Los Angeles Rams: Defending Super Bowl champion officially eliminated from playoff contention after defeat in freezing conditions




CNN

The defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams was officially knocked out of the playoffs after losing to the Green Bay Packers 24-12 on a frosty night in Wisconsin on Monday.

As temperatures at Lambeau Field dipped to 15 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 9.44 degrees Celsius) with a wind chill of seven, the Rams’ playoff aspirations froze.

Injuries suffered by the Super Bowl champion — including star receiver Cooper Kupp, quarterback Matthew Stafford and defensive tackle Aaron Donald — ultimately proved too much for the Rams to overcome.

“I mean it’s been a real struggle in many cases, a lot of adversity that we’ve been through,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said after the game, per NFL.

Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield, after orchestrating a win from behind against the Las Vegas Raiders on his debut last week, struggled throughout, completing 12 of 21 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. He threw an interception and was sacked five times.

With three weeks left in the season, the Rams were tied with the 1999 Denver Broncos for the first elimination of any defending Super Bowl champion in history, according to NFL Research, as they slipped to 4- 10 this season.

“I think what we’ve seen from our guys is that they’re going to keep fighting, they’re going to finish these last three games the right way, with the right mindset and the right mentality, and we’re going to compete with the best of our ability,” McVay said, per NFL.

“That’s all I know how to do, and I hope that’s exactly what we do collectively as a group.

The Packers’ slim playoff hopes remain alive with victory as they improve to 6-8 this season.

Break away their goodbye, the team looked much more complete as its star players consistently shone against the Rams.

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 22 of 30 passes for 229 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the victory.

The Packers’ dynamic backfield duo of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon dissected LA’s run defense, combining for 126 yards on 28 carries. Dillon ran for two touchdowns while Jones had one in the air.

However, the Packers will likely need to win all of their remaining games to have any chance of making the playoffs, an unlikely feat for a team that has disappointed all season.

Rodgers walks off the field after the win over the Rams.

The Packers will face the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions over the final three weeks, but Rodgers sees no reason why they can’t lead the roster.

“I do. Yeah, I know. I do,” Rodgers said when asked if the Packers can win those three games. . Absolutely.”

Rodgers added: “They are all good football teams. Miami is playing for the playoffs. Minnesota Division winners and coming off a big win. Detroit won, what, six out of seven, they’re playing really well.

“So it’s going to be three tough games.”

malek

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