Packers take down shorthanded Rams to maintain playoff hopes alive
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GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — A.J. Dillon ran for 2 scores, Aaron Rodgers threw a landing go to Aaron Jones and the Inexperienced Bay Packers saved their playoff hopes afloat with a 24-12 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday evening.
Dillon put Inexperienced Bay (6-8) forward for good with a tiebreaking 8-yard landing run within the second quarter and in addition scored from 1 yard out within the third interval. He ran for 36 yards on 11 carries earlier than leaving the sport halfway via the second half to be evaluated for a concussion.
Rodgers went 22 of 30 for 229 yards with a landing and interception to win his ninth straight “Monday Night time Soccer” begin. The longest “Monday Night time Soccer” successful streak by any beginning quarterback is owned by Kenny Stabler, who received 11 straight from 1975-80.
The four-time MVP’s lone landing go was a 7-yarder to Jones, who rushed for 90 yards and had 4 catches for 36 yards.
Rodgers’ newest Monday evening victory got here in freezing situations. The temperature was 15 levels (minus-9 celsius) with a wind chill of seven simply earlier than the opening kickoff.
The Rams (4-10) have matched the best loss whole by any defending Tremendous Bowl champion. When John Elway retired after main Denver to consecutive Tremendous Bowl titles within the 1997 and 1998 seasons, the Broncos completed 6-10 in 1999.
Los Angeles performed this recreation with out a number of notable injured gamers, together with three-time defensive participant of the 12 months Aaron Donald and All-Professional receiver Cooper Kupp. Quarterback Baker Mayfield made his first Rams begin with accidents sidelining Matthew Stafford and John Wolford.
Mayfield had rallied the Rams to a 17-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 8, lower than 48 hours after that they had claimed him off waivers from Carolina. Mayfield wasn’t as efficient Monday, going 12 of 21 for 111 yards with a landing and interception.
He was sacked 5 instances whereas working behind an offensive line lacking middle Brian Allen, who injured an ankle on the sport’s first play from scrimmage. Preston Smith recorded two sacks for Inexperienced Bay.
The Rams additionally Received area targets of 33 and 55 yards from Matt Homosexual, who additionally despatched an extra-point try huge proper. Homosexual’s 55-yarder matched the third-longest area aim anybody has ever made at Lambeau Area.
Mason Crosby had a 34-yard area aim for Inexperienced Bay whereas enjoying his 255th consecutive regular-season recreation to tie Corridor of Fame quarterback Brett Favre for the longest streak in franchise historical past.
After Homosexual and Crosby traded area targets early within the recreation, Inexperienced Bay pulled forward thanks primarily to Dillon, the 6-foot, 247-pound working again whose bruising fashion thrives in such a climate.
Dealing with fourth-and-3 from the 17, the Packers handed up a field-goal try and as an alternative handed the ball to Dillon, who ran for 4 yards. Dillon then put Inexperienced Bay forward for good with an 8-yard landing run through which he pushed Rams defenders backward for the final yard or so.
The Packers led 10-6 at halftime and broke the sport open by scoring touchdowns on their first two drives of the second half. Rodgers’ 7-yard landing go to Jones put the Packers forward 24-6.
Los Angeles minimize the result in 24-12 on Mayfield’s 8-yard completion to Tyler Higbee, the primary landing catch by a Rams tight finish this season.
INJURIES
Together with the Dillon and Allen accidents, Rams LB Jake Gervase injured an ankle late within the first half.
Rams DT and three-time defensive participant of the 12 months Aaron Donald missed a 3rd straight recreation with a excessive ankle sprain. The Rams additionally have been lacking DT Marquise Copeland (ankle), LB Travin Howard (hip) and DB David Lengthy Jr. (groin).
Packers OT David Bakhtiari missed a second straight recreation as he recovers from an appendectomy.
UP NEXT
Rams: Host Denver on Sunday.
Packers: At Miami on Sunday.
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