Packers lose to Rams in Week 8 despite strong defensive performance

A good defensive performance wasn’t enough for the Green Bay Packers, who were defeated by the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8.

Down by two points, the Packers were set to get the ball back with one timeout and the best quarterback in football.

But instead of starting at the 25-yard line, Ty Montgomery decided to run the ball out of the end zone. And then came the biggest play of the game, a fumble, that handed the ball straight back to the Rams, who were able to run out the clock.

Despite putting together a solid performance, better than many expected, the Packers couldn’t close out a victory, the Rams remaining undefeated at 8-0. Green Bay falls to 3-3-1 with a tough game at New England next week.

The Packers had an extra week to prepare for this game, and it showed in the first half.

One of the team’s biggest problems before the bye was starting games too slowly. They fell behind big against Chicago, at Washington and at Detroit.

But the opposite was true against the Rams. Mike Pettine’s defense dominated early, forcing the Rams to punt on their first five drives.

But the offense couldn’t build a big lead. Jamaal Williams scored the first touchdown of the day after an impressive Packers drive, but they had to settle for a field goal on their following possession and didn’t score for the rest of the half.

Green Bay entered halftime up 10-8. Todd Gurley had 13 carries for just 34 yards, averaging 2.4 yards per carry.

Gurley ran much better in the second half and the Rams found some rhythm on offense. But so did the Packers.

Aaron Jones scored on a 33-yard touchdown run, and rookie Marquez Valdes-Scantling gave the Packers the lead with a 40-yard touchdown reception.

A Greg Zuerlein field goal gave the Rams a two-point lead with little over two minutes remaining.

The defense played well enough against Los Angeles’ excellent offense. Maybe Aaron Rodgers would’ve led the Packers down the field for the win. Maybe not.

But after an excellent performance on special teams for most of the game, one error cost Green Bay the chance to pick up a huge win on the road.