Can the LA Rams run effectively at Lambeau in the cold?

The LA Rams face a bone-chilling cold on Monday Night Football. They arrive to play football in Green Bay, WI, home to legendary Lambeau Field. But before the Rams arrive, bitter cold temperatures will take up their annual wintry residence. With daytime temperatures that are forecast to climb no higher than 20 degrees Fahrenheit, plummeting into the single digits throughout the game, the fair weather LA Rams will have more than football on their minds.

The rule of thumb in cold weather is to run the football. That is something that the Green Bay Packers are rather good at doing, and the LA Rams are not. But defensively, the LA Rams have a rather stout run defense, and the Packers do not. So the million-dollar question is: Can the LA Rams learn to run the ball effectively better than the Packers’ defense can learn to stop the run?

For once, trend analysis suggests that it is the Rams who may be trending upward for this matchup. Let’s break this all down:

LA Rams’ 3-game rushing trend beating the average

The Rams average 86.1 yards per game on the ground, and .77 TDs per game on the season. But in the last three games, the Rams have rushed:

1. 11/27 @ Kansas City: 28 rushes   116 yards 0 TD
2. 12/4   Seattle               : 33 rushes   171 yards 2 TD
3. 12/8    Las Vegas        : 22 rushes    71 yards  1 TD
   Average                         : 28 rushes  120 yards 1 TD

The bell cow for the Ram’s rushing attack has been veteran Cam Akers so far. But even he has been getting limited carries, averaging just 15 carries per game so far in December. Rookie RB Kyren Williams has been averaging just three carries per game this month, but his swift slashing style could be devastating to a Packer defense that is susceptible to the run.

The Rams will likely start Akers in this one. But I expect the Rams to rotate to Kyren Williams quickly in this game, not just to see how effective Williams can do, but to ensure that the team’s rushers are not left playing in the cold and away from the sideline heaters for too long.

Are you ready for the LA Rams running offense resurgence?

We’ve already witnessed a resurgence in the NFL career of WR Tutu Atwell. Is this the week for the LA Rams to enjoy their first 100-yard game by one running back? I think it very well could be.

Will it be veteran RB Cam Akers or rookie RB Kyren Williams who breaks the 100-yard rushing barrier? My gut instincts say that it’s the rookie who runs forever on the Packers. Still, I’m more than happy to sit back and be surprised. The Rams need to run for a chance to win in this one.

I think the Rams do exactly that. This is a team with a new energetic quarterback who headbutts teammates, an offensive line that is returning the same five players for the third consecutive week, and a pissed-off pair of running backs who will be more than happy to heat up the frozen tundra.

Look for positive things on MNF.