NFC Game Of The WeekÂ
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers
Rams: They got off to such a strong start. After they defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, many people, myself included dubbed them as the team to beat in the NFC. At that time, they were displaying a prolific offense, a stingy defense and Matthew Stafford was a perfect fit for this Sean McVay offense. Let’s fast forward to the now. After a 7-1 start, they’ve now dropped their last two games. When they played the Titans, the Tennessee defense just bullied the Rams. Against the 49ers in week ten, they just didn’t bother to show up. At 7-3, the Rams are still looking up to the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. One thing I’ve noticed now compared to the beginning of the year is how Stafford is pressing. What I mean is he’s firing the ball all over the field just to get rid of it and when you press, turnovers occur. He isn’t taking care of the football in other words. The Rams offensive line is getting dominated upfront. There’s been no time for the quarterback to throw the football. Attacking the LA defense is simple. If you neutralize Aaron Donald somehow and someway, you can have a day against them. Their biggest weakness on defense is their linebacking group. The bye is over, they travel back to where their season ended in January hoping to get themselves back on track.
Packers: I had a feeling Sunday would be a trap game for them in week 11. The Minnesota Vikings have always played them tough and that was on display last week. Remember I kept saying that I was waiting for their defense to fold any day now? It happened in Minneapolis. Here’s the thing that stood out to me as I was watching that game. If a team continues to feed someone the ball, they will keep doing it until you can stop them. Kirk Cousins basically told them I’m going to keep throwing it to Justin Jefferson. For as much as the offense has been the engine of the team, the Packers defense is actually what’s been carrying them. In 11 games, they’ve allowed 22 or fewer points a total of eight times. Prior to the loss, they held the Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Seattle Seahawks to a combined total of 34 points. What I’m enjoying about their offense is how Aaron is spreading the ball around. Of course, Davante Adams is going to get his looks, but look at how some of the other weapons have stepped it up such as Marquez Valdes-Scantling. What’s hurting the Packers now is the injury bug. Aaron Jones is out, David Bakhtiari has yet to come back, they just lost Elgton Jenkins with a torn ACL and key guys are missing on the defensive side. They return back to Lambeau on Sunday.
Rams X-Factor: Van Jefferson– With Robert Woods out, he immediately became the number three receiving option behind Cooper Kupp and Odell. He’s only 6’1 but plays with the mentality of a possession receiver. The other receivers command so much attention, Van’s had the luxury of seeing man single looks from defenders. He’s consistent when you do all you can to get him the ball. As I said a few sentences ago, he will be used in that Woods capacity.
Packers X-Factor: Darnell Savage– I like the energy he brings to this Green Bay defense. In the back end of the secondary, Darnell is always playing center field and any ball that’s thrown up in the air, he feels as though he can always come away with it. As a defensive player, he can do multiple things. Versatility suits him well. He drops back in coverage, forces turnovers, and also can play in the box to stop the run or rush the passer and get home to the quarterback.
Final Thoughts: We have a heavyweight battle in the NFC here. The Rams are a much different team now than what we saw in the playoffs back in January. Jared Goff was quarterbacking L.A. and Aaron Donald was injured. All these months later, Stafford is now the starting quarterback and he knows a thing or two about playing at Lambeau dating back to his days in Detroit with the Lions. Both of these teams are known to have dominant offenses, the defenses on the other hand have both risen to the occasion. The news came out about Rodgers’ toe injury. Look for the Rams to test him early on and make him move. Force him to make throws on the run. Test him. Can the Green Bay pass rush get home to Stafford? That’s seemed to be the case in these last two losses for the Rams. We’ll also be getting part two of Jalen Ramsey against Davante Adams.
Prediction: Packers 24, Rams 20
