Dairyland Express
Fansided

Green Bay Packers: Quick Reactions to Upcoming Divisional Matchup with Rams

By Paul Bretl

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

It is now set; the Green Bay Packers will face the Los Angeles Rams next week. Here are some quick reactions to the upcoming matchup.

The NFC Divisional Round is set, and the Green Bay Packers will host the six seeded Los Angeles Rams, who went into Seattle over the weekend and took care of the Seahawks. And did so pretty convincingly, might I add.

There will be plenty of time this week to really dive into the matchup between these two teams, and I will certainly do that. But for now, I wanted to give my initial thoughts on this upcoming game.

  • The Green Bay Packers had the NFL’s No. 1 scoring offense, and they will be up against the NFL’s top-scoring defense. The Rams allowed just 18.5 points per game this season and rank fourth overall by DVOA.
  • Green Bay’s OL better come ready to play against this Rams’ defensive front. Los Angeles is third in total pressures, first in sacks, and fourth in rushing yards allowed per carry.
  • As we all know, Aaron Donald is someone who can absolutely wreck this game. Against Tampa Bay and in the second half against Carolina, we’ve seen what happens to this offense when the OL struggles.
  • Because of this, Lucas Patrick is going to be a very important player at right guard, as is the quick passing game, which is a staple of the Matt LaFleur offense.
  • Jalen Ramsey vs. Davante Adams is sure going to be a lot of fun. Grab your popcorn, everybody.
  • With the overlap between the LaFleur system and Sean McVay’s, along with the fact that LaFleur was McVay’s offensive coordinator for a season, these two teams are going to be familiar with each other despite being somewhat uncommon opponents.
  • RB Cam Akers is a focal point of this Rams’ offense. He has at least 20 carries in four of the last five games, with 28 and 29 carries in two of those games.
  • Injuries will be something worth keeping our eyes on this week. The Rams are “hopeful” that Donald will play while Cooper Kupp’s left Saturday’s game with a  knee injury, but fortunately, it doesn’t appear to be serious. And Goff still isn’t too far removed from thumb surgery.
  • I’m sure we all remember Leonard Floyd from his time in Chicago, but he’s had a resurgence this year with Los Angeles. Floyd has recorded 10.5 sacks and 52 pressures.
  • The Rams did turn the ball over 25 times this year, which was the eighth-most in football.
  • We’ve seen the Green Bay Packers get to the quarterback with more consistency as of late, and they’ll have the opportunity to carry that momentum into the divisional round against a Rams’ OL that’s given up 32 sacks and 259 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus ($).
  • The Rams’ offense averaged 23.3 points per game, which ranked 23rd in the NFL, but DVOA likes them a lot more as their unit ranks 10th.
  • This season, Jared Goff threw for over 4,100 yards at 7.2 yards per attempt with a completion rate of 66.4 percent. He also tallied 21 touchdowns to 13 interceptions — be ready defense — and posted a passer rating of 90.1.
  • It’s also worth noting that Goff has not been very good over his career in the cold.
  • As of now, the weather next weekend is partly cloudy, with highs in the mid-20s and lows in the mid-teens.
  • Adams will still find success against Ramsey, he’s just that good, but the Packers will need to rely on others in the passing game as well. Lazard, MVS, Tonyan, Jones, and Williams all need to be ready for some targets.
  • This Rams defense is really good at limiting the explosive play (plays of 20 yards or more).
  • Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp have combined for 182 receptions for 1,910 yards and nine touchdowns.
  • McVay is an excellent play-caller, this is a very good Rams’ defense, and they have players like Woods, Kupp, Donald, and Ramsey, but remember, the Green Bay Packers are the one seed for a reason. They have been the best team in the NFC all season long, and especially at home, they should be the favorites to win.
Home/Green Bay Packers