Green Bay Packers v. LA Rams: Behind Enemy Lines Week 12
By Paul Bretl
Who is one player on offense and one on defense that Green Bay Packers fans may not be familiar with, but someone who could make an impact Sunday?
Ramblin’ Fan: Picking out one key player on both the offense and defense who does not get much press is a difficult one because the Rams have had a rather rapid roster turnover this season due to injuries. On offense, I’ll go with second-year wide receiver Van Jefferson. Cooper Kupp will likely draw the best cornerback from the secondary, and the arrival of Odell Beckham Jr. will more than likely be enough of a concern to have the focus of the next best defensive back. The Rams have used Van Jefferson to stretch the football field in the past and will need a deep threat to help jump-start the offense. When the Rams need offense, they have thrown Van Jefferson’s way. Unfortunately, he has only caught six of the 14 passes thrown to him in the last two losses. He averages 16.2 yards per reception, and that could mean a huge game if he starts finding the handle of the football.
Another offensive player we’ve been waiting to see some impact from is running back Sony Michel. This could be the game where the Rams lean on him to carry the ball. So far this season, he has only carried the football 76 times, hardly enough work to break into a sweat. The Rams certainly need to get a little bit tougher, and Sony Michel is the type of running back who can get tough yards on the ground.
On defense, the Rams would like nothing better than to see a huge game out of rookie linebacker Ernest Jones. He could do it too. The Rams will have Aaron Donald, Von Miller, and Leonard Floyd lining up on the line of scrimmage. That will be more than enough to occupy the Green Bay Packers’ attention on the offensive line. That should mean that Ernest Jones will have the freedom to roam and stuff the run, a task he is rather good at.
Jones is rather opportunistic and has one interception already. He is known for thumping running backs, but he is fairly adept at zone pass defense over the middle of the field. If Aaron Rodgers tosses an errant throw, Ernest Jones will be delighted to make him pay.
On the edge, the Rams may see a big game out of second-year outside linebacker Terrell Lewis. Lewis has been giving the Rams good production as a rotational player. Now, with a more crowded OLB room, he will be fighting to keep his defensive snaps. He has the ability to show up big in big games, and this is one of the biggest games that the Rams will play this season.