The NFC rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Rams franchise has produced multiple memorable ties over the years. The teams have met a total of 95 times and look to make it outing No. 96 on Saturday when they face off in the Divisional Round.
The two teams though have only ever met twice before in the Playoffs. In 1967, it was the Packers who came out winners. But their most recent playoff outing in 2002, was one that still lives fresh in the minds of Rams fans.
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A night to forget for the Green Bay Packers
Known as the St Louis Rams back in ‘02, the franchise played host to the Packers in the 2001 Divisional Round tie courtesy of being the higher seed.
With both teams harboring Super Bowl ambitions, the two sides were eager to land a spot in the NFC Championship game.
Led by the legendary Brett Favre, the Packers were looking to cause an upset at the Dome. But what followed was a thoroughly one-sided affair in favor of the Rams. The Rams slumped to a 45-17 loss. Which is to date their biggest defeat in a playoff game.
Favre’s volatility exposed
The reason behind the Green Bay Packers’ dismantling could really be pinned on one player. Brett Favre. After a fairly decent start in the opening drive, the Packers tumbled like a pack of cards.
And the pressure was just too much for the veteran quarterback. Throwing a playoff record, 6 interceptions, Favre had a nightmare outing at the Dome in a game where the Rams defense reigned supreme.
Record for most INTs thrown by a QB in a playoff game:
6…the last do it was Brett Favre on Jan. 20, 2002 in the NFC Divisional round, where the Packers lost 45-17 to the then-St. Louis Rams.
— Chris Arnold (@ChrisArnoldKSN) January 11, 2021
To make matters worse, 3 of his turnovers were converted into touchdowns to put the Rams well beyond the reach of the Green Bay Packers.
The Rams ended up making the Super Bowl that year, but narrowly fell short of winning it all by losing to the New England Patriots.
The win helped the Patriots clinch their first-ever Super Bowl win. And interestingly so, a key reason for their success was a young quarterback named Tom Brady.
When the LA Rams take on the Packers on Saturday, it’ll have certain themes similar to that of the ‘02 game. One of the league’s best defenses taking on a veteran quarterback looking to win another Super Bowl ring.
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