Both the Packers and the Rams have tumbled from their NFC championship positions.
The Green Bay Packers (-3.5) will make another attempt to turn around their dismal 2023 campaign at Lambeau Field.
The Packers and Los Angeles Rams (+3.5) (3-5) square off at 12:00 this time. Two years after winning Super Bowl LVI, the Rams have regressed to the pack and are coming off a crushing loss to the Cowboys.
Who will start at quarterback for Los Angeles this week is the key question. With a thumb injury, will Matthew Stafford play, or will Brett Rypien, the backup, start for Green Bay?
Together with Evan Craig from our sister website Turf Show Times, we discuss these and other topics.
1. Although Royce Freeman is a part of a divided assault, he has proven productive. Do you believe that he needs the ball more now that the backup or injured quarterback is there?
The Rams should, in my opinion, spread carries similarly to how they did in Week 7 against the Steelers. Freeman’s running partner Darrell Henderson had 18 attempts for 61 yards in that game, while Henderson had 12 carries for 66 yards. Since his time in Denver, Freeman has consistently performed better when he is not the main target of an offensive strategy.
The best strategy for LA to deal with injuries to their two best running backs is to employ a split attack. For this reason, I have faith that Freeman and Henderson will hold things together until starting quarterback Kyren Williams and RB2 Ronnie Rivers are ready to go again.
2. On Sunday, Brett Rypien might get the start. How is it going to affect the Rams offense?
With Rypien at center, it shouldn’t have a significant effect on the offensive attack. In the end, Matthew Stafford hasn’t been all that successful at quarterback this year. Using the running game and implementing short throws should be prioritized. For his backup quarterback, McVay must call an offensive scheme that is accommodating. Since LA can win this game so easily, balance will be crucial when playing the Packers.
There’s no necessity to go all one-dimensional and airy throughout the entire game. If Rypien gets the start, he should accept the assignment the defense provides him rather than forcing the ball into coverage, something Stafford has been known to do in the first eight games of the season.
3. Cooper Kupp made a quick start upon his return, but he had a few difficult games. However, Puka Nacua has had a significant impact. Is there any chance that Green Bay will give up either?
With Rasul Douglas traded in and Jaire Alexander hurt, Green Bay’s chances of stopping either player are slim. With these two, you basically have to choose your poison. Because they both pick up large amounts of yardage with the ball in their hands and are slippery in coverage, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are extremely difficult to stop.
The issue is that, excluding the Eagles game, Kupp or Nacua are both expected to have outstanding performances. In the same game, neither player has produced outstanding stat lines. Since Kupp is about to play a major game against the Packers, the Green Bay defense might potentially slow down Nacua. In addition, LA probably won’t be very productive or overly willing to throw the ball given the uncertainty at quarterback.
All I can hope for is that this season won’t be like the one before Stafford went down. Those were bad times, and I fear that, for whatever reason, the Rams will not be making a meaningful investment in a reliable backup quarterback in the summer.
4. Aaron Donald is still a formidable opponent. What should the offensive line for Green Bay do to slow him down?
Will you please hope that he gets the flu before the game?
All jokes aside, double teaming Donald is the greatest way to slow him down. Make sure the line is always aware of his whereabouts on the field, and they should never look away from him. Aaron Donald is unavoidable, thus it is impossible to stop him entirely. You can, however, neutralize him in some situations.
LA’s defense is still young and improving. It follows that other pass rushers are unlikely to pursue Jordan Love as much as they ought to if Donald can be held down. For the Rams, this has been their season-long narrative, and I don’t see anything different this week.
5. Despite having a superior record, the Rams are a small road underdog according to DraftKings Sportsbook. How do you anticipate this game progressing and why do you think that is?
Because of the quarterback situation, the Rams are probably underdogs. Whether Los Angeles starts Brett Rypien or Matthew Stafford doesn’t matter, given how dreadfully ineffective the Packers offense has been this season. Not that the Rams should ignore any opposition, but after watching Green Bay play for the past four weeks, I have no idea why they are favored in this game.
This seems like a rather unattractive, low-scoring game to me. To relieve pressure on whoever starts as quarterback, Sean McVay will mostly rely on the running game if he is a wise play caller. Remember, that’s a hefty “if.” If the Rams accomplish it, they ought to win easily—that is, if the Packers don’t miraculously light up the scoreboard in the opening half.