Packers @ Rams
Final Score: Packers 24 – Rams 19
Writer: Chris Helle (@ChrisHelleQBL on Twitter)
Because the Packers imposed a one-game suspension for Romeo Doubs, both these teams were without two of their top wide-outs. Each team started the game with three-and-outs before Jayden Reed’s 53-yard reception set up Josh Jacobs’ first touchdown of the season. The Rams responded with a strong drive down the field but failed to convert a fourth-down attempt, turning the ball over in the red zone. Green Bay went three-and-out again, with Los Angeles capitalizing on their next possession with a 13-play, 55-yard touchdown drive capped by Kyren Williams finding the paydirt. Pinned at their own goal line, Jordan Love threw an abysmal pick-six but got his team back into Rams territory to set up a field goal to go to half behind only 10-13. The tides turned as Williams fumbled the ball deep in Packers territory, and Tucker Kraft broke off a 66-yard touchdown. Xavier McKinney got his fifth interception of the season on the ensuing drive, which Love turned into another Kraft touchdown. LA kept things interesting as they scored again with just under four minutes left on the clock then forced a punt for a potential game-winning drive. Unfortunately, Matthew Stafford could not lead his team to victory, turning the ball over on downs and letting Love’s Packers take home the win.
Two Up
- Tucker Kraft – Two touchdowns for the big man! The 66-yarder coming off Williams’ fumble to start the second half was a major momentum shift in this game.
- Josh Jacobs – It only took until Week 5, but he finally found the end zone. Hopefully breaking the seal opens the floodgates for more to come, and he continues to dominate this backfield’s snap and rush share.
One Down
- Dontayvion Wicks – Wicks was set up to have a big day, but multiple drops on the day resulted in only two receptions on his seven targets.
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
Jordan Love: 15/26 224 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT | 3 Attempt, 10 Yards
This game was a tale of two halves for Love. To his credit, many of the incompletions in the first half came from good coverage or dropped balls by the receivers. Still, that offense was firing on very few cylinders through the first two quarters and relied on running with Jacobs, and short quick throws. After nearly taking a sack for a safety, Love made a terrible decision to try to toss the ball into the field – it was promptly intercepted on the three-yard line for a walk-in pick-six. The second half was much better, going 9/10 including deeper throws down the field. The most promising thing to take away from this game was a scramble for a first down, where Love made a move in the open field showing that his MCL injury may no longer be a hindrance to his mobility. This offense still has some kinks to work out, but he still got the win after a not-so-great performance.
Running Back
Josh Jacobs: 19 Attempts, 73 Yards, 1 TD | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 21 Yards
Despite Emanuel Wilson proving to be a quality second option in the backfield, Jacobs’ role as the lead back is not in question. It seemed as though Matt LaFleur was going to alternate the two backs between drives, but playing from behind helped ensure Jacobs stayed on the field. He is still as fast and elusive as his reputation suggests, though many of his carries are between the tackles and only go for short, hard-earned yards. Maybe some missing pieces in the passing game led this offense into those play calls, but his best runs came off plays in the C-gap or wider. Nonetheless, the former league-leading rusher finally got his first touchdown in the gold and green.
Emanuel Wilson: 6 Attempts, 24 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, -9 Yards
Wilson exploded onto the scene in Week 3 with a 30-yard touchdown reception, though he doesn’t appear to be making up too much ground behind Jacobs. If not for the number and nameplate, it would be easy to mistake him for A.J. Dillon and he’s currently seeing less of a role than Dillon had in years past. LaFleur tends to split work in the backfield, but the heavy share going to Jacobs indicates that Wilson is just along for the ride as Jacobs’ number two.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Christian Watson: DNP
Romeo Doubs: DNP
Jayden Reed: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 78 Yards | 2 Attempts, 19 Yards
With Watson injured and Doubs suspended, Reed could have easily had a very high-volume game. He brought in a huge 53-yard bomb on the game’s first drive but unfortunately went down on the three-yard line. His two incompletions came on a catchable ball he dropped, and an underthrown ball by Love. He had two jet motion carries and two screens, so the intention to have the playmaker involved was obvious.
