The struggling Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers meet on Monday in a battle between underwhelming teams.
Defending champions Los Angeles are already out of the playoff equation but the Rams still ended a six-game losing streak by beating the Las Vegas Raiders in their last game played. Meanwhile, the Packers have been stung by injuries this season and they are fighting for their playoff lives. With Green Bay taking a bye last week, the Packers are well-rested and could get some key players back.
The opening kick is at 8:15 PM EST at Lambeau Field.
The Rams snapped their six-game losing streak last week with a dramatic come-from-behind win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Baker Mayfield delivered magic for Los Angles as he threw the game-winning 23-yard TD pass to Van Jefferson with 10 seconds left in the game as the Rams beat the Raider 17-16.
Mayfield completed 22 of 35 passes for 230 yards with two TDs, all in the fourth quarter. IT wasn’t the best game from Mayfield but considering he was just picked up from the waivers and was only on his second day with the team, it was an impressive debut for him and a big shot in the arm for the struggling Rams. Los Angeles is out of playoff contention but they can finish strong and build confidence again for next season.
Los Angeles will be without Super Bowl LVI MVP Cooper Kupp and fellow WR Allen Robinson II who are on the injury reserve list. Their defense will also be without anchor Aaron Donald along with linebackers Terrell Lewis and Travin Howard. With the Rams ranking 30th in rushing, they will once again ride Mayfield’s arm against the Packers.
The Packers got the much-needed break when they took their bye last week. Aaron Rodgers says the thumb feels better and he is no longer feeling the effects of the rib injury he suffered three weeks ago. Before taking a bye week, Green Bay rallied from a 19-10 deficit to beat the Chicago Bears 28-19.
Rodgers led the Packers to three scoring drives in the fourth period capped by a 46-yard TD pass to rookie WR Christian Watson. Watson has suddenly become a key player in the Packers’ offense as he’s racked up a total of 8 TDs in his last four games played. The victory was also Green Bay’s 7th in a row against the Bears.
Not only are the Packers expecting a 100% healthy Rodger but they are also eyeing to have their running backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon at full strength. Rookie wideout Romeo Doubs could also make his return on Monday while tackle David Bakhtiari might return as well. With Green Bay slowly becoming healthy again, look for them to make a strong run at the playoffs.
The Rams are 2-8 SU in their last 10 head-to-head meetings against the Packers. Los Angeles is also 2-8 SU in their last 10 games played at Lambeau Field.
Los Angeles Rams SU trends:
Green Bay Packers SU trends:
The Rams are out of the playoff equation and all they are playing for right now is pride and finishing the season strong. Otherwise, it has been a horror season for the team that won the Super Bowl last season.
We have never seen NFL champions take a harder fall than these Rams but as we saw last week, the players had fun and were enthusiastic about coming from behind to beat the Detroit Lions. If they play with the same intensity and drive, this team has the chance to finish the season on a high note.
Baker Mayfield delivered the magic last week and if he continues to play as he did against the Lions, he might find a home in L.A. as back–up to Matthew Stafford. Playing against the two-time reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers, this is the kind of stage that Mayfield likes and usually thrives in.
Meanwhile, the Packers won’t be winning their division for the 4th consecutive season. However, the team still has an outside chance of salvaging a postseason berth. They will need other teams to help them do this though, as their future is no longer in their own hands.
One thing going for them is that 3 out of their last 4 games will be played at Lambeau Field. After the Rams, they will play the Minnesota Vikings and the Lions, two teams up on them in the standings. The bye week could not have come at a better time. But we’ll see if that’s correct on Monday.
The Rams are playing without pressure here so that should be an advantage. Green Bay is the opposite, and they need to win out to have a chance of making the playoffs. Mayfield is used to playing in cold weather and he could deliver another magical game on Monday.
The Packers must be aggressive on offense. If they can put the pressure on the depleted Rams offense to deliver, then Green Bay will win this game. Rookie Christian Watson is coming to his own. If Rodgers can continue to find him, that could be the key to winning this game.
Prediction: Green Bay Packers
The Rams are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games played against the Packers. Los Angeles is also 0-4 ATS in their last four meetings in Green Bay. The favorite is also 10-2 ATS in the last dozen games played between these two teams.
Los Angeles Rams ATS trends:
Green Bay Packers ATS trends:
Rams
+7 (-110)
Packers
-7 (-110)
Odds from BetOnline as of 12/19/2022
The Rams have won just once in their last seven games played and have dropped their last four on the road. They have struggled with their offense all season long and those struggles are worse when playing on the road, where they score less than 15 points per game this season.
Meanwhile, Green Bay is just 2-2 in their last four games played but they have performed well offensively during that stretch, scoring 27 or more thrice during that span. Green Bay owns the 5th best passing defense in the league and is holding opponents to under 24 points per game this season.
Los Angeles does a good job defending the run but they have struggled to defend the passing game this season. Although the Packers are just 16th in the league in passing offense, they have Aaron Rodgers. This hasn’t been a great year for Rodgers. But look for him to exploit the Rams’ weak secondary.
Prediction: Packers -7
The over is 5-4-1 in the last 10 games played between these two teams. The total has gone under in five out of their last 7 games played in Green Bay.
Los Angeles Rams over/under trends:
Green Bay Packers over/under trends:
Over
39.5 (-110)
Under
39.5 (-110)
Odds from BetOnline as of 12/19/2022
These teams have combined to score 48.6 points per game in their last 10 head-to-head meetings and 51.67 points per game in their most recent three encounters.
The Rams have been terrible on offense this season, especially when playing on the road. However, the Packers defense hasn’t been spot on. Green Bay has allowed 27 or more points three times in their last four games played. Los Angeles has also allowed 26+ points four times in their last five games played and the Packers have scored 28+ points three times in their last four games played.
I’m not picking a high-scoring game but I think that despite these teams’ struggles, the total is too low.
Prediction: Over 39.5
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