Packers at Rams final score: Green Bay tops St. Louis 21-7

Aug 16, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) attempts a pass against the St. Louis Rams during the first half at Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) attempts a pass against the St. Louis Rams during the first half at Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Saturday afternoon, the St. Louis Rams played host to the Green Bay Packers in the first of seven games on the day. Behind a strong early performance from Aaron Rodgers and a solid defensive outing, the Packers defeated the Rams 21-7.

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Rodgers got the Packers off to a quick start, leading the team on a 12-play, 86-yard drive capped by a three-yard touchdown pass to Randall Cobb. After a Rams’ punt, Rodgers got back to work, leading the Packers on a 12-play, 80-yard drive. His second touchdown pass was called back for holding the Packers settled for a Mason Crosby field goal. That ended the day for Rodgers, who completed 11-of-13 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. Cobb made three receptions for 34 yards.

On the following drive, the Rams decided to give starter Sam Braford another chance to get into the end zone and he did just that. Bradford took the Rams 76 yards on eight plays and found tight end Lance Kendricks for an 11-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 10-7. Bradford went nine-of-12 for 101 yards and a touchdown, a very solid outing.

That ended the scoring until late in the third quarter when Matt Flynn found rookie Jeff Janis for a 34-yard touchdown. Flynn then found another rookie, Davante Adams, for the two-point conversion to put the Packers ahead 18-7. Janis, who has a great camp, finished with just the one catch while Adams had two receptions for 28 yards. The Packers added a field goal in the fourth quarter.  In total, the Packers rolled up 386 total yards while holding the Rams to just 216.

Rams’ rookie defensive end Michael Sam, the NFL’s first openly gay player, recorded the first sack of his career (and you can watch the play here). Fellow rookie Tre Mason had a rough day, finishing with just 30 yards on 12 carries. However, another rookie, safety Lamarcus Joyner, was impressive again, finishing with a game-high six tackles and a pass defensed.

The Packers will be back in action Friday night when they host the Oakland Raiders while the Rams will get back to work Saturday night when they travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns.