 20, 2022 at 05:46 am

It looked bad at first, but it was a miscommunication, not an inaccurately thrown ball. Unfortunately, he's had boatloads of passes this season that were way worse than that one.

6 points
7
1
Oppy's picture

December 20, 2022 at 04:43 pm

That's not just a miscommunication, that was a dangerous ball.

0 points
0
0
Packer_Fan's picture

December 19, 2022 at 10:48 pm

The offense is rounding into shape. Finally.
Rodgers was trying to get Watson a touchdown at the end of the game.
I just can't figure out the defense. On a third and four, letting the receiver get to the first down line without anyone covering him is crazy. Yet they do it all the time.
The touchdown pass that the Rams had was the worst zone coverage. Douglas let the receiver come to him when he was in zone coverage. He backed into the end zone and let the receiver make his cut without closing on the receiver. Who teaches that??
Nixon is a good returner. Finally!!
The one running play where Walker shot the gap and tackled the runner behind the line of scrimmage. Why doesn't that happen more often.
Barry should be fired. Period. We will never win with him leading the defense.

15 points
18
3
Tundraboy's picture

December 19, 2022 at 11:56 pm

"He backed into the end zone and let the receiver make his cut without closing on the receiver. Who teaches that??"

Exactly. There are things with this team, that they repeat over and over to the point it is now their DNA , God knows they have years of practice. So frustrating.

And yet another game with my personal favorite, giving up a HUGE pass play after holding them , or almost forcing a 4th down. Just when you think the defense is showing up.......

At least we have a Christmas game to enjoy.

8 points
8
0
jannes bjornson's picture

December 20, 2022 at 10:21 am

Move the repeat offenders out the door.

2 points
2
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bjkdad44's picture

December 20, 2022 at 03:14 am

Agree with your excellent comments!

0 points
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GregC's picture

December 20, 2022 at 06:18 am

Drives me nuts too, but when I watch other NFL games, I see the same thing, over and over. And the Packers only allowed one TD, so the defense must have been doing something right.

1 points
2
1
Ritzy's picture

December 19, 2022 at 11:06 pm

The play of the night was Watson clearing the way for Jones' Td catch. Take a look at it closely and see what I mean. Watson and Doubs give this team hope for the future. A good solid win overall.

15 points
15
0
TarynsEyes's picture

December 19, 2022 at 11:07 pm

'A win is a win'.

In that thinking lies the reason for failure when a win isn't a win but leaves you with a loss.

This game tonight offered a good look at what can be, but it needs to be seen versus a quality team, which the Rams without so many starters did not offer in the least.

The youth of this team offers hope for a better future, the problem is they still need to show the same against quality teams. A consistent play next week will be paramount, while the following two remaining will demand even more.

I take this win with a grain of salt, but the glass half full of water after tonight, I fear will be salt water next week, and used to goggle away the last of this season's bitter taste left behind.

They do have pieces to rebuild with, so perhaps it won't be as long or hard as originally thought.

.

9 points
9
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Tundraboy's picture

December 20, 2022 at 12:00 am

We do have a Christmas game to look forward to and possibly enjoy!

And New Years day , Hangover and the Vikings..

Lots of entertainment.

2 points
2
0
Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

December 19, 2022 at 11:07 pm

Finally had a good kick return WITHOUT A PENALTY!!!???!!!

Highs of 59 on Sunday in Miami. It will be like playing in Lambeau. Hope frozen Tundra guy makes it down there. No weather advantage for the fish.

10 points
10
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Swisch's picture

December 19, 2022 at 11:14 pm

Enjoyed the good mix of run and pass in this game by the offense.
Fun to watch Watson and Doubs make plays with Rodgers.
***
Still rooting for Rodgers to turn around his attitude to being more coachable and teammate friendly.
If he wants his receivers to be more responsive to him, then it seems he has to be a better example in being more responsive to his head coach.
Trust works both ways. Rodgers has to give to his coaches and teammates in order to get.
If Rodgers would only do this, he could make life a lot easier and more satisfying for all around him, as well as himself.
It would be wonderful to see a more humble and agreeable Rodgers finish his career with the Packers -- whenever that might be -- on a positive run.
***
My hunch is that his young teammates want to rally behind Rodgers if he opens himself more to them.
Here's hoping in general that he displays better signals, less complicated and more effective.

-6 points
7
13
WestCoastPackerBacker's picture

December 20, 2022 at 11:05 am

Did you watch Manning and see Brady at the end of their careers? They, like Rodgers, probably know more football than their head coaches ever will. It's ridiculous to suggest otherwise. Brady practically admitted last week that he does the game plan. I mean, this is another tired media made-up storyline, along with his ability to get along with his team mates. Other than Greg Jennings, all the WRs seemed to get along just fine with Rodgers and he made them multi-millionaires. Nobody who left for another team did much elsewhere, so having his high standards works in Green Bay's favor. He doesn't want to turn the ball over (like last night), so he needs them to be on the same page. That's just playing good football. If you call that an attitude, then everyone on the team needs that attitude. Holding each other and yourself to high standards is what it takes. Rodgers does not shy away from taking the blame and he doesn't throw guys under the bus. He generally speaks very well of his team mates.

1 points
2
1
stockholder's picture

December 19, 2022 at 11:18 pm

I was impressed. We’re still in it. And this team is getting with it. The cold shows one thing. Who is slow. And who isn't.
Amos is slowing Down. Lazard stops running? Whats with that from vets. who want $$$$. Over-All the OL has improved.
I say that final throw/miss to Watson was a blessing in disguise. He never looked. But the rams covered it well.
Loved the calls to run the ball for first Downs. And if there is another Walker in this coming draft. Draft him. Love the speed.
Kenny Clark must have needed the time off. He looked like his old self.
Miami is the next step! Hope they can keep it going!

