Rodgers, Packers Beat Rams; Advance to NFC Title Game for 2nd Straight Year

Green Bay 32, LA Rams 18

–Aaron Rodgers threw for 296 yards and two scores, including a game-sealing 58-yard touchdown pass to Allen Lazard as the Packers defeated the Rams at Lambeau Field to advance to the NFC Championship Game for the second straight year. 

After trading field goals in the first quarter, the Packers owned the second stanza – getting a touchdown pass from Rodgers to Davante Adams and a short touchdown run from Rodgers himself to take a 16-3 lead with 3:29 left in the half. The Rams would then answer with a short touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Van Jefferson to pull within six with 30 seconds to play before halftime. It wouldn’t take long for the Packers to answer – with Rodgers leading them 54 yards in five plays to set up a 39-yard field goal from Mason Crosby for a 19-10 lead at halftime. 

Green Bay scored quickly to start the second half, going 75 yards on six plays in just 2:50, sparked by a 60 yard run from Aaron Jones on the frist play of the third quarter. Jones finished the drive a short while later with a one-yard touchdown run for a 25-10 lead. The Rams wouldn’t go away quietly, with Cam Akers running in from seven yards out and scoring the two-point conversion to make it a one-score game at 25-18 with 1:41 to play in the third. 

The Packers and Rams traded punts on subsequent drives to start the fourth quarter, then on a 2nd down from their own 42, Rodgers found Lazard behind the Rams secondary for what would be the final score of the game. The Rams would get the ball back, but turn it over on downs, and the Packers would run out the clock. 

STAT LEADERS: 

Green Bay: 

Passing: Aaron Rodgers – 23/36, 296 yards, 2 TD

Rushing: Aaron Jones – 14 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD

Receiving; Allen Lazard – 4 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD; Davante Adams – 9 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD

Los Angeles: 

Passing: Jared Goff – 21/27, 174 yards, 1 TD

Rushing: Cam Akers – 18 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD

Receiving: Josh Reynolds – 3 catches, 65 yards

UP NEXT: 

The Packers will host the NFC Championship Game next Sunday at Lambeau Field. Green Bay will host either New Orleans or Tampa Bay with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

AFC Divisional Playoffs: 

Buffalo 17, Baltimore 3

–Josh Allen threw for 206 yards and a touchdown as the Bills advanced to next weekend’s AFC Championship Game. Bills defensive back Taron Johnson returned an interception 101 yards for a score late in the third quarter to help seal the victory. Buffalo will play either Kansas City or Cleveland for a trip to the Super Bowl next Sunday.