Packers Snap 4-game Skid Beating Rams With Stafford Injured

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33), right, celebrates with teammates after scoring a 3-yard rushing touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Green Bay, Wis., on Nov. 5, 2023. Matt Ludtke/AP Photo

GREEN BAY, Wis.—Aaron Jones scored Green Bay’s first first-half touchdown since mid-September, and the Packers snapped a four-game skid by beating the Los Angeles Rams 20–3 on Sunday, Nov. 5.

Rookie tight end Luke Musgrave scored his first career touchdown on a 20-yard reception from Jordan Love and Anders Carlson went 3 of 4 on field-goal attempts for the Packers (3–5). Love went 20 of 26 for 228 yards despite getting sacked four times.

The Rams (3–6) dropped their third straight as they played without quarterback Matthew Stafford, who sprained a ligament in his right thumb last week in a loss at Dallas.

With Brett Rypien starting in Stafford’s place, the Rams failed to reach the end zone. Rypien went 13 of 28 for 130 yards with an interception, and the Rams lost one of his two fumbles.

Brett Rypien (11) of the Los Angeles Rams throws a pass in the first quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., on Nov. 5, 2023. John Fisher/Getty Images

Rypien was facing an injury-riddled Green Bay secondary that started two rookie seventh-round picks in cornerback Carrington Valentine and safety Anthony Johnson Jr.

Johnson, who had played just eight defensive snaps all season before Sunday, had an interception to set up a fourth-quarter field goal.

The Packers had been outscored 73–9 in the first half of their past five games, but they led this one 7–3 at the break and stayed ahead the rest of the way.

The Rams’ only points came on Lucas Havrisik’s 52-yard field goal late in the second quarter.

Demarcus Robinson (15) of the Los Angeles Rams is tackled by Anthony Johnson Jr. (36) of the Green Bay Packers in the third quarter of a game in Green Bay, Wis., on Nov. 5, 2023. John Fisher/Getty Images

Green Bay capitalized on one of Rypien’s turnovers to reach the end zone before halftime, something they hadn’t accomplished since the second quarter of a Sept. 17 loss in Atlanta. Rypien initially mishandled a snap and then tried to roll to his right.

Jonathan Owens sacked him and forced a fumble that De’Vondre Campbell recovered at the Rams 41-yard line.

Jones capped Green Bay’s ensuing drive with a 3-yard touchdown run in the opening minute of the second quarter. Jones ran for 73 yards to lead the Packers’ 184-yard rushing attack.

The Packers fumbled the ball away on each of their first two second-half series, but the Rams failed to capitalize either time.

After Ahkello Witherspoon recovered Dontayvion Wicks’ fumble at the Rams 42, Los Angeles punted rather than attempting a long field goal on fourth-and-17 from the 36.

Jordan Fuller knocked the ball from Aaron Jones on the Packers’ next series, and Duke Shelley’s 9-yard fumble return gave the Rams the ball on the Green Bay 36.

The Rams’ ensuing possession ended with Havrisik’s 49-yard field-goal attempt sailing wide right.

Carlson, who missed a 52-yard field goal to end the first half, extended Green Bay’s lead by kicking a 26-yarder late in the third quarter and a 34-yarder with 9:08 left in the game. Musgrave capped the scoring by catching a pass across the middle at around the 15 and running into the end zone with 3:41 remaining.

Injury Report

Rams: Linebacker Ernest Jones (knee) and right tackle Rob Havenstein (calf) didn’t play along with Stafford. Rams DB Cobie Durant (shoulder) left in the first half.

Packers: Linebacker Quay Walker (groin) and safety Rudy Ford (calf) sat out the game. Defensive tackle Kenny Clark (shoulder) and left tackle Yosh Nijman (back) were knocked out of the game. Christian Watson headed into the locker room late in the game after making a 37-yard catch to set up the Packers’ final touchdown. Watson had a chest injury and back injury.

Up Next

Rams: Off next week before hosting the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 19.

Packers: At Pittsburgh next Sunday.

By Steve Megargee