By Chris Havel Special to EVENT USA GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers pounded out a must-win 24-12 victory over the Rams on Monday Night Football at snowy Lambeau Field to keep their feint playoff hopes alive. Green Bay (6-8) wants nothing more than a do-or-die chance to prove itself against a playoff-caliber team on the road. For better or worse, the Packers won’t have to wait until the postseason to get their wish. The Packers travel to Miami to face the explosive Dolphins (8-5) in a Christmas Day game Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. “We know that we’re in a one-game season from here on out, from here until the end of the year,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “So we’ve got to take care of business.” Aaron Rodgers acknowledged the Dolphins will be a great challenge, but he didn’t dismiss the Vikings or Lions, either. “They’re all good football teams,” he said. “Miami’s playing for the playoffs. Minnesota’s obviously division winners and coming off a big win. Detroit’s won, what, six out of seven, they’re playing really well. So it’s going to be three difficult games.” The Packers’ odds of reaching the playoffs rose to 12.2 percent if they manage to win out. Los Angeles (4-10) mustered a season-low 156 yards in total offense, the fewest since head coach Sean McVay took over in 2017. The one-week curiosity that was Baker Mayfield after his stunning debut in a 17-16 upset of the Raiders last week predictably came back to earth. More precisely, Mayfield came back to the Frozen Tundra repeatedly as the Packers’ defense abused an injury-racked offensive line. The Packers sacked Mayfield five times and created constant chaos. Smith had two sacks while Quay Walker and Kingsley Enagbare had one each. Devonte Wyatt and Justin Hollins shared the other sack. Smith said the answer was simple: Playing together as one unit. “Everybody was just doing their job a high level,” he said. “A lot of guys were benefiting tonight. We had five sacks as a defense. We were all on one accord tonight. We were playing at a high level in every phase. I feel like we were doing that pretty well, and guys were just maximizing off of the opportunities.” LaFleur also liked what he saw from his defense. “That’s what we need moving forward,” he said. “Certainly going down to Miami I think Tua (Tagavailoa) has been playing great. They’ve got a very, very, very explosive offense, a very creative offense, and it’s going to be critical for us to get pressure on the quarterback in order to give us an opportunity to win the game.” The Packers’ offense looked pretty good, too. Rodgers was 22 of 30 for 229 yards with one touchdown and an interception. He was sacked three times and posted a 92.2 passer rating. The Packers’ opening drive was promising, but Rodgers retreated like a scared rabbit on third-and-goal at the 5 and was sacked by Leonard Floyd. Green Bay settled for a 34-yard Mason Crosby field goal. Their second drive ended in an interception when Rodgers and Allen Lazard weren’t on the same page. The mistake led to an easy pick. However, the Packers got it going to open the second half. Green Bay marched 68 yards in 11 plays to score its first opening-half touchdown in the past 21 tries. A.J. Dillon capped it with his second touchdown of the game, a 1-yard blast through the Rams’ midsection. “I like how we came out in the second half,” Rodgers said. “That first drive was really important, seven minutes, touchdown (and go) back up by two scores. That was winning football, and we haven’t really done that consistent enough throughout the season.” The Packers’ balance was tremendous with 35 carries out of 68 snaps. Aaron Jones led the way with 90 yards on 17 carries and Dillon added 36 yards on 11 carries and the two touchdowns. Jones also caught four passes (in five targets) for 36 yards and the Packers’ final touchdown of the game, a 7-yard grab from Rodgers to seal it. Rookie receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs also had strong performances. Doubs caught five passes (in five targets) for 55 yards, and Watson added four grabs (in six targets) for 46 yards. “Romes has always been a bit more polished as a route runner,” Rodgers said. “Christian is just so explosive.” Watson’s touchdown streak ended at four games, but his mere presence influenced the Rams’ defense to play “Cover 2” – a two-deep, five-under zone – which invites short passes but prevents big plays. That’s in theory at least. The Packers’ offense stayed patient – which is to say Rodgers stayed patient – and the run-pass balance was outstanding. “They basically played a lot of two-shell,” Rodgers said. “If we’ve got to throw with the quick game and run the football to win, we’ll do that.” The Packers’ future Hall of Fame quarterback said last week that the cold weather was Green Bay’s friend. That didn’t keep him from admitting he’s looking forward to playing in warmer temperatures. “It’s going to have to be a really good effort to go out there and win (at Miami),” Rodgers said. “It’ll be a nice weather change. Nobody’s going to be bummed that it’ll be 40 or 50 above what it is, at least, maybe 50 or 60 above what it is right now. We’ll be looking forward to getting back home to some cold weather and hopefully we’ll be 7-8.”
That begins with a singular focus on the Dolphins. The Vikings (11-3) and Lions (7-7) will have to wait their turn.
Meantime, they dispatched the defenseless Rams in convincing fashion.
Mayfield’s night can be summed up like this: Aaron Rodgers completed more passes (22) than the Rams’ quarterback attempted. Mayfield finished 12 of 21 for 111 yards with one touchdown and an interception. He fell short of the “seven interceptions” predicted by the Packers’ Jaire Alexander, but he was hit early and often by Preston Smith and Co.
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"Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada
"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help.
As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game,
particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "
-Kayle
"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time.
One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA.
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-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida
"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"
-Matt
"Hi Amy-
Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future!
Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol!
Go pack go!!"
-Julie Mastrianni
"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service.
My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it.
We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip.
Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."
-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN
"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."
-Frank Chavez, Sacramento
"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."
-Beverley Moore, Lancaster
"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"
-David Anastas, Worchester
"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."
-Dick Koerner, Neenah
"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."
-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario
"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."
-Sam Jones, Sedalia
"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."
-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor
"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."
-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly