Green Bay Packers: 22-Year-Old Surfaces As Game Changer For Team

The Green Bay Packers got a much needed win on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. The defense came to play as they allowed a season low three points all afternoon. Yes, it is important to note that the Packers were facing backup quarterback Brett Rypien, but anytime you hold an NFL offense to three points it is something to celebrate.

While the defense as a whole played well, a few certainly stood out. One 22-year-old played so well that he garnered praise from some of the best on the team.

Rypien had a 45.2 passer rating and went 13-of-28 passing for 130 yards in his fourth career start. The situation was a tad different from shutting down the Super Bowl-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford, but impressive nontheless.

Valentine was joined by seventh-round rookie pick Anthony Johnson Jr. in the Packers’ secondary.Darnell Savage was replaced by backup safety Jonathan Owens for the second consecutive week.The Packers’ depth chart was thin, but they were also reeling from the shock of GM Brian Gutekunst’s sale of Rasul Douglas to the Buffalo Bills five days earlier.

In addition, linebacker Quay Walker missed the game, and defensive lineman Kenny Clark suffered a shoulder injury midway through.  The performance from this young group was nothing short of eye-opening.

Carrington Valentine made his fourth start of his career on Sunday, but his first since Rasul Douglas was traded. He produced a promising performance by breaking up three passes. The first career interception for Anthony Johnson came as a result of Darnell Savage being injured and Rudy Ford being inactive.

“Not too bad for a seventh-round pick, huh?” Valentine said of the unexpected dynamic duo.

Throughout, Valentine provided excellent coverage to limit Kupp, Nacua, and Tutu Atwell to nine receptions and 93 yards. Kupp found a hole in the zone for a 34-yard catch on the only big play of the game.

Going forward the Packers have high hopes for what Valentine could bring to this defense.  The Packers secondary will have another chance to prove themselves when they travel to Pittsburgh next week to face off against Kenny Pickett.

The Green Bay Packers can finally add a win to the record column. Before Sunday’s matchup, the team had lost four straight games, including not winning in October.

But Green Bay had a favorable matchup heading into Sunday’s game, as Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford missed the game with a thumb injury. Los Angeles started former Boise State product Brett Rypien. Son of former QB Mark Rypien. Rypien went 13-of-28 for 130 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. The interception was only Green Bay’s sixth takeaway this season (one of the lowest marks in the NFL.)

The team’s secondary held up well, as Cooper Kupp caught two passes for 48 yards, and rising star Puka Nacua caught three for 32 yards.

But the real story is Aaron Jones. The lesson learned in Sunday’s matchup is that when the offense runs through Aaron Jones, good things generally happen. Jones had 20 for 73 yards and one touchdown. He also added four catches for 46 yards.

On top of that, Jones also passed this former Green Bay Packers legend for most career touchdowns in franchise history.

A couple of weeks ago, Aaron Jones said he was “close to 100 percent.” On Sunday afternoon, he looked like the Aaron Jones of old.

Green Bay’s offense is dangerous when Aaron Jones is featured in the offensive plans. Given his hamstring injury suffered in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, Jones missed two games and returned in last week’s games against the Minnesota Vikings on a snap restriction.

On Sunday, Matt LaFleur unleashed the full offense, and it was successful, as Green Bay outgained Los Angeles 391 to 187 and had 184 yards rushing as a team.