Some media members called his injury covid toe. Whatever that means is still a mystery. Nonetheless, on Green Bay’s 2nd drive of the game yesterday, Aaron Rodgers, with his fractured pinky toe, on a 3rd and goal from the 1 yd line, faked a handoff to A.J. Dillon and rolled right, then pump-faked (to nobody), Rams’ CB Jalen Ramsey went for the fake, and Rodgers sprinted into the end zone. It isn’t normal for a team to roll out its QB when there are no other options to run or pass, especially when the QB has a fractured toe. But, It’s fair to say that Aaron Rodgers is not a normal QB, “I moved to my right and realized it was me and Jalen, thankfully he went for the pump fake, and I was able to get around the edge,” Rodgers said of the unusual play that gave Green Bay the lead, a lead they didn’t relinquish. “The toe felt good most of the game…we’re gonna do some more testing and then make a decision at that time [this week],” Rodgers said addressing his fractured toe in his post-game presser.”
The Packers’ first score of the game was set-up by the defense as Packers’ LB Rashan Gary forced a Matt Stafford fumble which was recovered by LB Preston Smith at the Lions’ 6-yard line, “I think it [the win] is a credit to everybody in this building for taking that same mentality and I can’t say enough about guys just coming together, playing for one another, embracing roles…our guys are truly selfless. I’m really proud of our guys,” said Packers’ Head Coach Matt LaFleur after the game of his team, and its approach so far in 2021.
The win was the 9th of the season for the Packers, who sit atop the NFC North and enter a much-needed NFL bye week. The first 12 games have been devastating to Green Bay who has suffered injuries at every position on both sides of the ball. With the extra bye week of rest, the Pack has the realistic prospect that all-pro players, like OG David Bakhtiari and CB Jaire Alexander, make a return for the stretch run to close out the season.
The Facts:
Rams Packers
Turnovers: 3/1
Sacks: 1/0 vs 2/17
3rd&4th DN: 4/14 vs 9/21
Rushing: 20/68 vs 32/92
Passing: 21/38 for 302 vs 28/45 for 307
Penalties: 4/30 vs 3/32
The Feelings:
Happy celebration! After a home win, what else would Packers’ fans be feeling? The win against a certain NFC playoff Rams squad makes the happiness happier as it raises expectations for the Pack and fans.
While it may seem like the Packers have had 100 games worth of drama this season, with everything (and by everything I mean almost all possible things) happening to, by, and because of QB Aaron Rodgers, the Pack enter the bye week in pretty good shape comparatively with other playoff-bound NFC teams. And, so Packers’ fans will be feeling pretty good about the season thus far. Looking at the schedule before the season started it seemed entirely possible that Green Bay would be 6-6 after 12 games and, so again, 9-3 is pretty good.
The D just keeps hanging on!
The Rodgers drama and all the injuries aside, a big plus this season has been D Coordinator Joe Barry’s defense. The Packers will enter the final 7 game stretch with a top 10 NFL defense, one which has unexpected players emerging as stars. Case in point, CB Rasul Douglass, former Arizona practice squad player, had another interception Sunday. De’Vondre Campbell, another standout for the defense, is among the highest-rated LBs in the NFL this season. Campbell is exemplary of the Packers’ next-man-up mentality, the Packers signed Campbell, in part, following a pre-season injury to all-pro OLB Za’Darius Smith.
For a Packers organization that has struggled in NFC Championship games during Rodgers’ hall of fame career, having a solid D is obviously great news that will have Packers fans feeling warm and fuzzy about the team headed into the holiday-season stretch. “I thought our defense..against one of the premier offenses in this league…really did everything we could ever ask from them,” said LaFleur of Barry’s surging defense and its efforts of late.
Relax – for at least a week…
Packers fans surely feel the need for a week of rest after a tumultuous 12-week start to the season. So, Pack fans, like their beloved green and gold, can take the week off, relax, catch their collective breaths, and get ready for what will be another roller-coaster ride into the 2021 NFL playoffs.
Green Bay has a bye this week, the Packers host Chicago Dec. 12, at 7:20 p.m.
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