8 standouts from the Packers’ Week 5 win over the Rams

JORDAN LOVE. JAYDEN REED.

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– NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

It was assumed that Reed would have a big week without Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. Well, that assumption ultimately proved correct, even though the Rams knew Reed was the most dangerous receiver on the field. Green Bay’s breakout player on offense finished the game with four balls for 78 yards, including an early Catch-of-the-Year candidate on the first offensive tackle. Love threw a deep ball to a well-covered Reed, who made an incredible catch despite having three Los Angeles defenders near him. The great play took the offense to the two-yard line and set up Josh Jacobs for his first touchdown as a Packer. Reed also had two rushing attempts for a total of 19 yards. After an excellent start to his second year, Reed’s presence is clearly felt every week.

Cooper gets a full sack for the first time in his career!#GBvsLAR pic.twitter.com/h038X9kU47

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 6, 2024

The more Cooper plays, the more his impact becomes felt, as the rookie linebacker makes at least one eye-catching play every week. This week, Cooper got free on a stunt in the second quarter and was able to sack Matthew Stafford on third down while also knocking the Rams out of field goal range. Cooper had another big moment rushing the passer as he forced Stafford into a rushing throw on the final fourth down attempt. Cooper still plays a rotational role, but it’s only a matter of time before Green Bay fully unleashes the rookie. In Sunday’s game against the Rams, he recorded a career-best five tackles, including a tackle for loss.

It’s still early, but Enagbare has arguably made the most noise among Green Bay’s edge rushers. Two weeks ago against the Tennessee Titans, he had a strip sack and on Sunday he forced another crucial fumble. Los Angeles was on the rise early in the second half until Enagbare knocked the ball out of Kyren Williams’ grasp. Turnover machine Xavier McKinney recovered the fumble. The Rams had gotten the ball to Green Bay’s 27, but the takeaway prevented them from extending their 13-10 lead.

POWER WILL NOT BE DENIED.

A 66-YARD TOUCHDOWN!#GBvsLAR pic.twitter.com/7cK5YPTP2o

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 6, 2024

The Packers got a great performance from Kraft, who led the team with 88 yards on four catches and also contributed two touchdowns. Kraft’s first touchdown came immediately after Enagbare’s forced fumble, when he found himself wide open down the field and completed a 66-yard catch-and-run touchdown to give the Packers the lead. On the next possession, Kraft found the end zone again on a tight end screen near the goal line. He’s starting to make a name for himself with his ability to chase the catch and continues to emerge as the top tight end in Green Bay.

Got back to the QB!#GBvsLAR pic.twitter.com/2bfGHrTCEY

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 6, 2024

The pass rush was once again inconsistent and non-existent at times until Brooks entered the game. With more playing time in place of the injured Devonte Wyatt, Brooks came into play when his team needed it most with 1.5 sacks in the fourth quarter. The first came on a critical third down when Brooks beat right tackle Rob Havenstein, who had done a good job against Rashan Gary. Brooks then made another play when he and Preston Smith came home on the final drive against Stafford. Surrounded by a number of first-rounders, last year’s 2023 sixth-round pick proved he could do it and definitely earned a few more snaps.

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The second-round pick from Georgia has settled well into his starting role opposite McKinney. He seems to be in the right spot most of the time and has shown some physical tackling ability in the first five games. Bullard set the tone for Sunday’s game when he flew downfield from the opposite side of the play to chase running back Kyren Williams for a one-yard stop. It’s a piece he’s performed several times this season. Bullard was in action most of the day, even on special teams, where he made excellent tackles in kickoff coverage. The rookie safety finished with eight tackles, his most since Week 1.

5️⃣ games in a row with an interception for Xavier McKinney!! An unreal start in GB for Year 5 security.

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– NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

Someone may need to examine McKinney’s hands for attraction to the ball. Green Bay’s playful confidence improved again with a day with two takeaways in Los Angeles. In addition to the fumble recovery, McKinney now has an unprecedented five interceptions in five games, making him the first Packers player to record a pick in each of his first five games with the team. The pick came while McKinney was streaking down the middle of the field on third down. Stafford tried to get the ball to receiver Tutu Atwell, only to find McKinney instead. The safety continued his All-Pro campaign with another strong performance and should be in the early discussions for Defensive Player of the Year.

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Considering how disappointing the Packers’ safety room was a year ago, three outstanding performances in one game is quite a turnaround. After coming through a training camp in which Williams was the talk of the rookies, we were finally able to see what he can do in an expanded role in LA. Williams recorded a team-high 11 tackles and provided good coverage, resulting in two pass breakups. Williams made the most of his opportunities in Week 5, particularly on Stafford’s final fourth-down throw that failed incomplete. Williams did an excellent job of covering the play and intercepted the pass intended for tight end Colby Parkinson. After Sunday, Williams definitely earned some more insight into the defense going forward.