Jordan Love throws a pair of TD passes in the second half to rally Packers past Rams 24-19

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Green Bay's Jordan Love could have wallowed in self doubt after throwing the first pick-6 of his career during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams. Instead, it ended up motivating the quarterback and his Packers teammates.

Love completed nine straight passes after the interception, including a pair of touchdown passes to Tucker Kraft in the second half as the Packers rallied for a 24-19 victory Sunday.

“The pick, it was a bad decision and it’s tough. But it's all about how you respond and bounce back,” said Love, who completed 15 of 26 passes for 224 yards in his second start since missing two games with a knee injury.

The Packers trailed 13-7 late in the second quarter after Jaylen McCollough intercepted Love's off-balance attempt to throw the ball away and ran it in from 4 yards. But Love, a California native who grew up in Bakersfield, led Green Bay (3-2) to points on its next three drives and benefited from a pair of turnovers to beat the Rams (1-4) for the ninth time in their last 10 regular-season meetings.

“I think that drive, when you throw a pick-6, that’s never fun. But to be able to take us down there in the 2-minute drive and get some critical points when points were really tough to come by, I just think that’s what he’s all about,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “And when you get a bunch of tough-minded guys I think that kind of just manifests itself and it’s contagious.”

Kraft had four receptions for a career-best 88 yards. Two plays after Xavier McKinney recovered a fumble by Rams running back Kyren Williams and returned it 7 yards to the Green Bay 30, Love connected with Kraft for a 66-yard touchdown to give the Packers a 17-13 lead.

Kraft caught the ball at the Rams 49, stiff-armed Rams cornerback Darious Williams at the 30 and eluded a diving tackle attempt near the left sideline by Quentin Lake at the 20 before reaching the end zone.

“Excellent play call. We had that set up when we were coming in for our second-half adjustments,” Kraft said. “We liked the defense they were giving us in second-and-medium. We dialed it up and we executed.”

After McKinney became the first player since the 1970 merger with an interception in each of his first five games with a team, Kraft completed a seven-play drive when he scored from 7 yards out for the first two-TD game of his career.

“Those were plays that we need and that’s complementary football. And we did that very well today. I'm glad the offense went down and was able to score,” McKinney said about the turnovers.

Josh Jacobs had 19 carries for 73 yards and scored his first TD with the Packers in the first quarter on a 2-yard run around right end.

The Rams are off to their worst start since moving to Los Angeles in 2016. The last time they dropped four of their first five to start the season was when they were in St. Louis in 2014.

“I think we’ve got to be able to finish games and play consistently throughout. I mean, you look at it, we’re a 1-4 football team," coach Sean McVay said. "Three of those four losses come down to one-possession games. ... But this is football, this is where we’re at.”

Kyren Williams had 102 yards rushing on 22 carries and scored for the eighth straight game when he plowed in from 1 yard in the second quarter to even it at 7. Williams has the longest TD streak by a Rams running back since Greg Bell scored in 10 straight during the 1988 and ’89 seasons.

Matthew Stafford’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson — the 2-point conversion attempt failed — with 3:30 remaining pulled the Rams within 24-19.

Los Angeles forced Green Bay to punt on the ensuing possession and took over on their own 29 with 2:57 remaining. The Rams drove to the Packers 38, but Stafford was unable to connect with Colby Parkinson on fourth-and-5 with 1:01 remaining.

“I thought our defense did a great job stepping up in the second half, made some plays to give us chances to get the ball back late in the game. We just didn’t do quite enough with it,” said Stafford, who was 29 of 45 for 260 yards with a touchdown and interception.

Love's first pick-6 came on his 761st pass. On third-and-12 at the Packers 8, Love was flushed out of the pocket when Byron Young came in unblocked on a blitz. Love scrambled to the back of the end zone and was knocked off balance when he tried to throw it away.

Instead, McCollough was able to intercept the desperation throw and scored. Joshua Karty's extra-point attempt was blocked, which kept it at 13-7.

“All week, we were scheming on their chipper protection, we seen that a lot," McCullough said. "So it was just a great play by B.Y., great pursuit by the D-line, and I was just in the right place at the right time.”

Love said he was trying to throw it out of bounds and should have just aimed for the ground.

“Try and get it past the line of scrimmage, just not put it in harm's way. Not try and make a bad play worse,” he said. “But, looking back on it, a safety is definitely better than a pick-6.”

Jacobs’ score was set up one play earlier when Love and Reed combined for a highlight-reel play. On second-and-10 at the Packers 45, Love completed a 53-yard pass to Reed in a tight window near the left sideline. Reed hauled it in despite three Rams defenders in the vicinity, including Lake all over Reed’s back.

Packers: Host Arizona next Sunday.

Rams: On their bye next week before hosting Las Vegas on Oct. 20.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Curl (3) grabs Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney (29) attempts to intercept a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell (5) is brought down by Green Bay Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine (24) during a two-point conversion attempt in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Los Angeles Rams safety Jaylen McCollough (39) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur, left, and quarterback Jordan Love (10) celebrates a touchdown by running back Josh Jacobs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) makes a catch against Los Angeles Rams safety Quentin Lake (37) and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (4) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, left, scores a touchdown as he is defended by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) breaks up a pass against Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (15) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (15) catches a pass over Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) is grabbed by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young (0) and defensive tackle Kobie Turner (91) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nick Castellanos sometimes amazes himself with intuition he can win a game on the final swing.

As he approached the plate with two outs in the ninth inning, with two runners on and the score tied, Castellanos had a hunch he could win Game 2 of the NL Division Series for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Even in the face of an 0-2 slider against Mets reliever Tylor Megill.

