A pair of playoff hopefuls looking for a turnaround will battle when the Los Angeles Rams host the Green Bay Packers. Early injuries at key positions coupled with some close losses on the road have the Rams desperate to play well at home. Big-play ability is present for Green Bay but the Packers also have two close defeats this season. Green Bay is a road favorite over Los Angeles in this marquee afternoon matchup.
Even without injured star wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, Los Angeles is still moving the ball. The Rams are eighth in passing yards per game (224.3) behind veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. Finishing drives with touchdowns is the problem. Los Angeles is 27th in red zone touchdown percentage — an issue magnified in a close Week 4 loss to the Bears when the Rams went 1-for-4 inside the 20.
Against an injured Green Bay secondary, Stafford can be aggressive throwing to emerging receiving threat Tutu Atwell and tight end Colby Parkinson — who Stafford has targeted 12 times over the last two weeks.
Potent offense makes the Packers a threat on any play. Green Bay is No. 2 in the NFL in runs over 10 yards (21) and receptions over 20 yards (17) this season. With Jordan Love healthy, the Packers have downfield passing to match the dangerous output of running back Josh Jacobs.
The Packers have relied on the receiver trio of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks to produce while Christian Watson is hampered with a high ankle sprain. This week, Doubs is suspended.
Consistency from Jacobs in the backfield could be the difference for Green Bay. Los Angeles allows more rushing yards per game than any team in football after a struggling Bears backfield gained 131 rushing yards in Week 4.
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Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams odds
How to watch Packers at Rams
- Venue: SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, Calif.
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Fubo (try for free)
Expert picks for Packers at Rams
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(Photo of Jordan Love: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)
