The matchup between the St. Louis Rams and the Green Bay Packers features teams from two sides of the spectrum. The Rams haven't managed to win a single game thus far, and the Packers have yet to lose one.
We truly are seeing a battle between David and Goliath. The Packers are looking like they are on the verge of repeating. Aaron Rodgers has established himself as an elite quarterback and has proven to be unstoppable thus far.
The Rams are right in the thick of the "Suck for Luck" race, but ironically they won't be taking Luck if presented with the opportunity. The Rams were projected by many as the favorite in the miserable NFC West, only to turn out to be the very worst team in the division.
So are these two teams as far apart as advertised? Let's take a closer look at the matchup.
When: Sunday, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. ET
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Watch: FOX
Spread: Green Bay -15
Note: Line according to Bodog
In the NFL, 15 points is a monster spread. Oddly enough, it won't be enough points to save the Rams. It's at Lambeau, and even though the Rams are coming off a bye week, they have been blown out worse than the given spread twice, and of those games were in St. Louis.
Over/Under: 47 1/2
Go with the over here. Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson should be able to produce some points this week, and Green Bay is good for at least 35. This isn't going to be a shootout by any means, but if St. Louis doesn't completely fold, it will easily hit the over.
Key Injuries
St. Louis Rams:
No major injuries to report.
Green Bay Packers:
Nick Collins, S, (Neck) IR
Greg Jennings, WR, (Groin) Probable
Charles Woodson, CB, (Foot) Probable
Chad Clifton, OT, (Hamstring) Out
Clay Matthews, LB, (Quad) Probable
Fantasy Big Plays
James Starks - The Green Bay Packers have a pass-first offense, but this week, it's their ground game that is really going to explode. The Rams allow just under 180 rushing YPG. They are the worst team in the NFL at stopping the run, and James Starks is bound to find the end zone for the second time this season.
Brandon Gibson - The Packers have one of the worst performing secondaries in the league. Unfortunately for St. Louis, its personnel is lacking. It doesn't have the targets to take advantage, but Brandon Gibson has been one of its more consistent targets. If there is one Rams player you can hang your hat on this week, it's Gibson.
Keys to St. Louis win:
Get Steven Jackson going. It's a long shot, given the stinginess Green Bay has exuded on the ground thus far. Even so, if the Rams want to pull off the upset, they have to get Jackson rolling to allow Bradford to get comfortable and the offense to be blown wide open.
Don't give up the big play. Greg Jennings or Jermichael Finley taking one to the house early can break the Rams. The Rams have to keep this game from getting out of control and at this point, it's unlikely that they'll be able to hold on.
Keys to Green Bay win:
Destroy Sam Bradford. The Rams have the personnel to make Bradford's night a living nightmare. They don't have a shutdown secondary. If Bradford gets comfortable, the Rams could creep into this game. That's the last thing the heavily favored Packers want to see.
Don't get cute. Being aggressive is one thing, but the Packers have to remain focused. They can't lose this game unless they give it away. Sticking to their game plan will let them really lay it on the Rams, and given the concentration they have put on display in the initial weeks, it's hard to see them getting complacent now.
Prediction:
Packers 42, Rams 13
Washington Wizards Kevin Garnett Ray allen kendrick Perkins Rajon Rondo Glen Davis
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