Packers host Rams in a rematch of their Divisional Playoff Game last January
The Packers play their final game before their bye week, a late-afternoon matchup with the Los Angeles Rams at Lambeau Field.
The Packers are 8-3 after their 34-31 road loss to the Vikings. The Rams are 7-3 and coming off their own bye week. Their last game was a 31-10 road loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
A familiar face returns to Green Bay but in a different uniform in Matthew Stafford. He is having a great season, at least until the final two games. He still has plenty of playmakers around him. Cooper Kupp is already over 1,000 receiving yards. Odell Beckham Jr. makes his way into Lambeau Field after choosing the Rams over the Packers just a few weeks ago. The Packers’ defense needs to bounce back after their disappointing showing in Minnesota last Sunday.
Aaron Rodgers had a monster second half vs the Vikings last week despite an injured toe. It is now revealed that the toe is broken. He still plans on playing and hopes it will get better after the bye week. Aaron Jones practiced but it is unclear whether he will be ready to play on Sunday. The big issue is their offensive line. David Bakhtiari is still out and now Elgton Jenkins is lost for the year. As if Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey weren’t enough trouble, the Rams have added Von Miller to their defense. The offensive line needs to hold itself together and give Rodgers enough time to throw.
The all-time series between the two teams is tied at 47-47-2. That includes 3 playoff games, where the Packers are 2-1, including a 32-18 win this last January in the Divisional Playoff Round.
There have been many memorable games. One that really stands out to me was in 1996, when the Packers won 24-9 on the road vs the Rams, who were in St. Louis at the time. The Packers lost their last two games before facing the Rams and Andre Rison, who the Packers just acquired, was still learning the offense. The Packers trailed 9-3 at halftime, but Gilbert Brown stuffed a running play on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, and on the second play, Doug Evans returned an interception for a touchdown. Two Brett Favre touchdown passes later, the losing streak was over. The Packers would not lose again the rest of the season and went on to win Super Bowl XXXI.
The Rams started out 7-1 but lost their last two games, including a bad showing on Monday Night Football in a road loss to the 49ers. After two straight losses and a bye week, I expect the Rams to be ready to play. By the way, I mentioned the Packers ended their season last January. The Packers had better be ready for anything and everything.
With the news of Aaron Rodgers and his broken toe, the Rams have jumped out to a 1-point favorite. The Packers are rare underdogs at home. I hope the players and coaches see that and point that out to everyone in the locker room.
The Packers are dealing with a lot of adversity right now, but I believe they have a lot of fight in them. I expect the Rams to give them their best shot, but I think the Packers will punch back harder. I see the Packers grinding out a tough win at the end. Let’s make it happen!
Get Loud Lambeau!
Go Pack Go!
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