Green Bay Packers v. Rams: 3 Key X-Factors in Divisional Round
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers X-Factor: Snacks Harrison
One thing we can expect a heavy dose of on Saturday is running back Cam Akers. In four of his last five games, Akers has at least 20 carries, and this includes two games with 28 and 29 carries, respectively. Even when Akers and the ground game has been slowed, head coach Sean McVay has remained committed to the run, and the Green Bay Packers should be ready for much of the same.
The good news is that the Packers’ run defense has truly played quite well over the final six weeks or so of the regular season. And the addition of Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison should only provide a boost. We saw him for 12 snaps against Chicago, and although he didn’t register a stat, there were two run plays he blew up in the backfield, and there is also the help that he can provide Kenny Clark and the linebackers by occupying multiple defenders and eating up space.
Rams’ quarterback Jared Goff still isn’t that far removed from thumb surgery, and while he hasn’t played a ton of games in the cold, when he has, he’s really struggled. Mike Pettine’s game plan should be to stop Cam Akers and take away the easy throws from Goff, forcing him to throw downfield and to beat you that way. And Harrison can certainly provide some help on the former.