5 stats from PFF to know about Packers’ win over Rams
The stats from Pro Football Focus can help tell the story of the Green Bay Packers’ 32-18 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday.
Important analytics from both the offense and defense showed the dominant nature of the Packers’ 32-18 win over the Rams.
Here are five stats from PFF to know:
Gary's impact
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Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary finished with a team-high seven pressures and the best overall grade on the defense (81.2). He was on the field for just 32 snaps and 22 pass-rushing snaps, highlighting his efficiency and disruptive ability. Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth, one of the best in the business at pass protection, was responsible for five of the pressures and one of the sacks. Gary's overall grades over the last three games: 90.7 (vs. Titans), 90.1 (at Bears) and 81.2 (vs. Rams). He is emerging as a legitimate difference-maker to end his second season.
Surgical from a clean pocket
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Protect Aaron Rodgers in this scheme and good things happen. Once again, the Packers quarterback was surgical from clean pockets. According to PFF, Rodgers was under pressure on just nine of his 37 dropbacks. When playing from a clean pocket, Rodgers completed 21 of 28 passes (with two drops) for 242 yards (8.6 per attempt), two touchdowns, zero interceptions and a passer rating of 124.4. Rodgers led the NFL in touchdown passes and passer rating from clean pockets during the regular season.
Right up the middle
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) reacts after a touchdown runduring an NFL divisional playoff football game between the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
The majority of the Packers' rushing yards came right up the middle using inside zone concepts. Against an ailing Aaron Donald and often facing light boxes, the Packers interior offensive line dominated the contest. According to PFF, the Packers rushed 21 times for 152 yards on runs between the left guard and right guard. The runs resulted in nine first downs and two gains of 10 yards, including Aaron Jones' 60-yard scamper to open the second half. Big credit goes to left guard Elgton Jenkins, center Corey Linsley and right guard Lucas Patrick.
Attacking Jalen Ramsey
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) scores a touchdown as Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) defends during the 2nd quarter of the Green Bay Packers Los Angeles Rams NFC divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
The Packers didn't shy away from going after Jalen Ramsey. In fact, they found great success in certain matchups against the Rams' first-team All-Pro cornerback. According to PFF, Ramsey allowed five catches on five targets for 54 yards into his coverage. The site didn't even include Davante Adams' 1-yard touchdown in the final numbers, likely due to a clear communication error between the Rams secondary on the play. Adams still caught all three of his targets for 27 yards with Ramsey in primary coverage. Overall, Ramsey ended up with his third-lowest overall grade of the 2020 season on Saturday. On the other side, Jaire Alexander gave up just one catch for -3 yards.
Sure tackling
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The Packers were charged with just two missed tackles by PFF; one by Darnell Savage and another by Za'Darius Smith. The two misses were the Packers' fewest in a game all season. Tackling has been an adventure for Mike Pettine's defense in 2020, but the group rallied to the ball and made stops in the open field against the Rams on Saturday. Ten different defenders had a final tackling grade of 70.0 or more. Linebacker Krys Barnes and cornerbacks Kevin King and Chandon Sullivan combined to make 26 tackles without a miss. Overall, Saturday's win was the Packers' highest team tackling grade of the season (79.7).
