QB Aaron Rodgers believes resilient Packers will bounce back after an embarrassing loss in Los Angeles.
Green Bay suffered just their second loss of the season on Sunday, falling to the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park by a score of 26-11. This was one of their worst losses in recent memory. They were shut out in the first half for the first time all year by a score of 6-0. The defense then held the Chargers to two consecutive field goals in the second half but the offense couldn’t muster anything in the third quarter. Los Angeles’ pass rush was ferocious, sacking Rodgers a total of 3 times in the game. Offensive penalties were also a huge issue. 5 total in the first half (4 false start penalties, 1 illegal block), 8 total for the game. They definitely were not in rhythm during the game. They are also now 7-2 on the season but the silver lining here is that even with the loss, Green Bay still maintains first place in the division due to the Lions, Bears, and Vikings all losing as well.
Blame the weather or tiredness, either way, it definitely wasn’t a good day on either side of the ball for Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers was held to just 35 yards passing in the first half, his lowest amount since 2015 against the Denver Broncos (77 yards). Melvin Gordon; RB for Los Angeles, ran for 80 total yards along with scoring two total touchdowns; Los Angeles’ only touchdowns of the game. QB Phillip Rivers was on point passing the ball, going 21/28 (75%), for 294 yards with a 108.3 passer rating. Green Bay’s secondary couldn’t contain the run or pass at all in the game, which was to their detriment, unfortunately. After giving up a FG to Los Angeles, the score was 12-0 at the beginning of the second quarter. Green Bay’s first two second-half possessions ended in punts. After surrendering a touchdown on the Chargers’ first possession in the second half, Green Bay was in desperation mode down 19-0 late in the third quarter. K Mason Crosby then made a 54 yard FG with 3:20 left on Green Bay’s third possession in the second half, making the score 19-3 Los Angeles.
Green Bay’s defense once again could not stop Los Angeles’ offensive attack, giving up another touchdown on a 10 play, 75-yard drive that took 5:14 off the clock. The score was now 26-3 Chargers with 10:30 left in the 4th quarter. Knowing it was make it or break it time, Aaron Rodgers went to work, going 9/9 for 75 yards and 1 touchdown. After a successful two-point conversion attempt by Green Bay (Rodgers rush), it was 26-11 Chargers with 6:21 left in the fourth. Green Bay’s defense held LA to a possible game-sealing FG, it ended up being wide left (44 yards) with 2:14 left in the fourth.
After taking over on their own 34-yard line, Green Bay went on a 7 play, 25-yard drive. It ended up coming down to a 4th and 5 from the Chargers’ 46-yard line. The pass was just out of the reach of WR Davante Adams in the endzone and essentially ended the game for Green Bay. Despite that, Rodgers and the Packers still went down swinging. He finished 23/35 for 160 yards and 1 touchdown, along with an 85.5 passer rating. Los Angeles then knelt the ball for the final two plays. (1:06 left in the fourth). It was a very frustrating day all around.
So, with this loss begs the question: Where does Green Bay go from here? Well, the season is far from over yet. They have plenty of time to correct their mistakes before the Carolina Panthers come into town on Sunday. QB Aaron Rodgers spoke about the loss after the game: “This was a good learning experience for us. We gotta come ready to play. I don’t think we were locked in from the start, unfortunately. I’m not sure exactly the reason [why], but I don’t think the focus was there from the start. We have to look in the mirror and be very honest about our performance, myself first and then our offense and our energy and attention to detail. We gotta get better. This was a good slice of humble pie for us, we’re kinda rolling at 7-1 and starting to maybe listen to the chatter a little too much. I think this will be a good thing for us, we’ll regroup, go back home and play another good team before the bye.”
Rodgers definitely understands this loss is a team loss, as is any NFL game. It’s not on one certain player or position. The entire team is at fault. Penalties and offensive rhythm definitely played a factor in it. They know they have to clean it up before Sunday and I think they will bounce back in a big way just like they did after losing to Philadelphia at home earlier in the year. This team is a resilient bunch. They’ll learn from this and bounce back in a big way against the Panthers on Sunday. Regroup, rebound, and bounce back.
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