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    • Xavier McKinney and Tucker Kraft star in the Packers’ 24-19 victory over the Rams
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    Xavier McKinney and Tucker Kraft star in the Packers’ 24-19 victory over the Rams

    Idris Bevan Posted on

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    INGLEWOOD, Calif. – In a tumultuous week, the Green Bay Packers took care of their business on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

    The Packers got off to a slow start but finished strong in the second half and defeated the Rams 24-19, improving their record to 3-2 on the season. Matt LaFleur is now 5-0 lifetime as he trained against his close friend and former coach Sean McVay.

    After trailing by a field goal at halftime, the Packers led for most of the second half. In the last two minutes they still needed a defensive attitude to secure the victory. Rookie safety Evan Williams got a pass breakup on a pass from Matthew Stafford to Rams receiver Colby Parkinson on a fourth-and-5 from the 38-yard line, sealing the victory.

    Here are some quick observations from the win:

    Xavier McKinney extends his interception streak to five straight games as he opens his career with the Packers

    Xavier McKinney might be the best safety in the NFL right now. Certainly after five games it’s hard to argue against him. McKinney intercepted a Stafford pass in the third quarter, his fifth straight game with an interception to start this season. The pick brought momentum to a game in which the Rams took a halftime lead with a field goal. The Rams were hovering near midfield when faced on 3rd and 10. With pressure on his face from an inside stunt by Karl Brooks, Stafford’s pass to receiver Tutu Atwell was negated. McKinney caught the ball with ease and returned it 28 yards, setting up a Packers touchdown drive that opened a 24-13 lead. McKinney struggled to recover early in the third quarter, giving the Packers a boost when they trailed 13-10, and all insights count. But McKinney’s series of interceptions became legendary. McKinney led the NFL in interceptions entering Sunday, and he will enter Week 5 maintaining that lead amid an incredible streak.

    Tucker Kraft blossomed into a star early in his career

    The Packers offense will have to address some concerns when receiver Romeo Doubs returns from his one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team next week. One thing is clear about their passing game: Tight end Tucker Kraft needs to be in the spotlight every week. Kraft had his best game of his impressive young career on Sunday, catching four passes for 88 yards, including a 66-yarder for a score, and two touchdowns. It was the first time in Kraft’s career that he scored multiple goals in a game. Kraft’s movement skills are special for a tight end who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 220 pounds. On his first touchdown, Love found Kraft wide open on the left side, and Kraft outran the Rams’ defense in the final 50 yards for a 66-yard touchdown. The next moment, Love threw a short pass to the left on second-and-goal, and Kraft cut through the defense to find the end zone. Kraft’s ability to turn simple plays into game-winning moments must continue to be a priority on offense.

    Rookie Edgerrin Cooper’s role is increasing

    After missing most of training camp, Edgerrin Cooper started his rookie season slowly, trying to make up for lost time. It appears the linebacker has made progress. Cooper played his most important role on Sunday, showing that his speed can be an asset in the middle of the Packers defense. Coordinator Jeff Hafley was creative with his young linebacker, even lining Cooper up above the A-gap in the second quarter. Cooper was in the middle of a five-man defensive line that included three defensive ends (Rashan Gary, Preston Smith and Lukas Van Ness) and Kenny Clark. At the snap, Cooper braked to the outside and sacked Stafford on third-and-16. The sack knocked the Rams out of field goal range and forced a punt. It was Cooper’s first full sack of his career, although he now has 1.5 to five games under his belt after a half sack in Week 3 at the Tennessee Titans. Cooper was praised for his versatility as a pass-rushing linebacker coming into the draft this spring out of Texas A&M, and he’s shown that early in his NFL career.

    Josh Jacobs returns to the role of workhorse running back in the Packers’ offense

    A week after splitting carries with backup Emanuel Wilson, the Packers abandoned their two-tailback system and fed Josh Jacobs throughout Sunday’s win. Jacobs finished the game with 73 yards on 19 carries, one shy of 20 carries, which would have been just his second game of the season. He opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run, his first in a Packers uniform, and outran the Rams defense to the right pylon. That 20-carry threshold should probably be a consistent benchmark for this Packers offense. The balance Jacobs provides when running the football is vital to the passing game, especially quarterback Jordan Love. Even though Jacobs didn’t quite reach 20, it was a significant improvement in their game plan compared to the week before, when Jacobs got just nine runs and Wilson eight. Wilson had just six carries on Sunday, a 3-to-1 ratio that’s better suited than an even split.

    Brayden Narveson had the best game of his young career and is in desperate need of a clean sheet

    For the first time in five games, rookie kicker Brayden Narveson had a clean slate without an asterisk next to his kick. Narveson officially had a clean slate in Week 3 against the Titans, but a defensive penalty negated a 48-yard miss that afternoon. There was no failure in Los Angeles on Sunday. Narveson made his only field goal attempt from 46 yards to end the half, bringing the Packers to a 13-10 deficit. He also made all three extra point attempts. Narveson had a rough week last Sunday, missing two field goals in a 2-point loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He could have a game to build on by splitting the posts on each of his four shots on Sunday.

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    Idris Bevan
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