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Green Bay Packers: 3 Divisional Round Matchups to Watch

By Kenny Jilek

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams rushes against Lane Taylor #65 of the Green Bay Packers during the game 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 Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams rushes against Lane Taylor #65 of the Green Bay Packers during the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Green Bay Packers
Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers’ opponent (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Krys Barnes vs. Cam Akers

Two rookies are absolutely vital to their respective teams’ success in this game with undrafted rookie linebackers Krys Barnes for the Packers and second round pick Cam Akers for the Rams.

Akers had a slow start to the season, splitting carries with multiple other backs on the roster, but since week thirteen he’s averaging 22.8 carries and has firmly taken the workhorse role. Last week, he ran 28 times for 131 yards and a touchdown.

Big running performances have been an Achilles’ heel for the Green Bay Packers this season, but they have done great the last two games, first containing Derrick Henry and then shutting down David Montgomery who had been surging in a similar way that Akers is now.

Barnes was a big part of both of those games, playing 95 percent of the defensive snaps against Tennessee, making seven tackles, and making 14 total tackles against the Bears, including one for a loss.

Similar to Akers, he’s had some struggles splitting snaps with other linebackers on the roster, but he seems to be Green Bay’s linebacker of choice over Kamal Martin and Christian Kirksey for the most part. Akers, much different from Henry is a smaller back who only stands 5’10” and uses his shifty moves to evade defenders instead of running over them. Barnes will have to be locked in to bring Akers down consistently and limit his big-play ability.

As I stated earlier, the Rams will look to Akers to carry them through this cold Lambeau game in which throwing the ball will be a challenge. If Akers isn’t running well, this could be another great Packers defensive performance that could see them holding their opponent under 20 for the fourth game in a row.

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