GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers’ three-game winning streak in Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars started with a victory against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5.

On Thursday night, the Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings.

What was the difference?

When Green Bay won at Los Angeles in Week 5, the Rams’ elite receiver duo Cooper Kupp (inactive, ankle) and Puka Nacua (injured reserve, knee) were out with injuries. Against the Vikings, Kupp and Nacua combined for 12 receptions for 157 yards and a touchdown, while Matthew Stafford caught four touchdowns in the 30-20 victory.

“This is what you dream about when training camp starts, and it’s great to have these guys back,” Stafford said.

“You can’t cover everyone on the team twice,” said Packers receiver Demarcus Robinson, who caught two touchdowns against the Vikings after being limited to three catches for 28 yards.

The Packers have had good luck this season, especially with opposing pass catchers.

They hosted the Vikings in Week 4 before facing the Rams. Minnesota won 31-29 despite tight end 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. The team, which had tackles Jonah Williams on the right side of the offensive line and guard Will Hernandez, were out with injuries and standout rookie player Marvin Harrison Jr. He suffered a concussion in the 19th minute. his eighth hit of the game.

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

Come Sunday, the Jaguars could have their entire starting lineup. Standout defenseman Foye Oluokun, who struggled more than any other player in 2022 and 2023, is expected to return to the lineup. The receiving corps will be at full strength, consisting of rookie Brian Thomas and seniors Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis. Additionally, 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 win Round 1 against the underwhelming Detroit Lions. Speed ​​receiver Jameson Williams ranks second on the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, second in the NFL in yards per catch, and will serve in the second and final game of his NFL suspension.

After the Week 10 bye and Week 11 match against the Chicago Bears, the Packers will host the San Francisco 49ers. Maybe running back Christian McCaffrey will return to the starting lineup, but freshman receiver Brandon Aiyuk is out 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 suffering a knee injury.

“Nobody’s going to feel sorry for us,” LaFleur said throughout the years when his team was plagued by injuries.

Still, Green Bay had a remarkable chance. That no doubt had something to do with the Packers entering Sunday’s game ranked eighth in opponent passer rating (81.7) and 10th in opponent passing percentage (63.2 percent).

Over the past three games, the Packers have beaten the Rams without Kupp and Nacua, the Cardinals without Harrison, and the Texans without Collins while ranking second in yards per attempt at 5.2 yards per attempt.

Despite its 2-5 record, Jacksonville will be tough. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has one of the highest passer ratings in the NFL over the past three weeks, and Thomas is among the rookie leaders with 30 receptions, 513 yards (17.1 avg.) and four touchdowns. He had at least 86 yards receiving in four of seven games.

“He clearly poses a vertical threat to them,” safety Xavier McKinney said. “He’s a guy with great hands and good speed. I think that helps the offense a lot and he’s another playmaker to add to the playmakers they already have. “They’ve got a talented offense, man.

“We know they’re capable of winning these games that they haven’t won yet, and that’s how things shake out sometimes. But we know they have a very talented team and we’ve got to make sure we protect our P’s and Q’s so we can go out there and win the game.”

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