The Los Angeles Rams Week 12 opponent, the Green Bay Packers, has been through about as much change and adversity as any team in the league over the past few weeks– save for the Rams. From Aaron Rodgers COVID-toe drama to the Rams' recent shakeup of the receiver room to the addition of Von Miller, this game is not lacking for any storylines. The good thing for the Rams is, most of these storylines are leading to some momentum for their squad and some negative traction for the Packers.
With this game possibly deciding the number-one seed in the NFC when all is said and done, the excitement level is felt in both cities. With the matchup set to take place in Green Bay, the Rams are just one-point favorites to win the game and the spread is indicative of the historical series between the two of the NFL's oldest franchises — the teams are 47-47-2 in their all-time head-to-head record.
For more insight on the Rams' Week 12 matchup against the Packers, listen below:
Without further adieu, here are our four predictions from LA's side of things in Sunday's huge Rams-Packers battle.
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Los Angeles Rams Week 12 Predictions
4. Van Jefferson will score a touchdown
Jefferson has just three touchdowns on the year and has been targeted a meager five times per game for the 2021 NFL season. That doesn't necessarily add up to a recipe for success for the second-year receiver, but playing against this Packers defense that had a terrible week 11– might just help out a bit.
Last week, Minnesota obliterated Green Bay with their receiving corps to the tune of over 250 yards and two scores. With the Rams expected to do the same this week, most of the attention will be placed on the NFL's leading receiver Cooper Kupp and new addition Odell Beckham Jr.–enter Van Jefferson. We not only expect Van to get a touchdown in this game, but he will also most likely be the Rams' second-leading receiver as Beckham Jr. gets his feet wet in LA.
3. The Rams' defense will hold Green Bay under 100 yards rushing
With a banged-up Aaron Jones and a healthy and productive A.J. Dillon, the Packers have a bit of a conundrum on their hands. Do they give the majority of the carries to Jones, to Dillon or should they be split up evenly? Well, however they end up dividing the carries, the result will be a team that is uncertain about its running back situation and that is the last place you want to be in the NFL these days.
The Rams will take advantage of the Packers' stubborn insistence on playing both backs and neither will be able to establish a rhythm. If this happens, the Rams will live up to this prediction and hold the Packers well under 100 yards rushing. With the Packers struggling on the ground, it will lead to an increase in dropbacks for Aaron Rodgers–who is playing with an injured toe, leading us to our next prediction…
2. Aaron Donald will have two sacks
Donald had yet to record two sacks in a game in 2021, something he has never failed to do in the first half of his season. This is due to an increase in double-teams for Donald, who was expecting less of that in 2021. The addition of Von Miller to this defensive front is meant to ease that burden, however, and after playing 45 percent of the snaps in week 11, Miller is expected to play more of a full-time role on Sunday.
If Miller can do what he does best and draw attention away from Donald, we could be looking at Donald's first multiple-sack game of the year. This will be especially true if Rodgers has limited mobility due to the toe injury. We will know right off the bat, most likely the first time Rodgers has to roll out, whether that is the case or not.
1. The Rams will win by a touchdown
If the Rams fail to pressure Rodgers, and they let Green Bay control the clock with their running game, then this one will be a lot closer to the one-point spread. But, that is not what we are predicting and if Rodgers is limited, Donald has two sacks, the Rams run defense is up to par and Jefferson gets the touchdown that we mentioned before, this should be an easy win for the Rams.
With his team trailing 28-21 with two minutes remaining in the game and no timeouts, Rodgers will come up just short in his attempt to beat the Rams. His 4th down pass attempt to wide receiver Davante Adams is picked off by Rams corner Darious Williams to seal the win for Los Angeles.
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