 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Green Bay vs. St. Louis
11/9/97 - Packers Win 17-7
The Packers' found the St. Louis Rams' modest, 2-7 record somewhat deceptive in their latest assignment. Required to be content with a narrow 3-0 lead at halftime, they made a few "adjustments" during the intermission and were able to put a pair of touchdowns on the board in the second half to close out the day with a 17-7 victory.
 |
| There is no escape from Gilbert Brown |
It was a scoreless deadlock until only 4:02 remained in the second quarter, when Packers placekicker Ryan Longwell ended the drought with a 44-yard field goal, capping a 5-play, 51-yard drive.
After the coaching staff worked its magic at halftime, the Packers came out and, in effect, settled the issue, driving 80 yards in 7 plays to their first touchdown, following the second half kickoff. After a drive-opening pass, intended for Robert Brooks, fell incomplete, Favre completed four in a row -- including a 25-yarder to fullback William Henderson and an 18-yarder to tight end Mark Chmura -- a parlay which carried the Green and Gold all the way to the Rams' 26-yard line.
Levens had to settle for a yard at right end but, on the next play, Favre's bullseye found Freeman in the end zone for the score, with only 3:34 elapsed in the third quarter. Longwell's conversion gave the Packers a 10-7 lead and, as subsequent events unfolded, it was all the points they were to need.
(385K) |
Packers Radio Network with the call!
Freeman's spectacular TD catch! |
The Rams, however, were not inclined to concede. With Mark Rypien holding forth at quarterback when starter Tony Banks was sidelined with a back strain, they swept 75 yards in 14 plays to score following the ensuing kickoff, running back Lawrence Phillips finishing off the drive with an 8-yard run off the right side of the St. Louis line.
To their credit, the Packers then promptly responded in kind, charging 79 yards in 9 plays for their final touchdown of the day. Favre, who completed a 45-yard bomb to Freeman en route, scored this one himself. With third-and-goal at the Rams' 7-yard line, he was unable to find a receiver open and, taking matters into his own hands, scrambled into the end zone for the score, cutting back against the grain to reach the end zone.
(280K) |
Packers Radio Network with the call!
Favre runs it in for a TD! |
An exchange later, the Rams found themselves with a glittering opportunity to close the gap, by way of a 62-yard pass-run maneuver worked by Rypien and running back Amp Lee, an effort which flew the Missourians to the Green Bay 31-yard line. The Green Bay defense rose up, however, forcing the Rams to be content with a 36-yard-field goal attempt, one which saw Jeff Wilkins' 36-yard attempt veer wide left.
 |
| Bernardo Harris blocks a Rams field goal attempt |
Offensively, the Packers' 387-yard production was their third-best of the season, ranking behind only their season-high 396 yards against the Lions September 28 and their 392 yards against Miami September 14.
The Green Bay defense, with Coordinator Fritz Shurmur shrewdly blending a variety of "looks," held the Rams to an average of 2.6 yards per rush (66 yards in 25 attempts) and sacked St. Louis quarterbacks 4 times for 32 yards in losses -- Eugene Robinson, LeRoy Butler, Santana Dotson and a "combo," Seth Joyner and Keith McKenzie, doing the honors.
Butler, who showed the way to his colleagues with 9 tackles, also had a second sack voided by a penalty.
Scoring Summary
- 1st Quarter
- None
- 2nd Quarter
- G.B.: 44 yard Longwell FG (4:02)
- 3rd Quarter
- G.B.: 25 yard TD pass; Favre to Freeman (Longwell kick) (11:26)
- STL: 8 yard Phillips TD run (Wilkins kick) (3:31)
- 4th Quarter
- G.B.: 7 yard Favre TD run (Longwell kick) (14:53)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
