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Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams recap: Everything we know

Zach Kruse
·5 min read

The Green Bay Packers advanced to the NFC Championship Game with a 32-18 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at Lambeau Field.

Presumptive MVP Aaron Rodgers produced three touchdowns, the Packers ran for nearly 200 yards and the defense had four sacks and allowed only three scoring drives.

Here’s a full recap of the Packers’ 32-18 win over the Rams:

Final score: Packers 32, Rams 18

AP Photo/Matt Ludtke

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

FINAL

RAMS

3

7

8

0

18

PACKERS

3

16

6

7

32

It was over when...

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary (52) celebrates sacking Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) in the third quarter during their NFL divisional playoff game Saturday, January 16, 2021, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.

Rashan Gary sacked Jared Goff on 4th-and-13 with five minutes left and the Packers up 14 points. Allen Lazard's 58-yard touchdown pass gave the Packers a 32-18 lead on the previous drive. After getting the ball back, the Packers ran out the remaining clock.

Keys to the game

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates after scrambling for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams during their divisional playoff game on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.

– The Packers dominated the line of scrimmage, rushing for 191 total yards and not allowing a sack. – The offense was terrific once again situationally, converting eight third downs and scoring touchdowns on three of their first four trips inside the 20-yard line. – The Packers started fast and never trailed. The offense scored on its first five possessions, and the defense got a three-and-out to start the game and delivered two important late stops. – The Rams failed to produce a spark or game-changing play on defense. The Packers didn't have a turnover. – Big plays were huge. Equanimeous St. Brown caught a 27-yard pass to set up a touchdown, Robert Tonyan caught a 33-yard pass to set up a field goal, Aaron Jones had a 60-yard run to set up a touchdown, and Allen Lazard clinched the game with a 58-yard touchdown. – The Packers' pass-rush made plays. Twice, Jared Goff was sacked on third down or fourth down. Two other times, Goff took second-down sacks and the Rams eventually punted.

Game balls

  • Packers offensive line: The team's three running backs rushed for 191 total yards, and Aaron Rodgers wasn't sacked. Aaron Donald and the Rams' front hardly impacted the game.

  • Rashan Gary: The Packers' second-year edge rusher beat left tackle Andrew Whitworth for sacks on third down and fourth down.

  • Aaron Rodgers: His accuracy wasn't perfect all game, but he still produced three touchdowns and threw for 296 passing yards against the league's No. 1 defense.

Play of the game

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1350597619962134529? The dagger play. And redemption for Allen Lazard, who dropped a likely touchdown in the third quarter. The Packers dialed up a similar play in a big spot in the fourth quarter, and it went for a 58-yard touchdown. The play-action fake helped Lazard get behind the defense, and Rodgers found him deep for the touchdown. The score gave the Packers a 14-point lead with just under seven minutes left.

Stats to know

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) acknowledges the fans as he runs off the field after Packers 28-18 win over the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.

– The Packers scored 32 points and produced 484 total yards against the NFL's No. 1 ranked defense in points and yards allowed. – The Rams were 2-for-9 on third down and fourth down. The Packers were 8-for-12 on third down. – The Packers improved to 11-0 without a turnover in 2020. – The Packers ran 72 plays (compared to 50 for the Rams) and held the ball for over 36 minutes. – Allen Lazard and Robert Tonyan, two key complimentary weapons, combined for eight catches, 156 yards and a touchdown. – Aaron Jones produced 113 total yards on just 15 touches. – Aaron Donald finished with one tackle. No sacks, no quarterback hits.

Tidbits

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Packers and Rams played in front of 8,456 fans at Lambeau Field...Aaron Rodgers' touchdown run was his first in the postseason since the NFC Championship Game in Chicago during the 2010 season...rookie running back A.J. Dillon exited the game with a quad injury...Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald drew a 15-yard penalty after grabbing the facemask of Packers guard Elgton Jenkins following a play in the first half...Cornerback Jaire Alexander gave up just one catch against his coverage, per Next Gen Stats...The Packers ran 72 plays; 36 passing attempts, 36 rushing attempts...Asked who could stop the Packers offense after the No. 1 defense failed, receiver Davante Adams answered, "Nobody."

What's next

AP Photo/Mike Roemer

The Packers will host the NFC Championship Game at Lambeau Field next Sunday against either the New Orleans Saints or Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Packers beat the Saints in New Orleans in Week 3 but lost to the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay in Week 6. Aaron Rodgers has previously never been the starting quarterback of an NFC Championship Game at Lambeau Field.