LA Rams game day primer: NFL Playoffs Divisional Round shocker

Just how much should the Rams depend on their QB?

There are two problems that surface with the constant stream of negative comments about the play of starting quarterback Jared Goff. First and foremost, if he is that bad, the LA Rams can do what the Chicago Bears did with Mitch Trubisky or the Philadelphia Eagles did with quarterback Carson Wentz. In short, if he is that bad, then why do the Rams organization keep sending Goff out to run the offense?

But the second problem is one that many seem to miss. If the Rams struggle to successfully pass the ball, why do the Rams continue to feature the pass on the offense? In round one of the NFL Playoffs, the Rams offense tilted heavily to the rushing attack as the Rams rushed 43 times and passed just 28 times. That is the opposite of the regular season when the Rams passed 590 times to just 473 rushes. In the one game when the Rams rushed more often, they won by a finals score of 24-3. So why do they call so many pass plays?

Rams defense can rattle Rodgers

The Rams defense has three things that they do very well to rattle Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. They can assign DB Jalen Ramsey on Packers wide receiver Davante Adams, essentially neutralizing him throughout the game. The Rams have a swarming pass rush that will pressure Rodgers as well.

As long as the Rams can keep the Packers running back Aaron Jones relatively quiet, and can get to Rodgers without blitzing, the Rams have a good chance of quieting the Packers’ entire offensive attack. Without a huge lead to aid their defense, the Rams could actually etch out a pretty solid offensive assault of their own. How close will this game be?  Well, even the experts who set the odd are calling it a one-touchdown difference.