There is no magic of Baker Mayfield as the Rams are eliminated by the Packers

Green Bay – Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield He was unable to replicate the comeback magic he conjured up in his first game with the Rams as the defending champions were eliminated in a 24-12 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Both teams entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations, but there was only one hope left, even though the Packers’ hopes are slim.

The belts’ decisive appearances were in cold weather AJ Dillon Rush for two downs and Aaron Jones Catching a TD pass.

Green Bay Packers

Look at Green Bay Packers fans, winning streak.

The Packers won back-to-back games for the first time since Week 4, when they were 3-1. They went into their bye week with a win over the Chicago Bears and came away by methodically – if not stellar – taking care of the business against the Rams in freezing conditions at Lambeau Field.

Step 2 was in a five-step plan to make the playoffs. When the Packers fell to 4-8, they knew they’d probably need to win their last five games — and get some help from other teams along the way — to make it happen. Now at 6-8, the win boosted their playoff chances from 9.7% to 12.2% ahead of next Sunday’s Christmas game at the Miami Dolphins, according to ESPN Analytics. A loss would have reduced the Packers’ chances to 0.8%.

promising direction: AJ Dillon He loves the cold. After rushing for 93 yards and 18 touchdowns against the Bears, Dillon had two more touchdowns against the Rams. It was the second week in a row the Packers had as many rushing touchdowns. They have four in their last two games after only having four rushing games in the first 12 games of the season. Dillon left the game in the fourth quarter to be assessed for a concussion.

Promising direction II: Romeo DobbsThe first game since his ankle injury in Week 9 showed what he and his fellow rookie receiver are all about Christian Watson They can do when they’re on the court together, which has only been 52 shots this entire season going into Monday. Doubs’ first two catches of the game were on first downs, making this his fourth game of the season in which he had as many first down catches. Doubs finished with five catches for 55 yards. Watson was held to no catch in the first inning; With All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey Covering it most of the time, he finished with four catches for 46 yards and also drew a pass tackle on a deep kick in the fourth quarter.

The eye-catching Next Gen stats: In Rodgers interception in the first quarter, the receiver Allen Lazard He had 9.3 yards when Rodgers released the ball. This is the most wide open interception Rodgers has thrown since 2016 when the Next Generation began tracking him. Lazard stopped running because he found an opening on the Rams’ secondary or a layup that sailed on Rodgers, who was not under pressure. In fact, the closest defender to Rodgers at the time of his throw was 10.4 yards – it was Rodgers’ farthest from a defender on any of his interceptions since 2016. – Rob Dimowski

Under-the-radar stats that matter: Rodgers has thrown eight interceptions when he wasn’t pressured this season after throwing one when he wasn’t pressured last season.

Next game: at the Dolphins (1 p.m., ET, Sunday, Dec. 25)

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams’ elimination from the playoffs came in Week 15, the second closest a team has come to coming out of a Super Bowl win in the past 30 years. Los Angeles also tied the 1999 Denver Broncos (6-10) for the most losses ever by a defending Super Bowl champion.

Once again, the Rams offense struggled to move the ball constantly, finding the end zone only once. Los Angeles only had one drive with double-digit plays: a 10-play, 28-yard drive in the second quarter.

QB breakdown: In his first start for the Rams, Mayfield could not recreate the magic he showed against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14. On Monday night, Mayfield completed 12 of 21 passes for 111 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Touchdown pass in the third quarter to Tyler Higby It was his 100th career touchdown. Mayfield spread the ball around, with Higbee leading the way with five goals. Mayfield’s injury didn’t help at center Brian Allen On the Rams’ first drive of the game. He was sacked five times and was a nine-hit Packers quarterback. The five sacks are the most by the Packers in a game since Christmas Day in 2021, which was against Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns.

Promising trend: After struggling to force turnovers in the first half of the season, the Rams have had six takeaways in their last four games. safety Taylor rap He had one in each of the two previous games in Los Angeles.

The positive side: Cam Akers It was a bright spot for this Rams offense, as he ran for 65 yards on 12 carries, his highest yardage of the season. He was also Los Angeles’ leading receiver with three catches for 35 yards. Akers has three touchdowns in the last three games, and he played a key role in setting up the Rams’ third-quarter touchdown. Sarah Barshop

Under the Radar stats that matter: While every other team has multiple TD receptions by their tight ends, Higbee had the first one by the Rams tight end Monday night.

Next match: vs. Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 25)