5 Things to Watch in Packers vs Rams: Romeo’s Return
Aaron Rodgers will have an extra weapon on the perimeter with Romeo Doubs returning from injury this week.
By markoldacres
Can the Packers run the ball?
Whether Aaron Donald has been on the field or not, the Rams defense has excelled at stopping the run. Only the 49ers, Titans and Ravens have allowed fewer rushing yards this season.
That’s bad news for the Packers, whose offense works best when it’s led by the running game. If Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon can’t get anything going on the ground, it could turn into a tough night for Green Bay.
The Rams do rank 21st in the NFL in opponent passing yards per game though, meaning we could see a more pass-happy attack from the Packers in this one.
Aaron Rodgers
More specifically, Rodgers’ thumb and rib health.
Green Bay’s quarterback will have sorely needed the bye week to allow his injuries to heal. Rodgers has been playing with a broken thumb for much of the season and his play has been clearly impacted at times.
After two weeks’ rest, will we see the kind of MVP form Rodgers will need to produce over the next four games to give the Packers a chance of making the playoffs?
Romeo’s return
Rodgers will get some extra help at the receiver position this week, with Romeo Doubs set to play his first game since suffering an ankle injury in week nine.
Doubs has flashed some serious potential during his rookie season, and his return will be a welcome boost to a team which already seems to be finding its stride on offense.
A receiving trio of Doubs, Christian Watson and Allen Lazard gives Rodgers plenty to work with as the Packers look to take advantage of LA’s leaky pass defense.
Watson vs Ramsey
Watson has fully broken out in the last month, racking up eight touchdowns in four games. But now he’ll face a stiff test in All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
It’ll be interesting to see whether the Rams are sufficiently concerned about Watson to have Ramsey follow him around, and if that’s the case, Lazard and Doubs should have favourable matchups versus LA’s other corners.
Baker Mayfield
Mayfield’s ability to step in and operate the Rams offense to a functional level against the Raiders was hugely impressive, but the Packers will like their chances of causing him some problems this week.
Green Bay’s defense has been a massive disappointment, but perhaps they can draw confidence from their performance versus Mayfield a season ago, when they picked off the at-the-time Browns quarterback four times.
The Rams remain without Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson, meaning Mayfield isn’t blessed with weapons to throw to. If the Packers are ever going to have a banner day on defense, this might be it.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (23)
NickPerry
December 18, 2022 at 06:41 am
"The Rams remain without Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson, meaning Mayfield isn’t blessed with weapons to throw to. If the Packers are ever going to have a banner day on defense, this might be it."
And yet, I'm 99% positive Joe Barry will have Douglas and Alexander lined up 10 yards off on 3rd and 4 for most of the game. They also won't have Matthew Stafford but we've seen this movie play out before, playing the back-up or even the back-ups back-up. Cam Akers has been benched more than once this year, yet I have this sickening feeling Akers runs wild over THIS Packers Defense.
LambeauPlain
December 18, 2022 at 08:28 am
Yep, Nick...Agree. The best indicator of future performance are past results. Barry's past has been so very emblematic of his time in Green Bay.
MLF and MM are similar in how they coach. Neither man concerns themselves much with either D or STs. Both men talk about holding players accountable but never the coaches. Lucky for MM now, he has Quinn running his D. MLF almost landed Jim Leonard...then does a 180 in hiring retread, a crony in Barry.
It has to be frustrating for the D players playing Barry Ball. So much talent, yet square pegs being forced into round holes.
NickPerry
December 18, 2022 at 09:55 am
Nice post LambeauPlain... I actually never thought about both MM and MLF never hold their coaches accountable. I mean LOOK it took how long it took for LaFleur to finally fire Drayton! I have NO DOUBT in my mind had Drayton been fired even a week before the Packers loss vs the 49ers last season in the playoffs, the Packers would be 5 Time SB Champions and 14 Time World Champions.
But to your point McCarthy kept Capers, and Slocum way to long IMO. They probably get it from the front office. Look at Ted Thompson. He stayed at least 2 or 3 years too long. His health was fading quickly yet Murphy did nothing about it, even while seeing Thompson throughout the season.
I heard or read somewhere that when Jerry Grey was asked about the poor play of his secondary, about playing 10 yards off on 3rd and 4, and he responded by saying he was playing Barry's scheme. Whether that's true or not BOTH the coaches and the players have to be sick of it and frustrated as hell.
croatpackfan
December 18, 2022 at 10:08 am
It was Mark Murphy who admit that he kept TT, begging him to stay at the position, while TT wanted to retire prior 2017. TT was class act by himself. We may talk about his flaws, but he showed balls in Favre situation and he will be remembered as great GM if for nothing else than because that move.
