Packers: Rashan Gary forces fumble to set up Aaron Rodgers touchdown

Think getting Rashan Gary is important for the Green Bay Packers‘ defense?

You bet.

Gary didn’t take long to make an impact on Sunday’s game with the Los Angeles Rams, forcing a fumble on Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the opening quarter. Preston Smith recovered to set up the Packers with the ball at the Los Angeles six-yard line.

Here’s the incredible play by Gary:

Importantly, the Packers made it count. They needed to ensure the turnover was cashed in for seven points and not three, and they achieved this.

Aaron Rodgers found Davante Adams, who made it down to the Rams’ one-yard line, and AJ Dillon finished off the drive for a go-ahead touchdown.

A perfect start for the Packers. To have a shot of defeating the Rams, Matt LaFleur’s team needed to make a fast start, get a lead, and take the game away from Los Angeles.

There’s still a lot of ballgame left, as Cheesehead TV’s Aaron Nagler would say.

But you couldn’t have asked for a better start. On the next drive, the Rams went for it on fourth down from their own 29-yard line. Adrian Amos made an incredible play to stop Rams running back Darrell Henderson short of a first down and give the Packers great field position.

This is a heavyweight battle between two of the NFC’s best teams. Two teams with Super Bowl ambitions this season. But also two teams looking to bounce back after disappointing performances in recent weeks.

A win for the Packers here would be a big statement to the rest of the league, and it would be huge in the race for the NFC’s top seed. They lead 7-0 with the football after the first quarter.