The Green Bay Packers secured a convincing 20-3 victory against the Los Angeles Rams in Week Nine, breaking a trend of less convincing wins. The defense played a pivotal role in the triumph, preventing the Rams from advancing inside the 35-yard line throughout the game. Notably, the offense demonstrated marked improvement. Aaron Jones contributed with a touchdown run in the second quarter, marking the Packers’ first first-half touchdown since Week Two. Quarterback Jordan Love showcased efficiency, completing 77% of his throws, throwing a touchdown, and avoiding turnovers.
Despite a couple of fumbles (one by Jones and one by Dontayvion Wicks), the overall performance was the most efficient the Packers have displayed since the fourth quarter of the Week Three game against the New Orleans Saints.
A significant factor in the offensive success was the commendable performance of the offensive line, which has faced considerable scrutiny. Even with Jon Runyan Jr. temporarily sidelined due to injury, second-year guard Sean Rhyan stepped in and played well.
During his media availability on Thursday, Rhyan shared lighthearted moments with reporters as he discussed his significant playing time, marking a notable milestone in his career.
Green Bay Packers Guard Sean Rhyan Sarcastically Calls Rams’ Star Aaron Donald an “Easy Opponent”
While Sean Rhyan didn’t see an extensive amount of playing time (15 snaps) due to Jon Runyan Jr.’s brief absence, it proved sufficient for him to face off against Aaron Donald, one of the premier interior defensive linemen in the NFL. Despite being on the field for just two passing plays, Rhyan managed to hold his ground, not allowing any pressure from Donald.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber, Rhyan expressed pride in his performance during media discussions, stating, “It felt good. It was kind of sudden, but it was good to get out there. I got to go up against an easy opponent – Aaron Donald, obviously. It was good. It was semi-fulfilling. It’s one thing to practice, but it’s another thing to go out there and play the game. I know I can go out there and go up against one of the best guys in the league on the defensive side of the ball.”
Despite the limited snaps, Rhyan played a significant role, particularly in run-blocking. Of the 15 plays he participated in, 13 were running plays, contributing to the offensive success and setting up Jordan Love’s touchdown pass to Luke Musgrave.
During today’s media session, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich acknowledged Sean Rhyan’s strong performance, stating, “He’s made a case for himself to be in that discussion,” particularly in the context of determining the best five offensive linemen for the team.
Given the Green Bay Packers’ recent struggles with third-round draft picks, the prospect of Rhyan emerging as an above-average NFL starter is exciting. With injuries affecting Jon Runyan and center Josh Myers, Rhyan may find himself with more opportunities in the near future.
As of the current injury report, Runyan is dealing with a neck injury that sidelined him from Wednesday’s practice, although he participated in a limited capacity on Thursday. Myers, on the other hand, suffered a knee injury during Wednesday’s practice and was limited in Thursday’s session.
Elgton Jenkins (knee) and Yosh Bijman (back) also appear on the injury report, underscoring the team’s current challenges with injuries in key positions.
Leave a Reply