Aaron Rodgers and the Inexperienced Bay Packers aren’t giving up hope they will nonetheless attain the playoffs, whilst they continue to be a number of video games beneath .500.
A.J. Dillon ran for 2 scores, Rodgers threw a landing go to Aaron Jones and the Packers stored their playoff hopes afloat with a 24-12 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night time amid freezing circumstances. The temperature was 15 levels (minus-9 celsius) with a wind chill of seven simply earlier than the opening kickoff.
“We’ve simply been practising just a little bit higher,” Rodgers said. “The power’s been just a little bit higher. It’s exhausting to place your finger on it. We’ve performed a few groups we must always have beat, in order that being stated, it’s nonetheless powerful to win within the league. And I’ve stated it earlier, I believe we are able to beat anyone. We will additionally lose to anyone. However if you win a pair in a row, it begins to offer you some confidence.”
The Packers (6-8) probably should win out and get loads of assist to earn a fourth straight postseason berth. They go to Miami (8-6) on Sunday earlier than internet hosting the Minnesota Vikings (11-3) and Detroit Lions (7-7) of their closing two games.
“We all know that we’re in a one-game season from right here on out, from right here till the top of the 12 months,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur stated.
Dillon put Inexperienced Bay forward for good with a tiebreaking 8-yard landing run within the second quarter and likewise scored from 1 yard out within the third interval. He ran for 36 yards on 11 carries earlier than leaving the sport halfway by way of 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, despite the fact that the four-time MVP acknowledge he’s on the stage of his profession when these late kickoffs aren’t a lot enjoyable. The longest “Monday Night time Soccer” successful streak by any beginning quarterback is owned by Kenny Stabler, who received 11 straight from 1975-80.
“Whenever you’re a younger participant, you dream about taking part in on Monday nights,” stated Rodgers, who turned 39 earlier this month. “Whenever you’re an older participant, you need these midday video games. So, it’s previous my bedtime. I’m able to go dwelling and fall asleep.”
Rodgers’ lone landing go was a 7-yarder to Jones, who rushed for 90 yards and had 4 catches for 36 yards.
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 sport 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.
“This has been an actual wrestle in loads of situations, loads of adversity that we’ve gone by way of,” Rams coach Sean McVay stated. “However I believe what we’ve seen from our guys is that they’re going to proceed to battle. They’re going to complete up these final three video games the suitable means, with the suitable mindset and mentality and we’ll compete to the perfect of our means. That’s all I understand how to do and I belief that that’s precisely what we’ll do collectively as a bunch.”
Mayfield had rallied the Rams to a 17-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 8, lower than 48 hours after they’d claimed him off waivers from Carolina. Mayfield wasn’t as efficient Monday, going 12 of 21 for 111 yards with a landing and interception
His landing was an 8-yarder to Tyler Higbee, the primary landing by a Rams tight finish this season.
Mayfield was sacked 5 instances whereas working behind an offensive line lacking heart Brian Allen, who injured a calf on the sport’s first play from scrimmage. Preston Smith recorded two sacks for Inexperienced Bay.
The Rams additionally received subject objectives of 33 and 55 yards from Matt Homosexual, who additionally despatched an extra-point try large proper. Homosexual’s 55-yarder matched the third-longest subject purpose anybody has ever made at Lambeau Subject.
Mason Crosby had a 34-yard subject purpose for Inexperienced Bay whereas taking part in his 255th consecutive regular-season sport to tie Corridor of Fame quarterback Brett Favre for the longest streak in franchise historical past.
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 sport with a excessive ankle sprain. The Rams additionally had been lacking DT Marquise Copeland (ankle), LB Travin Howard (hip) and DB David Lengthy Jr. (groin).
Packers OT David Bakhtiari missed a second straight sport as he recovers from a appendectomy.