Cheesehead
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,854
- 0
The most successful drive of the game – a nine-play, 75-yard series midway through the fourth quarter – saw quarterback Aaron Rodgers complete nine consecutive passes leading up to Jamaal Williams’ 10-yard touchdown catch but also with Green Bay trailing 26-3 at the time.
The Packers’ offense was coming off a monster October in which it averaged 32.5 points per game during the team’s four-game winning streak. However, it struggled to move the ball consistently through either the air (139 yards) or on the ground (45 yards).
“Today wasn’t good enough,” right tackle Bryan Bulaga said. “It humbles you. It brings you back down to earth. We’ll watch it and get better. (There’s) no time to sulk here. We have another good team coming in this week. We gotta get ready to play.”
Like its three previous meetings with the Chargers in 2007, 2011 and 2015, the Packers’ defense struggled to find a consistent answer for Rivers.
Although Rivers didn’t throw a touchdown pass, he was methodical in completing 21-of-28 passes for 294 yards. His two deep throws to receiver Mike Williams, combining for 92 yards, came on eventual scoring drives.
Operating with a new play-caller after offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt was fired last week, Los Angeles also attacked more on Sunday with its ground game than it had in previous weeks.
Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler combined for 32 carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns, and another 51 receiving yards on seven receptions.
“This is the NFL. Nothing surprises you in this league,” said Preston Smith, who had seven tackles and a sack. “Every team is going to come out, regardless of what their record is and what they may be statistically, they’re going to come out and give their best. We just didn’t play our best tonight. We have to fix that and we have to get back to being us as a defense.”