Just prior to Week 14, the Los Angeles Rams, who had just lost quarterback Matthew Stafford to a season-ending injury, picked up recently released QB Baker Mayfield.
The Rams were merely taking a flyer on him, especially considering their playoff hopes had all but vanished, but he put forth a Hollywood-style debut by leading his new team to a 17-16 last-minute win after it trailed by 13 points in the fourth quarter.
But on Monday, Mayfield came back to earth as the Rams were defeated 24-12 by the struggling Green Bay Packers, who had lost seven of their previous nine games.
The former No. 1 overall pick went just 12 of 21 and threw an interception while getting sacked five times, and fans have realized that he has a long way to go if he is to resurrect his career and reputation.
@bakermayfield what a great game on national television last night (lol) 12/21 111 yards 1 INT and SACKED 5 TIMES. Lol!! Great game loser @bakermayfield lol!!
— TS (@TJS33) December 20, 2022
woke up to baker mayfield still being baker mayfield. i told y’all purdy is better 🥱
— 𝚌ʀ𝕪𝚜; (@crystalscuor) December 20, 2022
The loss means that Los Angeles had been officially eliminated from being able to compete for a playoff spot, as it now holds a 4-10 record.
The Packers, on the other hand, improved to 6-8 after this contest, which keeps their playoff hopes alive, albeit in faint fashion, as they trail the Washington Commanders for the final NFC wild-card spot by 1.5 games.
Packers fans are pleased, as their team has looked dead in the water for much of this season.
Big win for the #Packers tonight, 24-12. Matt LaFleur told his guys to enjoy this one, but it’s a one game season here on out.
Green Bay is not out of the playoff hunt yet. 1.5 back of the Commanders with 3 games to go, starting with a trip to Miami next week. #LAvsGB @WQOW pic.twitter.com/Ld6I10bKMd
— Evan Hong (@EvanHong18) December 20, 2022
Green Bay Will Have Its Work Cut Out For It
If the Packers are to reach the postseason, they will likely have to win each of their three remaining games, as well as get lucky and witness some losses to teams such as the Commanders and Seattle Seahawks.
Green Bay has a tough schedule remaining, as it will face the explosive Miami Dolphins on the road on Christmas Day before hosting their rival Minnesota Vikings, who have an 11-3 record, on New Year’s Day.
Aaron Rodgers and company will then close the regular season at home versus the 7-7 Detroit Lions, a team they will have to leapfrog to make the playoffs.
