LA Rams injury update: Head coach McVay talks roster and strategy

When the Rams have the ball

The LA Rams have turned to the running game when they needed to win, and there is no reason to think otherwise for the Rams facing the best offense in the NFC. After all the hoopla, the Green Bay Packers’ offense can score early and often. So the Rams offense must try to move the chains, score points, rest the defense, and keep Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers off the field. Easy enough, right?

Well, the job can be done as long as the Rams feed a steady diet of carries to rookie standout running back Cam Akers. Since he has become the featured running back, he’s looked every bit the part. And the Packers’ run defense allows 4.5 yards per average carry. So that means that the Rams runners can find daylight against the Packers. And they will need to do exactly that.

Rams will need points

The Packers score. So the Rams will need to plan on scoring 35 or more points in this one. Even in three losses, the Packers averaged over 20 points a game. That includes facing some stiff defenses, three of the Top-Ten in the NFL. The Packers have an excellent crop of linebackers, led by Za’Darius Smith and his 12.5 quarterback sacks.

In fact, the strength of the Packer’s defense is their defense, much like the New York Giants.  The Rams will need to blow the Packers off the ball with a power run game. That means stacking the offensive line with tight ends and committing to the running game.

Packers struggle against running backs

The Packers can get after the quarterback, but struggle to cover running backs as receivers. New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara caught 13 of 14 for 139 yards and two touchdowns while rushing six times for 58 yards. Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery caught five of six for 40 yards and a touchdown while rushing 11 times for 103 yards.

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook rushed 30 times for 163 yards and three touchdowns while catching two of three passes for another 63 yards. All these stellar performances are well within the reach of the Rams rookie running back Cam Akers. In fact, Akers has been huge in both rushing and pass receiving in recent games.