Green Bay Packers v. Rams: 5 Big Questions Ahead of Week 12 Matchup
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers face a very tough Los Angeles Rams opponent this week in a game that will carry major playoff implications when it comes to seeding in the NFC. While calling this a must-win is a bit much; it is a very important game for the Packers.
As part of my weekly preview, I have my five big questions facing the Green Bay Packers before they take on the LA Rams on Sunday.
How well can the OL hold it together?
Down three of their five preferred starters this week, the Green Bay Packers offensive line that will consist of Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan, Lucas Patrick, Royce Newman, and Billy Turner, will have a very tough assignment on Sunday as they face one of the game’s best defensive fronts.
Led by Aaron Donald, along with Greg Gaines, Leonard Floyd, Von Miller, and others, this Los Angeles pass rush ranks second in ESPN’s pass rush win rate and third by PFF’s grading system. They’ve also generated the seventh most quarterback pressures this season and are allowing just 4.0 yards per rush–which is the fifth-fewest in football.
"“He (Donald) certainly was hurting last year, there’s no doubt about it, and he’s a guy that you can’t rest for one second when you’re going up against him,” LaFleur said via SI. “You better know where he’s aligned on every play and you’ve got to make sure that you’re putting your players in the best position possible to go against him. As dominant as he is in the pass game, he’s equally as dominant in the run game, and I think that’s what makes him so special. He plays a lot of snaps, his effort is relentless, he is a guy that just can completely take over a football game.”"
Now, there are ways that Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers can help this offensive line unit out. The big one is by leaning on the run game and letting the offensive linemen be the aggressors. On the flip side, if Green Bay turns one-dimensional and pass heavy, that’s a recipe for disaster.
In the passing game, LaFleur can use tight end chips just as he did earlier in the season when Nijman was starting, play-action, motion, screens, boots, and really rely on the quick passing game to get the ball out of Rodgers’ hands.
However, even with the help that can be provided, ultimately, there are going to be numerous times when these offensive linemen are on an island and have to create that running lane or win that one-on-one matchup. If the Green Bay Packers are going to win this game, it all starts with the play of the offensive line.