NFL
By: George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams return to SoFi Stadium this Sunday as they welcome the Green Bay Packers in an NFC matchup. Both teams are looking to bounce back as the Rams are coming off a 24-18 defeat to the Chicago Bears. The Packers are coming off a 31-29 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 20-29 passes for 224 yards against the Bears. Stafford was held without a touchdown pass and threw 1 interception. Pass protection continues to be a problem for the Rams offensive line, as Stafford was sacked 3 times against the Bears. For the season, Stafford has been sacked 13 times through 4 games. Head Coach Sean McVay and the Rams offensive line coaches continue to search for a pass protection scheme that will limit the pressure on Stafford.
With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua still out with injuries, it has given the other receivers a chance to show what they can offer the offense. Rookie receiver Jordan Whittington led the team with 6 receptions for 62 yards against the Bears. Whittington has shown to be a trusted receiver for Stafford. Not only does he have the ability to stretch the field, but Whittington has also shown he is a valuable target on the in routes the Rams love to use. Look for Whittington to be a top target against the Packers’ secondary. The Packers will not be able to put all their focus on Whittington, as Stafford will go to Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, and Tyler Johnson on the outside as we as TE Colby Parkinson in the passing attack.
In the past 2 games, McVay has run a more balanced offense. Against the Bears, the Rams offense ran the ball 26 times to go along with 29 pass attempts. Leading the Rams running game against the Bears was RB Kyren Williams, who rushed for 94 yards on 19 carries and 1 touchdown. Ronnie Rivers accounted for 26 yards on 6 carries. Noticeably absent in the Rams running game has been rookie Blake Corum. In the first 4 games, Corum has only had 3 rushing attempts. No specific reason has been given to explain Corum’s lack of playing time in the backfield. Look for Corum to see time in the backfield against the Packers.
The Packers welcomed back quarterback Jordan Love in their game against the Vikings. Love had an up-and-down game against Minnesota, completing 32-54 passes for 389 yards with 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions as he came up just short of leading the Packers back from a 28-7 deficit. Still not 100% from the knee injury suffered in week 1, Love only had 1 rushing attempt for 6 yards. Love is still a threat to run the ball and move outside the pocket. The Rams defense will look to keep Love inside the pocket putting pressure on him.
Jayden Reed led the Packers receivers against the Vikings with 7 receptions for 139 yards. Tucker Kraft and Dontayvion Wicks accounted for 6 receptions for 53 yards and 5 receptions for 78 yards against the Vikings respectively. Love targeted 10 different receivers against the Vikings. The Rams defense should expect Love to target multiple receivers.
Following behind early against Minnesota forced the Packers away from their running game, as they rushed for 86 yards on 19 carries. Leading the rushing attack is Josh Jacobs, who rushed for 51 yards on 9 carries against the Vikings. Look for the Packers to test the Rams rush defense early as they allowed 131 rushing yards to the Bears. The Rams defensive line will need to do a better job getting off their blocks and closing the inside rushing lanes with the inside linebackers filling the gaps. The edge rushers will look to keep outside containment and force the Packers running backs to the inside.
The Rams will look to bounce back this week. Look for Coach McVay to continue running a balanced offense against the Packers defense. The Packers will look to exploit the Rams pass protection issues as well as the difficulty of the Rams defense in stopping the run. Look for the Packers to come out victorious and drop the Rams record to 1-4