“I did like that pitch when I saw it,” Castellanos said.

As Phillies fans unleashed a throaty roar that echoed outside Citizens Bank Park, it was clear they liked that pitch, too.

Castellanos ripped a winning single that scored Trea Turner and sent the Phillies to a dizzying 7-6 win over New York on Sunday and evened the NLDS at one game apiece.

“I said to the guys, Rocky would be proud,” postseason star Bryce Harper said. “Never-die mentality. Just a great game.”

This win meant more than any fictional tale.

Castellanos, who led the major leagues this season with four walk-off hits, tossed his helmet and was mobbed by teammates on the infield as a game that seemed to slip away one inning earlier turned into one more comeback for the NL East champions.

He ran over to his son, Liam, a steady presence at the ballpark during his tenure, and the two exchanged a big “Let's Go!”

“When I'm old and no one cares about me as a baseball player anymore, we’re going to be home and be able to remember and look back at that,” Castellanos said.

His performance in Game 2 will live long in Philly sports lore. Castellanos had two big swings and misses in the fourth inning for an 0-2 count. He didn’t bite on a sweeper in the dirt and mouthed his displeasure when he heard boos from fans.

His tying homer in the sixth made it 4-all, and Castellanos scored the go-ahead run on Bryson Stott's two-run triple in a three-run eighth that put Philadelphia ahead 6-4.

“He came up big for us a lot this year,” Stott said. “It feels like every walk-off hit is Nick, and that’s who he is. And his heart rate doesn’t get up, stays the same. And gets the swing off.”

Megill retired the first two batters of the ninth and walked Turner and Harper, who also homered and scored twice. Castellanos followed with the Phillies’ fifth career postseason walk-off hit.

“Just made a bad pitch, backed up on me,” Megill said.

After falling behind 0-2, Castellanos took a ball in the dirt, then pulled a hanging slider into left and sparked the towel-waving crowd at the ballpark into a frenzy.

“Unbelievable. Unbelievable,” Castellanos said. “If he blows a fastball by me, so be it. I’d rather that than swing at something in the dirt. It was incredible but the series is even. Now we go to New York and there’s a lot of baseball left.”

Game 3 is Tuesday in New York, the Mets’ first home game since Sept. 22.

“No excuses. It’s been hard, but here we are,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I’m just looking forward to get back to Citi Field.”

In just the second postseason game between the NL East rivals, the Mets and Phillies were pushed from pillar to post over the final four innings, each game-changing swing topped by one even more emotional.

Mark Vientos hit a pair of two-run homers for the Mets, who got solo shots from Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo.

“I think we put on quite a show for everybody in attendance and everybody watching on TV,” Nimmo said.

Harper's two-run homer and Castellanos' solo drive in a three-pitch span from Luis Severino sparked the Phillies' comeback from a 3-0, sixth-inning deficit.

“Missed my location and paid for it,” Severino said.

After Nimmo's seventh-inning homer off Orion Kerkering gave New York a 4-3 lead, Stott lined a go-ahead, two-run triple down the right-field line on his 27th birthday after Harper walked and Castellanos singled off Díaz in the eighth.

“He threw a slider that I thought I could finally hit, and was able to pull it down the line,” Stott said.

Díaz, who has a 9.37 ERA at Citizens Bank Park, threw 104 pitches in three outings over a seven-day span.

Díaz faulted his approach to Harper, saying “I think I was a little bit lazy to him instead of attacking him.”

J.T. Realmuto's grounder scored Stott for a 6-4 lead, but Vientos hit a two-run homer off Matt Strahm, an All-Star lefty who failed the Phillies for a second straight game.

Harper — who wore a “Showman” headband — snapped the Phillies out of their offensive malaise when he drove Severino's fastest pitch of the day, a 99 mph fastball, 431 feet into the shrubbery in dead center as fans roared.

“That was sick,” Harper said. “Best fanbase in the world.”

Phillies fans were still going wild when Castellanos followed with a tying homer to left-center, then sprinted around the bases.

Now it's off to New York.

“Both teams, man,” Harper said. “Punch for punch.”

UP NEXT

Phillies RHP Aaron Nola and Mets LHP Sean Manaea start in Game 3.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo reacts after hitting a home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering during the seventh inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo reacts after hitting a home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering during the seventh inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso reacts after hitting a home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher José Ruiz during the sixth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo (9) celebrates with Pete Alonso after hitting a home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering during the seventh inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

New York Mets' Mark Vientos reacts after hitting a two-run home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm during the ninth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New York Mets' Mark Vientos hits a two-run home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm during the ninth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New York Mets' Mark Vientos celebrates hitting a two-run home run against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm during the ninth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos reacts after hitting a one-run single against New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill during the ninth inning to win Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos celebrates with Kyle Schwarber and teammates his one-run single against New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill during the ninth inning to win Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos celebrates with teammates his one-run single against New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill during the ninth inning to win Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper follow through after hitting a two-run home run against New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino during the sixth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper reacts after hitting a two-run home run against New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino during the sixth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos (8) celebrates with Bryce Harper after hitting a home run against New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino during the sixth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos celebrates after the Phillies won Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the New York Mets, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh, right, pours water over Nick Castellanos, center while he is interviewed after the Phillies won Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the New York Mets, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos celebrates his one-run single against New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill during the ninth inning to win Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, left, and Nick Castellanos celebrate after scoringon a two-run triple hit by Bryson Stott during the eighth inning of Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the New York Mets, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)