Not So Ram Tough

By all accounts, this coming game versus the St. Louis Rams should be an entertaining one for Packer fans and a frustrating one for Rams fans. The Rams’ offense is last in the league and the Rams’ defense is a mediocre 16th in the league.

In fact, I’d say it’s a slam dunk except for one thing…

St. Louis Offense

The Rams have the #32 best offense in the NFL this season, outshining… well… nobody. The Rams have generated just 287.8 yards a game. The Redskins, Vikings, and Packers nearly average that much yardage in the run game alone. And, for the first time this season, the Packers will face a team that isn’t much of a threat running the ball. In fact, the Rams’ #32 offense will be facing the Packers’ #8 defense. Can you say “sack city?”

St. Louis Defense

The Rams defense isn’t much better. Ranked #16 overall, the Rams’ are just #26 against the run. Eddie Lacy and James Starks could have a great deal of fun. The Rams’ pass defense is better. They rank #14 in that category. Of course, they also have to face Aaron Rodgers. I dare say, they won’t be ranked #14 after this week.

The Caveat

There’s just one thing that concerns me. The Rams are 2-2. Those two wins have come against the Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals.

The Seahawks have been struggling this season (to say the least). Russell Wilson is the leading rusher (#29), just ahead of Thomas Rawls (#31) and way ahead of Marshawn Lynch (#41). Still, they have weapons and any team that beats them has some talent of its own.

Beating the Cardinals was another thing altogether. First of all, the Cardinals were at home against the Rams. Secondly, Arizona boasts the #4 offense in the league and the #5 defense. If the Rams can take down a team of that stature they can take down almost anyone.

Final Thoughts

Still, I see the Packers handing the Rams their third loss of the season. The game is at Lambeau and I doubt the Rams will be able to muster another powerhouse performance following their big win against the Cardinals. There will be a lot of big plays in this game and they’ll all be on the Packers’ side of the ball.