The Packers controlled their divisional game against the Rams from the start as they rolled to a 32-18 victory, to return for to the NFC Championship Game for the second consecutive year.
We will find out who they will play later this afternoon but here is what we know about it so far. The Packers will play either the Buccaneers or Saints at Lambeau. The game will kick off at 2:05 PM Central Time (3:05 PM Eastern) next Sunday, January 24th.
This is the 4th time the Packers will appear in the NFC Championship Game in the last 7 years. All of those appearances have been on the road. The last time that the Packers hosted the NFC Championship Game was in 2007, when they faced the New York Giants. Aaron Rodgers was backing up Brett Favre then.
The Packers used their trio of running backs to control the game as they rushed for 188 yards against the number 1 defense. Heading into the matchup, the talk was about Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald. But the Rams number 1 defense had no answers for the Packers number 1 rated offense.
The Packers offensive line controlled Aaron Donald, as he finished with 1 tackle. That’s it. That was his stat line. The offensive line lead by Elgton Jenkins completed dominated the Rams vaunted Rams, as they allowed no sacks, opened up running lanes, and gave Rodgers plenty of time to find the open receivers.
Rodgers attacked Ramsey early as he targeted the best receiver in the game, Davante Adams, early and often. Adams was targeted 10 times. He had 9 receptions for 66 yards and 1 touchdown. On Adams touchdown, Ramsey was visible upset afterwards as he got picked by his own player as he was coming across the field, which left Adams wide open for the touchdown.
Rodgers had opportunities to blow the game wide open in the third quarter leading 25-10 but he missed Valdez-Scantling on a would be touchdown and Lazard dropped a would be potential touchdown on a play-action pass. Valdez-Scantling finished the game with 33 yards on 4 receptions. Lazard on the other hand, finished with a team high 99 receiving yards, and a touchdown on 4 receptions. His touchdown came on a 58-yard dagger that sealed the victory for the Packers.
The Packers defense held its own. When Mike Pettine and his defense can hold a team to under 20 points, the Packers chances of winning the game are extremely high. The defense played a lot of 3 and 4 man fronts to control the line of scrimmage. They gave up 98 yards on the ground and 174 yards through the air, but the defense pressured Rams quarterback Jared Goff, sacked him 4 times and stopped the Rams offense when they had to.
On both sides of the ball, you could tell that the players feed off of fans being in the stands. The fans made Lambeau loud, which was a huge boost for the team. You kind of got that sense that Rodgers and company were not going to lose this game with more fans in attendance.
Get ready Cheesehead Nation, something special is happening in Green Bay. Four more quarters at Lambeau Field this season and they will be the most important ones of the season so far. The NFC Championship game comes to Lambeau Field next Sunday!
Go Pack Go!!
Anthony Haag is a writer for PackersTalk.com. He has been a Packers fan since the day he was born and truly bleeds green and gold. He makes annual visits to Lambeau Field and has attended his fair share of games. You can follow Anthony on Twitter at @anthony_haag
