Field Level Media
Oct 28, 2018
A heavyweight showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams was settled by a backup linebacker.
With the Rams having just taken the lead, Ramik Wilson forced a fumble by Packers kickoff returner Ty Montgomery. Wilson recovered, helping the Rams improve to 8-0 with their 29-27 victory in front of a bipartisan crowd on Sunday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Green Bay (3-3-1) was leading 27-26 when rookie JK Scott's punt traveled only 25 yards, setting up Los Angeles at the Packers' 40-yard line. Seven plays later, Greg Zuerlein's 34-yard field goal put the Rams in front with 2:05 remaining.
Wilson poked the ball loose on the ensuing kickoff and the Rams ran out the clock, with Todd Gurley converting a third-and-10 but turning down a sure touchdown.
Jared Goff threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns and Gurley rushed for 114 yards and added 81 receiving yards. Aaron Donald had two sacks to give him 10 in eight games.
Los Angeles scored back-to-back touchdowns to take a 23-13 lead with 1:50 remaining in the third quarter.
Gurley extended his touchdown streak to 11 consecutive games with a 30-yard reception from Goff and then caught a two-point conversion pass to make it 16-13. All of the Rams' receivers went left on the touchdown play and Gurley went right and caught Goff's short pass, running the final 28 yards untouched for the score.
Goff's second touchdown pass of the day to Josh Reynolds, a 19-yarder, made it a 10-point game.
But Green Bay's offense broke out of a lengthy dry spell. Aaron Rodgers' 41-yard pass to Davante Adams on third-and-9 set up a 33-yard touchdown run by Aaron Jones on a draw.
The Rams extended their lead to 26-20 lead early in the fourth quarter on Zuerlein's 43-yard field goal.
Green Bay answered again as completions of 15 and 20 to Adams set up a 40-yard touchdown to Marquez Valdes-Scantling that put the Packers in front 27-26 with 8:50 remaining.
The Packers dominated the first half but managed only a 10-8 lead at intermission.
Rodgers threw for 286 yards, with Adams having five receptions for 133 yards. Green Bay, however, went only 2-of-9 on third-down conversions.
--Field Level Media