Packers-Rams three takeaways: Defense deserves better

1. Defense makes big improvements

The box score doesn’t tell the full story. The Packers defense played well enough to win this game, Mike Pettine’s unit making big improvements after the bye week.

Rookie cornerback Jaire Alexander was the standout performer on defense all afternoon long. His return from injury had a major impact for the Packers. Alexander made plays all over the field, finishing the game with seven tackles and five passes defended.

With Aaron Rodgers and the talent the Packers have on offense, the defense did more than enough by holding the Rams to 27 points. The other two points were a result of a safety.

The Packers sacked Jared Goff five times and had eight quarterback hits. They forced the Rams into a number of third-and-long situations, and got some key stops.

Los Angeles’ first five possessions all resulted in punts. That would’ve been hard to believe before the game.

The bye week came at the right time for this defense. Two weeks ago the unit had no answer for a San Francisco 49ers offense playing without their starting quarterback and running back. That game was also at Lambeau Field.

But with a week to get healthy and make adjustments, Pettine’s defense looked much stronger against one of the league’s top offenses.

They have another huge test next week against the New England Patriots.