Green Bay Packers grade card: Position evaluation vs. Rams
Here's a position-by-position analysis of how the Green Bay Packers graded out during their 29-27 loss Sunday to the Los Angeles Rams.
Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers (102.9 rating) didn’t turn the ball over against an explosive team where even one turnover would have been a killer. He put a deep ball on the money to Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 40-yard touchdown and spread the ball to eight players. The Packers put up only 10 points in the first half and didn’t win, but Rodgers had a decent game. Grade: B
Running backs: Aaron Jones (12 carries, 7.2-yard average) was quick to and through the hole and had an explosive (33-yard) touchdown run. Ty Montgomery missed a key block in pass protection on the Packers’ final third down of the day. Grade: B-
Offensive line: For stretches of this game Lane Taylor and Byron Bell did a decent job against Aaron Donald, but Donald got Taylor for a big sack when it counted late in the game. The run blocking for Jones wasn’t bad. Grade: C+
Receivers: Valdes-Scantling scored on the long touchdown, and Davante Adams (five catches for 133 yards) sometimes looks uncoverable because of his body control and ability to create a cushion. No drops by this group, either. Grade: B+
Tight ends: Jimmy Graham had a 21-yard catch that set up a touchdown, but that was it from this group. Grade: C
Defensive line: Kenny Clark was dominant with two sacks and consistently good work stopping the run. He and Mike Daniels got good push in the interior of the line much of the day. Todd Gurley, maybe the league’s best back, had good stats (25 rushes, 114 yards) but didn’t dominate. Grade: B+
Inside linebackers: Blake Martinez isn't explosive or dynamic but tackled well for the most part and had a couple good blitzes, including a sack. Grade: C+
Outside linebackers: Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine moved Clay Matthews around a little more this week, and Matthews had one of his best games of the season. That included a hustle sack on a big third down in the fourth quarter. Nick Perry was ineffective against both the run and pass. Kyler Fackrell had a sack on an outside speed rush. Grade: B
Cornerbacks: Jaire Alexander, Kevin King and Tramon Williams combined for an excellent game against a high-powered passing attack. They covered well enough for the rush to get home. Grade: A-
Safeties: The Rams picked on safety-linebacker Jermaine Whitehead several times, and Kentrell Brice was out of position and unavailable to make the tackle to prevent Josh Reynolds’ 19-yard touchdown. Grade: C
Special teams: A terrible game for coordinator Ron Zook’s group. Besides Ty Montgomery’s lost fumble when he was supposed to down the final kickoff, the Packers also gave up a first down on a pass by Rams punter Johnny Hekker, and gave up crucial field position when JK Scott shanked a 25-yard punt late in the fourth quarter. Grade: D