Packers vs. Rams: Instant Grades and Analysis for St. Louis

The St. Louis Rams (3-4) suffered their first home loss of the season to the Green Bay Packers (4-3). 

Aaron Rodgers was able to pick apart the Rams secondary with uncanny precision, and the St. Louis defense simply did not have an answer for him. 

Meanwhile, despite a fourth-quarter surge of offense, the Rams offense was completely anemic through the first three quarters.  

Read on for game grades and analysis. 

Final 

Rams 20, Packers 30

Quarterback: C

Overall: C

Fourth Quarter: A

Sam Bradford was 10-for-15 for 148 yards and a touchdown in the final quarter, so there was definitely a clear improvement over the third quarter.

Sam Bradford was making plays in the final quarter, it’s just unfortunate that the defense didn’t give him an opportunity to win the game. 

Third Quarter: F

Sam Bradford is 1-for-3 with an interception so far this half. He has not been a difference maker, and now he’s starting to hurt the offense. 

Second Quarter: B+

On the last play of the first quarter, Sam Bradford was able to avoid the blitz during a flea flicker and hit Chris Givens for a first down, but the offense was unable to produce points on that drive.

Bradford was 2-for-5 in the first quarter but improved to 8-for-10 in the second, which is a result of the newly found rhythm with the receivers that needs to continue in the second half.

Overall, a much better performance out of Bradford, who is now completing 75.0 percent of his passes thanks to his second-quarter performance. 

First Quarter: D

Sam Bradford missed an open Lance Kendricks on his first two attempts of the game, but he was then able to hit Brandon Gibson 15 yards down field for a key first down. 

Bradford took a shot at the end zone on the second drive, but receiver Austin Pettis fell down, which nearly resulted in an interception.

So far, Bradford is not in rhythm with is receivers and had been inaccurate. He needs to get it together.  

Offense: D+

Overall: D+

Fourth Quarter: B-

The offense looked more determined in the final quarter, starting with a 56-yard pickup by Chris Givens, who has really developed into a big-play target.

Givens’ pickup set up a beastly six-yard touchdown run by Steven Jackson.

They also managed to put together a touchdown drive to finish the game, but that was in garbage time after the game was already lost. 

The killer was the second drive of the quarter, when they needed to put something together to keep them in the game, but they were unable to get it done. 

Third Quarter: F

Brit Miller dropped a pass when the nearest defender was 10 yards away.

Meanwhile, Joseph Barksdale was destroyed by Clay Matthews and a play that resulted in a sack, while the run game hasn’t been effective in the second half.

The biggest offensive gain this half was the helmet-to-helmet penalty delivered on Steven Jackson. 

Second Quarter: C+

The offense has been able to maintain a solid run game after picking up 93 yards on 16 carries in the first half (5.8 yards per carry).

In the passing game, Brandon Gibson has been the primary target and has four catches for 55 yards, while Chris Givens and Austin Pettis have also had key receptions.

The problem has been maintaining drives. The offense just completely hits a brick wall after crossing the 50, which has made it difficult to produce points. 

First Quarter: C

The Rams offense began the quarter with inconsistency. 

A reverse to Chris Givens gave them a first down, while an overthrown ball to Lance Kendricks forced a punt. 

On the second drive, Brandon Gibson came up with a 15-yard reception that set up a field-goal, but overall the offense is looking stale. 

Defense: F

Overall: F

Fourth Quarter: F

The offense finally got it together in the final quarter and was able to punch in a touchdown to make it a one-score game.

Following the touchdown, the Rams defense was given the responsibility of forcing a stop and getting Sam Bradford the ball back.

Not only did they not get the stop, but they looked just as pathetic as they did in the third quarter. They didn’t even slow down the Green Bay offense, as Aaron Rodgers effortlessly threw his third touchdown of the game. 

Third Quarter: F

The Packers started the quarter by marching downfield for a touchdown basically untouched and unchallenged in any way whatsoever.

Aaron Rodgers is completing over 90.0 percent of his passes with only two incompletions.

And just when it looked like they were going to get a stop following Sam Bradford's interception, Chris Long jumped offsides. Long has been invisible all game, so apparently he wanted to contribute something.

The defense has been pathetic. 

Second Quarter: C+

The defense was able to prevent Green Bay from scoring in the second quarter, but that doesn’t mean it’s all good news.

The defense only forced on incompletion in the first half, while penalties and big plays have been the difference in the game.

The pressure is there, but the secondary has been abused by the Green Bay receivers, so the grade stays the same.

First Quarter C+

The defense had an amazing start on the first drive after Robert Quinn sacked Aaron Rodgers and the Rams forced a three-and-out. 

They weren't as lucky on the second drive—Janoris Jenkins gave up a deep ball to Jordy Nelson, and after two defensive penalties in the red zone Rodgers hit Nelson for a touchdown. 

The defense is applying pressure, but penalties and poor coverage have killed them. 

Special Teams: B

Overall: B

Fourth Quarter: A

Again, the special teams was not a factor in the fourth quarter.

Third Quarter: A

Other than a John Hekker punt and Greg Zuerlein kickoff to start the half, special teams has not been a factor. 

How do you grade that? Lets just keep it an 'A' so Rams fans aren't totally depressed. 

Second Quarter: A

Greg Zuerlein hit his second field-goal of the game—a 40-yarder near the end of the quarter.

It’s clear that Zuerlein has been able to maintain his confidence despite his disaster game a week ago. 

First Quarter: D

John Hekker had a solid punt on the first drive, which pinned the Green Bay offense inside the five-yard-line. 

And Greg Zuerlein was able to nail a 50-yard field-goal, so we can assume his mind is right after missing three field-goals against Miami a week ago. 

Special teams was looking good, until the kickoff return team failed to secure an onside attempt by Green Bay, spoiling the grade for everyone. 

Coaching: D

Overall: D

Fourth Quarter: D+

Who came up with the defensive game plan?

Aaron Rodgers completed 83.3 percent of his passes while finding the end zone three times. The Rams had no answer for the Green Bay offense.

And while the offensive coaches were able to make decent adjustments in the fourth quarter, the offense was still pitiful overall. Scoring 13 points (plus one garbage time touchdown) does not get it done in the NFL, or any other league.

Third Quarter: F

The team looks dead, unprepared and overwhelmed.

On top of that, if they had kicked the field-goal instead of going for it on fourth down in the opening half, it would still be a one-score game.  

Second Quarter: C

The coaching staff decided to go for it on fourth down rather than kick the field-goal, and of course they didn’t convert.

When it’s early in the game and the score is 10-3, taking the points should have been the decision. The score would be 10-9 by now had they just kicked it. 

On the bright side, the effort from the players improved in the second quarter.

First Quarter: C-

The kickoff return team was not expecting an onside kick at all, while the defense has been playing undisciplined football. 

At this point, the team doesn't look remotely prepared for this game.