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Coming into today's game, Aaron Rodgers had been averaging 265 passing yards per game. Sunday was an outlier for the Green Bay Packers quarterback. He completed 25 of 31 passes for 429 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-24 win over the Oakland Raiders.
There were some other big performances in this contest. Green Bay receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling returned from injury with two receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown. Raiders tight end Darren Waller had seven receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie running back Jacob had 21 carries for 124 yards as well as three receptions for ten yards. Derek Carr completed 22 of 28 passes for 293 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Why the Packers won
Matt LaFleur called a fantastic game and he got everyone involved. The Packers could not be stopped and the Raiders were hurting their own chances, which will be discussed momentarily. Aaron Rodgers had a perfect passer rating (158.3). Tight end Jimmy Graham, running back Jamaal Williams, Kumerow and Valdes-Scantling each had a receiving touchdown. Green Bay scored 14 points following Oakland turnovers.
Why the Raiders lost
The Raiders were playing a good team on the road. They had to play a near perfect game and they did not. Oakland had two turnovers and nine penalties for a total loss of 97 yards. The offensive tackles really struggled in this game with Trent Brown watching from the sideline due to injury. The secondary really struggled as well. They missed tackles and assignments.
Turning point
The two teams were going back and forth but the true swing of momentum came late in the first half. Carr scrambled right on second down and reached his arm out as he approached the pylon. Instead of a touchdown or third down and goal to go, it was a touchback going the other way. Green Bay turned around and scored with less than a minute remaining. Wide receiver Jake Kumerow tight roped the sideline to make the score 21-10. At worst, it should have been 14-13 Packers at halftime.
Some of the day's biggest moments were determined by a matter of inches. In addition to those big plays, Jacobs was stopped inches short of the end zone on 4th and Goal. Wide receiver Geronimo Allison was later out of bounds by the same margin.
Play of the game
Jacobs had a few fantastic runs but this play gains the nod. He sheds contact, delivers a stiff arm and explodes off his plant foot. He showed the ability that led to his selection in the first round. The Alabama product changes direction and speeds so easily. The Raiders have a special player.
Stat of the game
On the CBS broadcast, Jim Nantz stated that Rodgers' 400 passing yards, five passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown had happened only two other times in league history: Rams quarterback Norm Van Brocklin (1951) and Redskins quarterback Mark Rypien (1991).
What's next
Green Bay travels to Kansas City to play a Chiefs team likely without quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Their bye week does not come until Week 11. The Packers improve to 6-1 and sit alone atop the NFC North.
The Raiders fall to 3-3 and remain in second place within the AFC West. It does not get any easier the next few weeks. They are on the road against the Houston Texans next week. The following week is a home showdown against the Detroit Lions. Oakland had their bye week in Week 6 after a win over the Chicago Bears in London.