3 points
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3
MooPack's picture

December 20, 2022 at 04:57 am

"I say that final throw/miss to Watson was a blessing in disguise. He never looked."

If he never looked, and I don't think he did, then why did Rodgers throw to him? Rodgers had to see that he didn't look. Rodgers was looking that way. Why throw it to him? Does he expect the WR's to not only know the 30+ hand signals, but also be clairvoyant?

-6 points
1
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stockholder's picture

December 20, 2022 at 05:44 am

My thinking is : 1. Watson missed the sign. Lesson Learned.
But the shot: was for Watson to get another game straight TD. ( Probable Audible. )
2. Time on the clock. Pin them deep. (possible?)
The run for the first down sealed it.

4 points
5
1
MooPack's picture

December 20, 2022 at 08:03 am

But the question is did he look or didn't he? Maybe someone can review it. If he looked, it's on Watson alone. If he didn't look and Rodgers threw it anyway, well Rodgers has to take some blame on that. I'm talking about the hand signal, not the pass. Watson takes blame on either.

-1 points
0
1
Coldworld's picture

December 20, 2022 at 09:42 am

No, never even hinted at turning.

0 points
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MooPack's picture

December 20, 2022 at 10:06 am

I assume you mean the hand signal? I hope I'm not confusing the look for the hand signal and the look for the pass. We all saw he didn't look for the pass.

My question is, if Watson didn't look to Rodgers for the hand signal, and Rodgers saw that Watson didn't look for the hand signal, a signal I also assume changed the route somehow, why would Rodgers throw the ball to him knowing he probably missed the adjustment?

The announcers seemed to make a point of Watson not looking for it. I don't absolve Watson.

0 points
0
0
jannes bjornson's picture

December 20, 2022 at 10:41 am

Watson has to be focused for the preliminary read. Rodgers gave the swipe off the right thigh signal, the greenhorn wasn't tuned in. Lesson learned, he would have scored. Rodgers did look right, signaled, then moved his eyes left. Like a no-look pass.

2 points
2
0
PatrickGB's picture

December 20, 2022 at 09:47 am

I watched the replay. He did not look. He may not have seen the signal so didn’t bother to look.

0 points
0
0
Leatherhead's picture

December 19, 2022 at 11:19 pm

You don’t understand our mentality on defense on 3rd down? We’ll, we’re one of the best in the league in 3rd down conversion rate , so it would appear that you don’t understand why it works. These third and long conversions are infuriating, but if you play the percentages it obviously results in fewer conversions. We angst a lot over an average defense, and don’t seem to recognize the things that we’re good at. . Like stopping people on third down.

The Rams got 13 first downs, less than 200 yards offense, and 12 points. They were 4-11 in 3rd down conversions , 36%, which is about our average.

-3 points
4
7
jhtobias's picture

December 19, 2022 at 11:22 pm

Not even mad a Joe Berry anymore he is the worst defensive coordinator bar none in the last 20 years of nfl football .

I was really young when the 1980's were here but my dad always told me you want to know why the coaching staff is a bunch of losers because their bosses don't care and have their own agenda .

My teenage daughter who loves the packers asked me 2 things tonight during the game why Nixon hadn't been returning punts and kickoffs all year, and how come they always play ten yards off the receivers on 3rs and 9 this from a fifteen year old girl

Well , I tell you what grandpa told me along time ago amari was a draft pick and by losing him his boss gute looks stupid and that guy pretending to be a defensive coordinator is not one but his boss the good looking head coach as she says lol can't lose any of his power . Remember just because some is in a position of power doesn't make them very bright just that they have friends in high places

6 points
9
3
Swisch's picture

December 19, 2022 at 11:44 pm

jhtobias, if you have a 15-year-old daughter who watches the Packers with you and even makes good observations, then you must be doing something right as a parent.
A glimmer of hope for the future of America!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.

10 points
10
0
dobber's picture

December 20, 2022 at 07:55 am

A lot of changes coming on this team in the off-season (most out of necessity), but a decent win. Would've liked to have seen a little more consistency out of the offense. They should've put 30+ on this Rams team, but--baby steps.

Good to see Doubs back on the field. Except for the ugly INT, the passing game looked coherent. AJones is a winner. They'll need to find a way to keep him (which shouldn't be hard). How many concussions for Dillon, now? Happy with the OL play.

That said, Miami will hang 35+ on this defense next week. Offense needs to find a way to score with a quality team on the road.

1 points
3
2
Since'61's picture

December 20, 2022 at 08:36 am

It could be a shootout in Miami Dobber. The Fish have allowed 344 points which is 44 more points than the Packers defense through 14 games.

At least it is not expected to be hot and humid in Miami this Sunday. That could keep the Packers going later in the game rather than wilting as they usually do in Florida games. Thanks, Since '61

1 points
1
0
jannes bjornson's picture

December 20, 2022 at 11:15 am

Come out pegging the rock and don't look back. No need to talk about a running game. Get the three rookies going vertical.

1 points
1
0
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

December 20, 2022 at 08:46 am

The game outcome was as expected. The only real enjoyment for me was seeing how good quite a few young players looked. The Packers really do have some excellent young players on the team. With a few good offseason decisions & several good draft choices this team could rebound quicker than most anticipated.

I will also add....I just love how Aaron Jones and Nixon run. No hesitation and take it straight up field.

6 points
6
0