Packers High School is enjoying a healthy run of good fortune

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The three-game winning streak that the Green Bay Packers will begin on Sunday at Jacksonville Jaguars Stadium began in Week 5 with a victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.

What was the difference?

When Green Bay won in Los Angeles in Week 5, the Rams’ elite receiving tandem of Cooper Kupp (inactive, ankle) and Puka Nacua (injured reserve, knee) did not play due to injuries. Against the Vikings, Kupp and Nacua combined for 12 receptions for 157 yards and one touchdown, and Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes in a 30-20 win.

“That’s what you imagined when training camp started, and it was nice to have those guys back,” Stafford said.

“You can’t double-protect everyone on the team,” said receiver Demarcus Robinson, who scored two touchdowns against the Vikings after the Packers limited him to three catches for 28 yards.

The Packers have been very lucky this season, especially when it comes to pass-catching opponents.

Before the game against the Rams, they hosted a game against the Vikings in Week 4. Minnesota won 31-29 despite leading quarterback TJ Hockenson (knee) being on the physically unable to perform list.

After facing the Rams, the Packers returned home to face the Cardinals in Week 6. Starting right tackle Jonah Williams and guard Will Hernandez were sidelined with injuries, and standout rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. he suffered a concussion on his eighth snap of the game.

Week 7 is last week’s game against the Houston Texans. Stud receiver Nico Collins was on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Collins has missed the last 11 quarters of action and still ranks fifth in the NFL in receiving yards. Additionally, Jordan Love faced the defense, losing four starters.

The Jaguars could have their entire starting lineup on Sunday. Standout center back Foye Oluokun, who had more tackles than any other player in 2022 and 2023, is expected to return to the squad. Their receiving corps will be at full strength, with rookie Brian Thomas and veterans Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis. Additionally, tight end Evan Engram, who caught 114 passes last year, returned from injured reserve a few weeks ago.

“They have a lot of weapons,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Friday.

Next week, the Packers will face the juggernaut Detroit Lions in the first round. Speed receiver Jameson Williams, who is second on the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns and second in the NFL in yards per catch, will play the second and final game of his NFL suspension.

After a Week 10 bye and a Week 11 game against the Chicago Bears, the Packers will host the San Francisco 49ers. Christian McCaffrey may return to the starting lineup, but starting receiver Brandon Aiyuk is sidelined with a season-ending knee injury.

Injuries are a way of life in the NFL. The Packers beat the Colts and Titans last month with Jordan Love sidelined with a knee injury.

“No one is going to feel sorry for us,” LaFleur has said several times over the years as his team has struggled with injuries.

Still, Green Bay was incredibly lucky. There’s no doubt that played a factor in the Packers entering Sunday’s game ranked eighth in opponent passer rating (81.7) and 10th in opponent completion percentage (63.2 percent).

In the last three games, in which the Packers beat the Rams without Kupp and Nacui, the Cardinals without Harrison and the Texans without Collins, they scored the second-best rushing yards on every attempt at 5.2.

Regardless of the 2-5 record, Jacksonville will be a challenge. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has one of the highest passer ratings in the NFL over the last three weeks, and Thomas ranks among the top rookies with 30 receptions, 513 yards (17.1 average) and four touchdowns. He threw for at least 86 yards in four of seven games.

“He obviously poses a vertical threat to them,” said safety Xavier McKinney. “He’s a guy who has great hands and good speed. I think it helps their offense a lot and he’s another point guard to add to what they already have. They have a talented offense, man.

“We know they can win those games they just haven’t, but sometimes things just work out that way. But we know they have a very talented team and we have to make sure we play to our specifications so we can go out there, give our all and win the game.

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