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

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

    The Packers got off to a slow start, but finished strong in the second half. They defeated the Rams 24-19 and improved their record to 3-2 on the season. Matt LaFleur is now 5-0 lifetime coaching against good friend and former boss Sean McVay.

    After trailing by a field goal at halftime, the Packers led for most of the second half. They still needed some defensive play in the final two minutes to seal the win. Rookie safety Evan Williams had a pass breakup on a Matthew Stafford pass 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 interception streak to five straight games to open his Packers career

    Xavier McKinney is arguably the best safety in the NFL right now. Certainly, after five games it’s hard to argue with him. McKinney intercepted a Stafford pass in the third quarter, marking the fifth straight game with an interception to start this season. The pick changed the momentum in a game the Rams led by a halftime field goal. The Rams drove close to midfield when facing third-and-10. With pressure in his face from an inside stunt by Karl Brooks, Stafford’s pass for receiver Tutu Atwell was overthrown. McKinney caught the football smoothly and returned it 28 yards, setting up a Packers touchdown drive that opened a 24-13 lead. McKinney had a fumble recovery earlier in the third quarter that left the Packers down 13-10, and all the takeaways are important. But McKinney’s interception streak becomes legendary. McKinney led the NFL in interceptions entering Sunday, and he leaves Week 5 maintaining that lead amid an incredible streak.

    Tucker Kraft blossomed as a star early in his career

    The Packers’ offense will need to be addressed when receiver Romeo Doubs returns from his one-game suspension next week for conduct detrimental to the team. One thing is very clear in their passing game: tight end Tucker Kraft needs to be in the spotlight every week. Kraft had his best game of an impressive young career 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 times in a match. Kraft’s movement skills are special for a 6-foot-4, 259-pound tight end. On his first touchdown, Love found Kraft wide open on the left side, and Kraft beat the Rams’ defense over the final 50 yards on a 66-yard touchdown. On the next, Love dumped a short pass to the left on second and goal, and Kraft sliced ​​through the defense to find the end zone. Kraft’s ability to turn simple plays into game-changing moments should continue to be a priority on offense.

    Rookie Edgerrin Cooper’s role continues to expand

    After missing most of training camp, Edgerrin Cooper got off to a slow start to his rookie season as he tried 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 up Cooper above the A-gap in the second quarter. Cooper found himself 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. In moments, Cooper bumbled out and sacked Stafford on third-and-16. The sack knocked the Rams out of field goal range, forcing a punt. It was Cooper’s first career full sack, though he is now 1.5 through five games after half a sack in Week 3 at the Tennessee Titans. Cooper was praised for his versatility as a linebacker entering the draft out of Texas A&M this spring, and he has shown that early in his NFL career.

    Josh Jacobs resumes his role as the workhorse in the Packers offense

    A week after splitting carries with backup Emanuel Wilson, the Packers ditched their two-tailback system and fueled Josh Jacobs throughout Sunday’s win. Jacobs finished with 73 yards on 19 carries, one shy of 20 carries for what would have been only his second game this season. He opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run, his first in a Packers jersey, beating 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 in running the football is essential to the passing game, especially quarterback Jordan Love. Even if Jacobs didn’t quite reach 20, it was a significant improvement in their game plan from a week ago, when Jacobs only got nine carries and Wilson eight. Wilson had just six carries on Sunday, a 3-to-1 ratio that fits better than an even split.

    Brayden Narveson is having the best game of his young career, a much-needed clean slate

    For the first time in five games, rookie kicker Brayden Narveson had a clean sheet with no asterisk next to his kick. Narveson officially had a clean sheet in Week 3 against the Titans, but a defensive penalty erased a 48-yard miss that afternoon. There was no Miss Sunday in Los Angeles. Narveson made his only field goal attempt from 46 yards out to end the half, bringing the Packers within 13-10. He also made all three extra point attempts. Narveson had a rough week last Sunday, missing two field goals in a two-point loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He could have a game to build on, splitting the uprights on each of his four kicks Sunday.

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