GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – It has been a long, grueling march through the first dozen weeks of the year but game number 12 finally arrives Sunday when the Green Bay Packers welcome the Los Angeles Rams to Lambeau Field and at last, the most welcome bye week in franchise history arrives.
The 8-3 Packers have had to deal with a litany of injuries and COVID-19 throughout that march but still find themselves atop the NFC North Division race and just one game behind Arizona for the conference’s number one seed.
Meanwhile in L.A., the 7-3 Rams have had their share of injuries like every other team, but they’ve spent far more resources on adding pieces to what they hope will produce a run to Super Bowl LVI which will take place on their home field of SoFi Stadium in February. Sacrificing draft picks to bring Matthew Stafford aboard in the off-season, Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. during the season, the Rams are ALL in for 2021. They’re coming off their bye week after dropping back to back games to fall one back of the Cardinals in the NFC West race.
One more case of COVID-19 hit the coaching staff late this week as assistant offensive line coach Luke Butkus has entered protocols and he will not be available on game day. Offensive quality control assistant Tim Zetts will handle Luke’s duties Sunday.
Just two players have been ruled out because of injury, David Bakhtiari with his knee that got cleaned up with an arthroscopic procedure two weeks ago, putting his 2021 debut on hold for at least another couple of weeks, and backup wide receiver and kick returner Malik Taylor with an abdomen injury.
Defensive back Kevin King is doubtful with both hip and knee issues.
Edge rusher Rashan Gary (elbow) and receiver Allen Lazard (shoulder) who both missed last week’s game in Minnesota, are listed as questionable and ono the positive side, running back Aaron Jones is also questionable coming off a sprained MCL suffered against Seahawks two weeks ago.
Will the Packers have enough to limp into the bye week and stay in the NFC hunt?
When the Packers have the ball.
Aaron Rodgers didn’t practice again this week with a fractured pinkie toe on his left foot. He will grit his teeth to get through another game and consider treatment options next week. He endured the pain at U.S. Bank Stadium last week to put up his best numbers of the year (385 yards, 4 touchdowns). The Ram defense is a step above the Viking unit, ranking second in the league in rush play win rates and first in the league in pass rush win rates. Teams that have given the Rams trouble have been able to run right at them to stay in manageable down and distance calls. This may be a Sunday to lean even more on A.J. Dillon. On a chilly December day a year ago, he ran through the Tennessee Titans to the tune of 124 yards and two touchdowns. That kind of production will take pressure off Rodgers. Can it happen behind the second and third string left side of the offensive line? Yosh Nijman will play left tackle, Jon Runyan left guard and Lucas Patrick at center. Look for a quick rhythm passing game, shorter routes, check downs as that front will be challenged by Miller, Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd. The Packers offense took off in the second half against the Vikings with creative play calls, and Equanimeous St. Brown end around, the Randall Cobb handoff and pitch to Dillon. Look for that kind of creativity early as the Packers have to find a way start faster and play with a lead to keep the home crowd engaged and loud throughout.
When the Rams have the ball.
The Packers are no strangers to Stafford who has played excellent ball since moving west. There’s no question his go-to target is Cooper Kupp, 85 receptions on 116 targets. Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry, very familiar with Sean McVay’s attack plan after spending four years on his staff, will do everything possible to clamp down on that connection first. The L.A. running game does not pose nearly the threat as the pass game does. With King sidelined, Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas will have to deal with Kupp and to a lesser extent, OBJ who’s still getting the playbook down after catching 2 balls in his debut before the bye. The secondary learned tough lessons about giving up explosive plays against the Vikes and communication improvements will be required. Stafford has made plenty of big plays against Green Bay during his Detroit days but he’s also been prone to mistakes. Turnover opportunities must be capitalized on.
The bottom line.
I’m not sure the Packers haven’t reached the injury tipping point, with Elgton Jenkins, Robert Tonyan, Whitney Mercilus all lost for the year once the year began. A hobbled Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, and on defense, Gary, might be too much to overcome against an angry, much more rested Rams team. Get to the bye, get bodies back and let the December drive begin.
I like Los Angeles 26-21.
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