Los Angeles Rams vs. Green Bay Packers Live In-Game Updates, Highlights: Rams Lose 20-3
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will test his injured thumb before Sunday’s kickoff, but the writing is on the wall: Los Angeles will be without its veteran starter.
Backup quarterback Brett Rypien gets the call, meaning this game has the look and feel of perhaps the ugliest game of Week 9’s early slate. On the other side, Packers quarterback Jordan Love has scuffled his way through his first half-season as a starter.
Fans have seen Rams head coach Sean McVay find production through injuries at receiver, offensive line, and running back—but quarterback is an entirely different ball game.
McVay embraces Stafford on the sideline during a Rams' home game.
© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
A large part of keeping this offense afloat will be getting a strong performance from receiver Cooper Kupp. After two dominant games in his return from injury, Kupp has seen 17 targets in the last two weeks. They’ve gone for a combined six receptions and 50 yards.
Finding easy completions over the middle of the field will be crucial in keeping Los Angeles on schedule. That and the run game will have to buoy the Rams without their usual explosiveness. So far, reinforcement running backs Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman have stepped up admirably, but the Packers will have the luxury of not respecting the vertical aspect of Los Angeles’ aerial attack.
Despite Green Bay’s 2-5 record, there’s enough talent to take over a game with splash plays from the defensive side of the ball. Lineman Kenny Clark, edge rusher Rashan Gary, and corner Jaire Alexander are all playmakers in their own right.
Is Los Angeles a get-right game for a struggling Packers team?
WHAT: Los Angeles Rams (3-5) vs. Green Bay Packers (2-5)
WHERE: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI (81,441)
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, 10 a.m. (PDT)
TELEVISION: FOX
RADIO: ESPNLA 710 AM, Tu Liga Radio 1330 AM
ODDS: Rams +3.5 (-125), Moneyline +135, Total: 38.5 (o -110/u -118)
Live updates will appear after kickoff.
FIRST QUARTER
Rams First Drive: Los Angeles received the opening kickoff.
Henderson got things started with a five-yard rush and on third-and-5, receiver Puka Nacua moved the chains with a 10-yard catch.
On the next set of downs, a run from receiver Ben Skowronek. The Rams would punt it away.
Packers First Drive: Running back Aaron Jones was a priority on the first drive, taking Green Bay's first rush and reception. He saw two more targets on the next set of downs.
On third-and-1, running back AJ Dillon rushed up the middle for a first down. A successful tush push would have extended the drive a few plays later, but a penalty made it a fourth-and-6 and a punt ensued.
Rams Second Drive: A facemask penalty on Gary gave Los Angeles a boost early in its second drive. Gary went offsides on the next play.
It's a Royce Freeman drive, on the second go-around.
On first-and-10 from Green Bay's 45, Rypien fumbled the snap, recovered, and fumbled again. The Packers recovered close to the red zone.
Packers Second Drive: Granted great field position, Green Bay relied on its rushing attack, rushing four times after an initial pass.
The Rams are tied 0-0 at the end of the first quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
The ground game rumbled on to begin the quarter. A Jones rushing touchdown would open the scoring.
The Rams trail 7-0 with 14:19 remaining in the second quarter.
Rams Third Drive: A false start would set back Los Angeles' drive to essentially end it before it started. The Rams punted after a three-and-out.
Packers Third Drive: After a first down on the opening play of the drive, Green Bay would quickly stall out.
Love attempted a deep shot to receiver Christian Watson on third down, but it fell incomplete. They too would punt.
Rams Fourth Drive: Freeman began the drive with a two-yard rush. He'd also run for seven yards on third down, but by that time a delay of game made the gain fruitless. Another three and out.
Packers Fourth Drive: If it wasn't clear already that neither coach wants to throw the ball today, let this drive be further proof. The first three rushes of the drive -- all from Jones -- netted nine yards.
A fourth-and-1 illegal shift would set them back, leading to another punt.
Rams Fifth Drive: A first down! Two Henderson rushes preceded a six-yard Rypien scramble.
Henderson's next rush, though, went for -5 yards. Kupp made himself known with a 34-yard pass and the game's first explosive play.
A third-down Nacua catch would move the chains and bring this one to the two-minute warning. The drive would stall out soon after, leading to a field goal.
The Rams trail 7-3 with 1:42 remaining in the second quarter.
Packers Fifth Drive: Firmly in the two-minute drill, Love had his best drive of the day.
He was efficient with shorter passes and even had an eight-yard scramble. A second-down sack would set the Packers back seven yards, but Love completed an 18-yard pass to move the chains.
After one more completion, they attempted a field goal and missed to end the half.
The Rams trail 7-3 at halftime.
HALFTIME
THIRD QUARTER
Packers Sixth Drive: The Packers received the second-half kickoff.
The Rams may have gotten the break they needed. After a first down, receiver Dontayvion Wicks fumbled. Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon recovered near midfield.
Rams Sixth Drive: The Rams struggled to generate much momentum after the turnover.
An offensive pass interference call on Nacua would set them back farther than they could recover from. Los Angeles elected to punt.
Packers Seventh Drive: Dillon started the drive with a run, but a holding call on the next play made it second-and-15. Dillon would add a three-yard catch on the next play.
Despite the setbacks, Jones found himself moving the chains on a third-and-12. On the next play, he fumbled and Duke Shelley recovered.
Rams Seventh Drive: Freeman got things started with a six-yard rush. It looked like he fumbled on the next play, but fortunately for Los Angeles, it was overturned.
McVay settled for a field goal, but it was no good.
Packers Eighth Drive: Love started the drive with three consecutive completions, the third of which went for 25 yards. Quickly, Green Bay has moved into Los Angeles territory.
Love took a sack on third-and-2 in the red zone. The Packers took a field goal to extend the lead.
The Rams trail 10-3 with 2:10 remaining in the third quarter.
Rams Eighth Drive: Nacua hauled in a nice 18-yard catch to get the ball rolling late in the third quarter.
After two incompletions, Henderson found an eight-yard catch.
The Rams trail 10-3 at the end of the third quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
The fourth quarter began with a fourth-down attempt. The Rams did not convert.
Packers Ninth Drive: I regret to inform you that we've witnessed another three-and-out.
Rams Ninth Drive: This game just keeps getting uglier. Rypien was intercepted at midfield.
Packers Tenth Drive: Wicks began the drive with an 11-yard catch. The Packers went back to the ground game, leading to an unsuccessful third-down attempt.
An Anders Carlson field goal made it a two-possession game.
The Rams trail 13-3 with 9:08 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Rams Tenth Drive: Los Angeles was once again ineffective on offense. Two incompletions and a short catch would bring up fourth-and-6.
McVay decided to punt.
Packers Eleventh Drive: Expect Green Bay to continue to burn the clock. However, Love opted to move the chains through the air.
Interestingly enough, the Packers continue to throw the ball -- this time successfully. Love hit receiver Christian Watson for a 37-yard gain.
Jones entered the red zone with a three-yard rush on first down. On the next play, tight end Luke Musgrave finished the job with a score.
The Rams trail 20-3 with 3:41 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Rams Eleventh Drive: Kupp got himself a 14-yard catch for the first significant gain of the drive.
A few plays later, Rypien and the Rams turned the ball over on downs.
Packers Twelfth Drive: This one is all but over.
Receiver Jayden Reed set up what should be Green Bay's game-ending first down.
Love kneeled this one out. Ballgame.
The Rams lost 20-3 to fall to 3-6.