Tucker Kraft: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 88 Yards, 2 TDs
The second-year tight end just keeps improving. For his size, it’s impressive to see him making the first man miss nearly every time he gets the ball in his hands, and even more fun to watch him stiff-arm his way to a track-run touchdown. The only target he didn’t bring in was Love’s sprawling throw of a pick-six. His other receptions were two short five-yard routes and a screen pass where he broke two tackles and dove for another score. If he’s still on waivers, he won’t be after this week, and for good reason.
KRAFT WILL NOT BE DENIED.
A 66-YARD TOUCHDOWN!#GBvsLAR pic.twitter.com/7cK5YPTP2o
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 6, 2024
Dontayvion Wicks: 7 Targets, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards
Drops. Missed opportunities. This was simply a bad day for a guy coming off a 78-yard and two-touchdown game the week prior. The fantasy realm was certain last week’s 13 targets combined with Doubs’ suspension was bound to set up Wicks for a breakout game, but this was a total bust. This is likely an outlier game, but Kraft’s improvements are a cause for concern and Reed seems to have established himself as the alpha in the receiving room.
Malik Heath: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 14 Yards
Bo Melton: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 12 Yards
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford: 29/45 260 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Stafford ran a fairly efficient offense but struggled to connect on anything past the sticks. Two drives deep into enemy territory went scoreless due to a Williams fumble and failing to connect with Colby Parkinson on back-to-back throws that were too high to bring down. The majority of his passing yards can be attributed to yards after the catch as Stafford’s best skill is getting the ball out quick. Almost every deeper throw, whether it was a post, flag, or endzone fade, missed the mark. His interception was entirely his fault, underthrowing Tutu Atwell on a flag route. He isn’t entirely to blame for this loss, but he definitely wasn’t at his best.
Running Back
Kyren Williams: 22 Attempts, 102 Yards, 1 TD, 1 Fumble | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 3 Yards
Another respectable game from Williams could have been better had it not been for a lost fumble on Green Bay’s 25-yard line. He also had two back-to-back carries inside the three-yard line that got stuffed for no gain. He’s an elusive runner who often turns an apparent 0-3 yard run into a 5+ yard gain. It was surprising to see his work in the passing game take a back seat in this contest, but perhaps that can be attributed to the lack of wide-out depth to stretch the field vertically.
Blake Corum: 5 Attempts, 25 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
This was only the second game where Blake Corum was given opportunities out of the backfield. All of his carries were between the tackles and were really nothing major to note. He’s a hard runner and gets reps as the kick returner, but will remain behind Williams for as long as he’s healthy.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Cooper Kupp: DNP
Puka Nacua: DNP
Tutu Atwell: 10 Targets, 6 Receptions, 58 Yards | 1 Attempt, 7 Yards
Every time Atwell gets the ball, you can’t help but think “Man, that guy is fast”. While his targets were outpaced by Parkinson and tied with Jordan Whittington, Atwell’s involvement included nearly every aspect of the route tree and included a designed run. One of his targets was a deep post route that could have drawn a defensive pass interference, otherwise it would have been a 40+ yard reception. With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua’s timelines to return up in the air and Whittington heading to the locker room with an apparent injury, Atwell should continue to see heavy involvement.
Jordan Whittington: 10 Targets, 7 Receptions, 89 Yards
Six of Whittington’s targets came on the last two drives as Atwell and Parkinson were more involved throughout the game. One of his incompletions came from a “drop” where he failed to maintain control through the ground, but he had a very impressive diving catch earlier in the game. After his last catch on the final drive, he was seen being taken to the locker room for an apparent injury, the severity of which is yet to be determined.
Colby Parkinson: 13 Targets, 7 Receptions, 52 Yards
Stafford looked his way in the endzone on back-to-back plays on the Rams’ second drive, but both balls were thrown high and out of reach. He gets most of his work on check-downs and simple short hitch/curl routes, which limits his big-play opportunities. This game nearly doubled as many targets as he saw last week (7) for the most he’s seen through these first five games. Bringing in either of those end zone targets would have gone a long way in both this game and for fantasy managers, though he’ll remain scoreless going into the bye week.
Demarcus Robinson: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 28 Yards
Hunter Long: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 16 Yards
Xavier Smith: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 6 Yards
Davis Allen: 1 Target, 0 Receptions