(AP) – The Green Bay Packers managed to pull out a road win in a week when their receiving depth took a major hit.
They hope that they will be stronger in this area in the future.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Monday he had a “productive” meeting with Romeo Doubs and expects the third-year receiver to be back with the team upon his return to the training Wednesday. The Packers gave Doubs a one match suspension for conduct detrimental to the team after he did not attend practice on Thursday or Friday.
“It’s a pretty isolated incident,” said LaFleur, who did not elaborate on his conversation with Doubs. “This has never happened to him before and I don’t expect it to happen in the future.”
Receiving depth was one of the Packers’ biggest strengths heading into the season, but Green Bay (3-2) suddenly lacked targets Sunday with Doubs suspended and Christian Watson out due to injury at the ankle.
The Packers’ leading receiver in their Victory 24-19 against the Los Angeles Rams, tight end Tucker Kraft had four catches for 88 yards. Jayden Reed was the best wideout, with four catches for 78 yards, but Green Bay’s other wideouts combined for just 46 yards receiving.
Jordan Love was 15 of 26 for 224 yards – including two touchdown passes to Kraft – but he also threw his first career pick. Love has thrown five interceptions in his three starts this season.
“It’s just about being smart with the ball, and I’ve got to do a better job with that,” Love said after the game.
That interception total is notable because Love did such a good job avoiding turnovers during his late-season surge last year, which earned him $220 million over four years. contract extension this summer. Love threw 21 touchdown passes with just one interception during a nine-game stretch that ended with the Packers 48-32. wild card playoff upset from Dallas.
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“I think every quarterback goes through that,” LaFleur said Monday. “We just have to continue to encourage him to take what’s there.” He always wanted to push the ball down the field, which I respect. One thing we always talk about is that sometimes you have to earn the right to get out there.
What works
For the second week in a row, the Packers dominated a team in the second half. After nearly coming back from a 28-0 deficit (it was 28-7 at halftime) in a game 31-29 loss to Minnesotathe Packers outscored the Rams, outscoring them 14-6 after halftime. They forced two more turnovers on Sunday and turned both into touchdowns. They have an NFL-leading 14 takeaways this season. … The offense showed its big-play ability, with Love throwing a 53-yard completion to Jayden Reed that set up a touchdown and a 66-yard completion to Kraft.
What requires work
The offense remains random. In the first half, the Packers only scored 10 points. They went on two straight drives in the fourth quarter, giving the Rams the ball with a chance to win in the final minutes. … The Packers allowed the Rams to rush for 134 yards on 28 carries. Kyren Williams gained 102 yards on 22 attempts.
Store
S Xavier McKinney intercepted a pass for the fifth straight game and recovered a forced fumble by Kingsley Enagbare. McKinney actually has an interception in six straight games, if you count the one he picked for the New York Giants in their 2023 season finale. The only other players since 1990 to have an interception in six games in a row were Carolina’s Doug Evans (2001), Minnesota’s Brian Russell (2003) and Dallas’ Trevon Diggs (2021). …S Evan Williams once again demonstrated his knack for delivering the game on the line when he covered Matthew Stafford’s fourth-and-5 incompletion to Colby Parkinson that sealed the victory for Green Bay. The rookie fourth-round pick also recovered an onside kick and intercepted a Hail Mary pass in the Green Bay ball. Victory 16-10 above Indianapolis.
Stock falling
WR Dontayvion Wicks was targeted seven times but only caught two passes for 20 yards. He has 10 receptions on 29 targets this season, while he caught 39 passes on 58 targets as a rookie last year. … DL Rashan Gary has gone four straight games without a sack. His only bag arrived in a defeat at season opener to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Injuries
CB Jaire Alexander (quadriceps/groin) missed a second straight game. …OL Jordan Morgan (shoulder) missed a third consecutive game. … WR Christian Watson (ankle) and DL Devonte Wyatt (ankle) were also out.
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Key number
400/100 — Reed had 78 receiving yards and 19 rushing against the Rams, bringing his season totals to 414 receiving yards and 110 rushing. He is the third player in the Super Bowl era and the sixth player all-time to have at least 400 receiving yards and 100 rushing yards through the first five games. The others are Wilbur Moore of Washington (1943), Frank Gifford of the New York Giants (1959), Timmy Brown of Philadelphia (1965), Paul Hofer of San Francisco (1980) and Roger Craig of San Francisco (1985).
Next steps
The Packers return home to face the Arizona Cardinals, who are coming off a 24-23 victory in San Francisco.
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