If forecast holds, LA Rams face sweater weather in Lambeau

Packers defense is adequate, but not good

Those two regular-season games from 2018 have, to no great surprise, buoyed bold claims that the Packers’ modestly performing defense will ‘destroy Jared Goff’. Um, no. The 2018 Chicago Bears was top-ranked against the run, and third in total defense and in net takeaways.  The 2020 Green Bay Packers defense is not among the Top-Five in any category. What the Packers defense falls into in the adequate category. They are good enough to protect leads built by a standout offense.

The Rams offense, similarly, is adequate to put up points which their defense can hold to be enough to win games. The Packers’ offense and the Rams’ defense are elite. But the Packers’ defense and the Rams’ offense are adequate. So what breaks this stalemate? Well, it was revealed when the Rams needed to defeat a solid New England Patriots defense. A strong commitment by these Rams to run the ball.

Stopping Goff no longer stops the Rams offense

The Rams offense has proven on several occasions that they can route the offense through the rushing ability of rookie running back Cam Akers, much like they did with Todd Gurley.  So the Rams win games against the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, and Seattle Seahawks with only modest success in the passing game.

The Rams can run the ball effectively once more. And the Packers are not very documented as stopping a rushing attack this season.  With an effective running game, the LA Rams will be fairly insulated against any negative effects from the weather, much like Todd Gurley’s 208 yards in 2018 helped the Rams to defeat the Denver Broncos on a cold day of football.