Rodgers' 3 TDs Lead Packers Past Rams 30-20
By: Ryan Rodig
Updated: October 21, 2012
Aaron Rodgers passed for three touchdowns and the Green Bay Packers won back-to-back games for the first time in 2012 by beating the St. Louis Rams 30-20 Sunday.
Jordy Nelson had eight receptions for a season-high 122 yards and one TD while Randall Cobb added a pair of touchdown receptions for the Packers who improved to 4-3.
Rookie CB Casey Hayward made his first start in place of injured Sam Shields and recorded an interception for the fourth time in three games. Hayward leads NFL rookies and the Packers in interceptions.
Rodgers finished 30 for 37 for 342 yards and recorded his fourth 300-yard passing game this year. Rodgers connected with Cobb for a 39-yard score to put the game away for Green Bay with 3:06 to go in the 4th quarter.
Rodgers, who always talks about 3rd down conversions and red zone efficiency, finished 9 for 15 on 3rd downs and two for three inside the 20. Rodgers completed his first nine passes for 115 yards, including a 52-yarder to Nelson that set up a 3-yard TD for Nelson's fourth score in two games.
The Packers handed the Rams their first loss in the Edward Jones Dome where they had held opponents to fewer than 15 points a game this season before Sunday.
Green Bay played minus four starters on defense. Sam Shields (shin, ankle) and linebacker Nick Perry (knee) miss their first games since suffering injuries against Houston while defensive tackle B.J. Raji missed his second straight game with an ankle injury. Linebacker D.J. Smith was recently placed on injured reserve, and Brad Jones replaced him as the starter. CB Davon House (shoulder) was active for the first time this season.
Erik Walden led the Packers defense with eight tackles and recorded his first solo sack of the season.
St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford was 21 for 34 for 255 yards and an interception.
Green Bay continues to go to the bag of tricks on special teams Sunday when reserve LB Jamari Lattimore recovered an onside kick at the Rams 49 after the Packers scored their first TD of the game. That led to a 47-yard field goal by Mason Crosby for a 10-3 lead late in the first.
The Packers return to Lambeau Field next Sunday at noon to host the Jacksonville Jaguars. The game can be seen on Local 5.
