Packers should’ve beaten both Rams and Patriots in regular season
This Sunday the LA Rams and New England Patriots meet in Super Bowl LIII. The Green Bay Packers should have victories over both teams this season.
It was a disappointing season for the Packers. They won just six games despite Aaron Rodgers starting all of them, and were 1-7 on the road. But it could’ve been a lot different.
In Week 8, the Packers met the LA Rams on the road. Green Bay had its bye in Week 7 and entered the game at 3-2-1. The Rams were a perfect 7-0.
But Mike Pettine’s defense was able to achieve what no other team had managed so far in the season. They shut down LA’s dominant offense for almost the entire first half, forcing punts on the Rams’ opening five possessions. That’s right — five.
Despite that, Green Bay’s offense couldn’t get out of first gear. The Packers led 10-0 but couldn’t build a big lead, and the momentum shifted when Aaron Jones was tackled in the Packers’ end zone for a safety. The Rams got two points and the ball back; they scored a touchdown with 21 seconds remaining in the half to make it 10-8.
LA took control in the second half, but Green Bay still had a great opportunity to win the game.
After holding the Rams to a field goal, Green Bay would get the ball back with little under two minutes remaining, only down by two points. A field goal would win it. With the best quarterback in football running the show, few were going to bet against Aaron Rodgers leading the Packers to a huge victory and the Rams’ first loss of the season.
But Rodgers never got the chance. Ty Montgomery decided to take the kickoff out of the end zone, and fumbled. Rams ball. Game over.
A missed opportunity for the Packers.
A week later at New England, Green Bay took control of the game once again. Down by seven to start the third quarter, Rodgers led a seven-play touchdown drive, finding Jimmy Graham for game-tying touchdown.
The Packers then made an impressive goal-line stand to keep the Patriots out of the end zone on fourth down, and seemingly the momentum had swung Green Bay’s way. Pettine’s defense was beginning to make key plays and forced the Patriots to punt on their next possession.
But like the week before, the offense couldn’t get out of its own way. After an impressive start to the drive that saw Marquez Valdes-Scantling pick up 50 yards in just two plays, Aaron Jones fumbled on the New England 28-yard line.
The Packers had a chance to put the game away, but like the week before, a costly fumble ended their chances.
Despite falling short of the playoffs, these two games showed Green Bay was capable of defeating the NFL’s top teams. The Packers put themselves in position to pick up huge road wins in consecutive weeks, but their own mistakes cost them.
Two wins on the road here could’ve given the Packers the confidence, belief and, importantly, the momentum to go on a winning run. It wasn’t to be.
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The Rams and Patriots will battle for the Lombardi Trophy this weekend. The Packers could, and probably should, have picked up victories against both teams on the road this season.