Packers defeat Rams 32-18 to advance to NFC Championship Game

For the second straight year, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is one game away from Super Bowl. On Saturday afternoon, the Packers defeated the Los Angeles Rams 32-18 in the NFC Divisional Round at Lambeau Field. Green Bay will host the winner of Sunday’s Bucs-Saints game in the NFC Championship Game.

Rodgers and the entire Green Bay offense played exceptionally well against one of the best defenses in the NFL, which features both Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. Both teams were able to move the ball down the field in first quarter, but struggled to get into the end zone. The first frame ended with a 3-3 ball game.

However, Rodgers and Co. eventually took over and started to assert themselves on the Rams’ defense. Rodgers was 23-of-36 for 296 yards and two touchdowns. One of his touchdown passes went to superstar wideout Davante Adams, who scored on a motion pass on the goal line to put the Packers up 10-3 in the second quarter.

Then later in the first half, Rodgers picked up a one-yard rushing touchdown to increase the Packers’ lead to 16-3. But to their credit, the Rams didn’t back down as Jared Goff and rookie running back Cam Akers led the team into the red zone. Goff found rookie wideout Van Jefferson for his lone touchdown pass of the game to make the score 16-10.

In the third quarter, the Packers’ offense opened up the floodgates as star running back Aaron Jones ripped off a 60-yard plus run. Jones eventually scored a one-yard touchdown to give Green Bay a 25-10 lead. The dynamic running finished the game with 99 yards on 14 carries.

Finally, in the fourth quarter, Rodgers put the finishing touches on the Packers’ playoff win, by hitting wide receiver Allen Lazard for a 58-yard touchdown reception. The Packers took a knee in the final two minutes to close out the victory.