Simulation Picks
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Expert Picks
There's been no bigger supporter of the Packers in this space than your's truly. So if I'm backing the Rams in this spot, you know something is up. What's up is actually down, and that's Green Bay's offensive line, which is down two starters plus David Bakhitiari, who has still not been cleared to return. I'm not worried about Aaron Rodgers' toe or Aaron Jones' MCL, but I do worry about how much time Rodgers will have in the pocket with some beasts circling the backfield. If Jalen Ramsey can slow down DaVante Adams even a little, Los Angeles should pull away late. It has the offensive playmakers and is coming off a bye, which allowed it to not only get healthy but game plan for Green Bay. Back the P ... I mean Rams ... this time.
You guys know how this works: When at least three experts all agree on one game, it seems to go the opposite way. Well, Larry, Mike and RJ all are on the Rams so naturally I'll have to go contrarian. Aaron Rodgers getting points at home? Wow. Broken toe or not, I'll take them. When has Matthew Stafford won a big game like this? The Rams are 0-4 ATS in their past four.
The Packers are missing their two best offensive linemen and Aaron Rodgers is dealing with a painful toe injury. On the other side, Matthew Stafford and Von Miller used the bye week to get healthy. With Jalen Ramsey shadowing Davante Adams, the Rams match up particularly well. Lay the small number.
Both these teams are coming off tough divisional losses on the road, though the Rams have had a week off to sit with their two-game losing streak. Even though the Packers won decisively in this playoff matchup last year, I think the Rams are in a better spot at this moment. The offensive line injuries for Green Bay are huge, down to the third-string left tackle heading into a matchup with Aaron Donald and Von Miller. Aaron Rodgers is managing a fractured toe, while his receiving corps is also beat up. Matthew Stafford is certainly used to playing in cold weather from his years in the NFC North. I think the Rams were able to reset on the bye and come out strong here.
By kickoff, the Rams will have had nearly two weeks to stew over their face-plant against San Francisco. The bye week allowed them to heal and resume their Super Bowl quest. The Packers should be so lucky. QB Aaron Rodgers has an ailing toe, and his line is short-staffed. Elgton Jenkins, filling in for LT David Bakhtiari, is out, while RB Aaron Jones remains iffy. I'm on the Rams.