NickPerry
December 18, 2022 at 03:34 pm
I was really hard on Thompson for never signing Free Agents but once he retired, I read many, many stories and comments about Ted from other Packers fans and I changed my mind...Quickly.
You're right Croat, Ted had his flaws but he had a hell of an eye at evaluating talent. Especially O-Linemen and 2nd round WR. He learned under one of the best in Ron Wolf too. I learned and began to really appreciate Ted Thompson the GM.
BirdDogUni
December 18, 2022 at 04:11 pm
The last two or three years, you were justified. TT was a shadow of his former self. Sad.
Coldworld
December 19, 2022 at 09:09 am
The years Ball was running the FO in reality should really not be ascribed to TT.
jannesbjornson
December 19, 2022 at 01:28 pm
It was a Ball, Wolf,Jr. Gutedkunst and Highsmith in a Shakespeare drama played out in a community theatre. No way Ted grabs King over T.J. Watt. The Nick Perry Contract extension a reactionary move. This cluster remains in place, one way or the other.
jannesbjornson
December 18, 2022 at 03:33 pm
The crime scene reveals plenty of Murphy's fingerprints.
Coldworld
December 18, 2022 at 08:32 am
And if he does, we would have no one else to blame but LaFleur. We could have gone to Gray 6 weeks ago. He might not be better, but he would likely not be worse in a way that makes a difference. Of course we did the same last year on STs, which then exploded in our faces. Yet no blame for the man responsible for both and we allow him to repeat the same error the next year. Ultimately, since LaFleur doesn’t report to Gute, that is squarely on Murphy. As is so much of this mess.
Tundraboy
December 18, 2022 at 11:43 pm
Yep reading my mind on this one NP.
Tundraboy
December 18, 2022 at 11:43 pm
ditto
Coldworld
December 18, 2022 at 08:40 am
I ask myself if many teams have thought why bother to run consistently on the Rams this season? It’s going to be cold. I think that changes things somewhat. It’s tougher for the passing game and tougher on rushers and ground defenders. This game could easily suit Dillon. If it does and we establish play action, there should be no excuse for not racking up points on that D.
As far as our D is concerned, the Rams have not been much of a run threat. Maybe the above logic changes that, but I think the big question is can we disrupt and pressure the QB in potentially difficult rushing conditions? This is a second Bears like opponent. A squeaked victory or loss would be damning.
Charvid
December 18, 2022 at 09:31 am
No one in the NFL can make WR3’s and WR4’s look like All Pro’s like our Green Bay Packers. If Barry doesn’t adjust, it doesn’t really matter who’s running routes.
Rarescope
December 18, 2022 at 09:40 am
I wonder if the reason our CB play deeper than most in short yardage third down situations is a consequence of our tendency to go for long passes in third and short situations. Sort of a “You’re not going to fool us with that old trick because we use it ourselves.”
Coldworld
December 18, 2022 at 11:08 am
Interesting theory, but isn’t that where self-scouting comes in?
croatpackfan
December 18, 2022 at 10:15 am
"After two weeks’ rest, will we see the kind of MVP form Rodgers will need to produce..."
You get upvote from me for your unlimited optimism. Because, even vs Dallas ACR didn't show that form this season, injured or not.
ImaPayne2
December 18, 2022 at 10:24 pm
Should be a cake walk tomorrow consider the best rams defensive players dont want to play in the cold so they found a cause looking for an injury.
The only draw back is in Mayfield wants to get pass happy, this d can give it all away.
barutanseijin
December 19, 2022 at 12:50 am
You know who else doesn’t like the cold? Aaron Rodgers
Coldworld
December 19, 2022 at 09:14 am
I hope we aren’t going to see late era Favre type issues from Rodgers. If we do that should end a lot of the debate about the future. So far I’ve not seen anything close to that scale from Rodgers. That was hard to watch.
barutanseijin
December 19, 2022 at 02:06 pm
We already have. For example, recall his putrid performance in that frigid playoff game against SF last season.
Coldworld
December 19, 2022 at 05:47 pm
Putrid yes, but how much of that was the cold and how much the attitude in which the game was approached by the team as a whole?
barutanseijin
December 19, 2022 at 04:17 pm
1. Can Lafleur have his team ready to play after a bye week?
2. Can the Packers run on the Rams?
3. Can Rodgers still sling it in the cold?
4. Will the defense make Baker Mayfield look like Joe Montana?
5. Can the Packers stop the run?