5 takeaways from the Packers' decisive win over the Rams

3. The defense rose to the occasion in other moments too.

On the game's second drive, with the Packers already leading 7-0, they attempted a four-and-goal from the 4-yard line, but Green Bay got the stop.

Also late in the second quarter, the Rams were within field goal range until linebacker Quay Walker and Williams combined for a 6-yard loss on a pitch to running back Kyren Williams (22 carries, 102 yards). Two plays later, rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper got a sack and the Rams punted.

These missed points certainly played a role as the game progressed.

Williams played safety most of the game after the Packers switched their secondary in the absence of cornerback Jaire Alexander. Fellow rookie Javon Bullard moved to the position while veteran cornerback Keisean Nixon moved to the outside, while cornerbacks Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine (who returned from injury) also got their share of snaps.

“He’s another guy who’s very smart and instinctive and has a knack for the football,” LaFleur said of Williams.

“We have a big problem at the moment. We have a lot of guys that we think can play for us in the secondary, and the challenge is if we get everyone healthy, how do we get them all involved?”

4. The first half was a tough sledding game.

Running back Josh Jacobs (19 carries, 73 yards) scored his first touchdown as a Packer in the first quarter, set up by a 53-yard bomb to receiver Jayden Reed that he somehow caught with three defenders surrounding him.

“Not a great decision on my part, but when you have a playmaker like J-Reed, he's going to go up there and fix you up,” said Love, who went 15 of 26 for 224 yards.

Aside from that, though, the offense went for threes three times in the first half, and Love threw a pick-six while trying to avoid falling into the end zone for a safety. His off-balance throw was intercepted by safety Jaylen McCollough at the 4-yard line, resulting in an easy score and giving the Rams a 13-7 lead.

“Bad decision,” Love said matter-of-factly. “It depends on how you react and recover.”

To his credit, he responded and pushed the Packers to a field goal just before halftime, making the score 13-10.