Things are beginning to go south for the Green Bay Packers. They have lost four games in a row and just traded one their leaders in Rasul Douglas at the trade deadline this week. The Packers welcome the Rams into Lambeau Field tomorrow. Los Angeles is coming off a 43-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and sit at 3-5 this year. Starting quarterback Matthew Stafford looks to be a game time decision as he is dealing with an injury. Will the Packers get back into the win column for the first time since September? Or will the losing streak go to five? Here is a preview of tomorrow’s game.
Where Does the Momentum Come From For the Green Bay Packers?
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
It’s fair to say the Packers are not doing much of anything right. The offense continues to have no identity and looks to struggle in the basic fundamentals. The defense has been average and keeping them in games. However, there is too much talent on that side of the ball for it to be an average unit.
The trade of Rasul Douglas clearly bothered the locker room. Players stated all week they were shocked by the move. It feels a lot like last year when the Milwaukee Brewers moved Josh Hader. However, the Brewers were in the middle of a division championship race, but the locker room never recovered from that move. I don’t know how the Packers respond to this because Douglas was one of the leaders, if not the leader of this team. For being the youngest team in the NFL, I don’t know if a deal like that is worth it.
The Rams Wide Receivers Will Give the Packers Secondary Issues
Cooper Kupp is one of the best receivers in the NFL over the last handful of years. He is so crafty and knows how to get open regardless who is defending him. Kupp is still coming back after beginning the year on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
It’s been rookie Puka Nacua that has stolen the show and spotlight early this season. The BYU product leads the team with 61 receptions for 791 yards and two touchdowns. There’s a lot of Cooper Kupp in his game.
The Rams include another rookie receiver in Tutu Atwell out of Louisville, He is the speed receiver and leads the team with three touchdowns. That’s three legitimate wide receivers for this Packers secondary to defend. They will have to be up for the test tomorrow.
Prediction
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
I think the status of Matthew Stafford plays a big factor in this game. He’s a tough player and I’m sure he will try everything to play. However, with a bye week next week for the Rams, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was held out. If that was the case, it would be backup quarterback Brett Rypien getting the start.
I haven’t mentioned this yet either, but the Rams still have Aaron Donald, who is one of the best defensive players all time, on the defensive line. The Green Bay Packers offensive line has been struggling this year and Donald could feast on the interior line.
As much as I want to pick the Green Bay Packers, I don’t know where they are at as a team. Matt LaFleur stated earlier this week they were going to change some things up leading up to this game. However, we’ve heard that after just about every game and when the next week comes, nothing changed. At some point, this is just what this coaching staff is.
Anytime a backup quarterback comes to Lambeau Field, the Packers have an advantage. I do think the Rams have an advantage in the receiving game. Jaire Alexander has player awful the last few games, but likely still dealing with the back injury. It will now be rookie Carrington Valentine who will play the other corner spot.
I think this is a low scoring game and it could be an ugly one again for the Packers offense. They haven’t proven they move the ball down the field consistently and there is just too many mistakes on that side of the ball still. I like the Rams in a close one Sunday.
Rams 23 Packers 20
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