GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The Green Bay Packers have had to learn tough lessons this year about how to finish close, winnable games. Put in that position again Sunday against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers and the Packers finally found a way. Jordan Love’s 24 yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs with 2:33 to play was followed by a pair of defensive stops that lifted the Packers to a lesson learned 23-20 victory in front of 77,432 sun drenched fans on a picturesque 45 degree November Sunday.
For Love, it was another big step, topping 300 yards for the first time in his career (the first 300 yard effort since Aaron Rodgers in December of 2021). All of his young receivers made plays including Christian Watson, a reassuring run to the corner of the end zone to chase down a pretty 11 yard fade route in the third quarter that gave the Packers a 16-13 lead. The two veterans grabbed the touchdowns but Dontayvion Wicks pulled in three balls for 91 yards, back up tight end Tucker Kraft nearly pulled off a 39 yard tight rope score but stepped out after gaining 27 yards to the 12 that set up Watson’s TD. Then there’s Jayden Reed. He caught 4 passes for 46 yards and matched that total on three end around runs including his 32 yard scoring dash on the first play of the second quarter.
The Packers defense knew it would be challenged by L.A.’s potent offense directed by Justin Herbert. He threw for 260 yards with touchdowns of 51 yards to Stone Smartt who first ran away from and then broke a tackle attempt of Jonathan Owens, and a 10 yard scoring strike to his favorite target, Keenan Allen who found a hole in zone coverage to give the Chargers their last lead at 20-16 with 5:24 to play. But Herbert was also victimized by a series of drops, tight end Donald Parham Junior on the opening drive, wide open down the middle on a 4th and 3 call. Allen had one go off his hands in the red zone early which led to Cameron Dicker’s 25 yard field goal to open the scoring. Another bounced off his chest on the opening series of the third quarter and LA again had to settle for a short three. Rookie Quentin Johnson got behind Carrington Valentine on L.A.’s final possession and couldn’t pull in what cold have been a 70 yard touchdown. The Chargers also committed the only turnover of the day. Racing to the red zone after the Watson touchdown in just four snaps, Austin Ekeler slipped getting the handoff at the 2 yard line. When he got up, Kenny Clark ripped the ball out and Rashan Gary recovered at the five.
This was a serious case of attrition for the Packers as well, not just from the key players who didn’t dress, but those who had to leave with injury. The Packers top five players in the secondary were all unavailable. The Rasul Douglas trade took care of one starting corner. Darnell Savage and Eric Stokes are still on injured reserve. Jaire Alexander and Rudy Ford were both inactive. Ford was doubtful with a bicep injury and Alexander was questionable with a sore shoulder but after warming up, it was decided he couldn’t go. That left the backups to deal with the Charger passing attack and while they gave up plays, the likes of Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine and Anthony Johnson were able to get their hands on a handful of pass breakups. The Packer pass rush also kept Herbert on the move. He had to bolt from the pocket 8 times and led the Chargers with 73 yards rushing. Rookie Karl Brooks got to him once and Gary came through with a sack on the next to last series of the game.
Even more problematic was having the running back room wiped out in a span of a couple of minutes. The Packers put together their longest drive of the season in plays, a 16 snap, 71 yard march to finish the half. Aaron Jones took a handoff into the pile off right guard for a two yard gain and couldn’t get up. He finally tried hobbling to the sideline but needed a couple of shoulders to reach the blue, medical tent. After an exam inside, he was carted to the locker room with a knee injury. On the ride, Jones draped his head with a towel and covered his face with his hands. After the game, Head Coach Matt LaFleur said he didn’t think it was significant and Jones said while this season has been one of tough breaks with a lingering hamstring pull, he might have caught a break with this one but his status for the short term is seriously in doubt. A handful of snaps later, backup Emmanuel Wilson took a swing pass to the sidelines for 9 yards but was yanked down and he needed a cart to the locker room with what was described as a shoulder injury, leaving only A.J. Dillon in the backfield. Dillon had 10 of his 14 carries in the second half but managed only 29 yards total.
Tight end Josiah Deguara was forced out with a hip injury and De’Vondre Campbell left in the 4th quarter with a stinger.
The Chargers were deal a blow early when their top pass rusher, Joey Bosa had to exit with a foot injury and he didn’t return. His edge mate, Khalil Mack was disruptive all day. He finished with 8 tackles, two for losses and a pair of sacks, one knocked the ball loose from Love but Zach Tom pounced to avert disaster on the eventual game winning drive. The Packers also rotated players at left tackle and right guard throughout the game. Rasheed Walker and Yosh Nijman took turns on the blind side and Jon Runyan was spelled by Sean Rhyan on a couple of series.
That the Packers overcame the never ending injuries and a fourth quarter deficit had LaFleur beaming over his 4th win of the year.
The Packers outgained the Chargers397-394. Love was solid despite getting sacked three times. He finished 27 of 40 for 322 yards and two scores for a rating of 108.5. Herbert was 21 of 26 for 260 yards, two scores, two sacks and a 99.3 rating. Doubs led with five catches for 53 yards and the game winning score. Reed, Dillion and Luke Musgrave each had four catches.
Allen, to no one’s surprise was Herbert’s top target with 10 receptions on 16 targets for 116 yards and a score.
Defensively, Jonathan Owens led with 8 tackles, Keisean Nixon, Campbell and Quay Walker all had 7.
Special teams had some issues, Anders Carlson missed a 52 yard field goal wide right and he also pushed an extra point to the right that forced the Packers to reach the end zone down four in the 4th. Nixon busted the opening kickoff return for 39 yards only to have the Packers start from their 8 when veteran safety Dallin Leavitt got called for holding and then compounded the issue by arguing with a referee for another 15 unsportsmanlike conduct flag. Punter Daniel Whelan averaged 48.3 yards on 4 punts with a 61 yarder and two downed inside the 20. The cover teams did a good job on dangerous L.A. returner Derius Davis.
The inactives were Alexander, Ford, Kyu Blu Kelly, Brenton Cox Jr., Caleb Jones and Samori Toure.
The Packer captains in the 1950’s throwback green were Love, Clark and special teams linebacker Kristian Welch who grew up just down the road in Iola.
Opportunities were lost against Las Vegas, Denver and Pittsburgh. This time, they finished and they’ll have virtually no time to enjoy it. A Thanksgiving Day date with NFC North leading Detroit awaits at Ford Field.
