Will the Packers beat the injury-plagued Rams?
While the first four teams in the NFL have their bye week and thus a break from playing, 28 teams are still going strong. These teams include the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers, and a prediction on the Wisconsin franchise in a direct duel seems tempting.
But let’s start with Sean McVay’s team, who lost to the Chicago Bears in Week 4 after their comeback win in Week 3. Are they now set to suffer their next defeat against an opponent from the NFC North? Odds of up to 2.45 are available between the Rams and Packers if LA can avoid their fourth defeat of the season.
It almost came down to a comeback win for Green Bay against the Vikings. In the end, the scoreboard at the legendary “Lambeau Field” showed a 29:31. Can we expect another offensive fireworks display on Sunday? When the Rams host the Packers, a tip on points should definitely be considered.
Rams – statistics & current form
After their success against the Niners in week three, the euphoria in the “City of Angels” was unmistakable. Despite numerous injuries, they were able to avoid an absolute false start to the season. However, after their recent defeat, they currently still have a 1-3 record in last place in the NFC West.
Injuries as far as the eye can see
The injury concerns for the McVay team are not getting any smaller at the moment. Before the game against the Bears, quarterback Matthew Stafford’s most important target, Cooper Kupp, was out again. With wide receivers Kupp and Puka Nacua out, it’s not surprising that the team again didn’t score a touchdown through the air. The forecasts for the return of the two top receivers are also poor for the Rams’ game against the Packers. So Tutu Atwell and rookie Jordan Whittington will probably have to be at the center of the offense again.
But if the passing game only works to a rudimentary extent, it will be very difficult for this unit, because success in the Rungame is at best manageable. With 3.7 yards per play, LA has one of the league’s least effective running games, certainly due to the injury-weakened offensive line. However, Kyren Williams is the most reliable touchdown scorer in an LA uniform. If he manages a successful visit to the end zone for the fifth game in a row, attractive betting odds await at Betano online between the Rams and Packers.
But it is not only the offense that is causing the 2021 Super Bowl champion to worry. The defense not only allowed opponents to average the second-most yards over the first four weeks, but also 28.8 points. Only two teams have allowed more points league-wide so far. It is therefore less surprising that LA has allowed an average of 3.5 touchdowns per game so far.
Key Players:
- QB: Matthew Stafford
- RB: Kyren Williams
- WR: Tutu Atwell
- TE: Colby Parkinson
- K: Joshua Karty
Packers – statistics & current form
Quarterback Jordan Love is back with the Packers. Somewhat surprisingly, the news that the 25-year-old is available again after just two weeks off due to injury came a day before the game against Minnesota. However, he still seemed a bit inhibited in the first few drives, and his two interceptions in the first four series of attacks allowed the Vikings to take a quick 28-0 lead.
Positive prognosis thanks to Love?
The Packers never recovered from this deficit and ultimately lost by a narrow margin. However, the second half definitely whetted the appetite for more, both offensively and defensively. Matt LeFleur’s team held their division rivals to just three points in the second half and scored three touchdowns themselves. Love’s stat sheet showed four touchdown passes and three interceptions at the end. So the firepower of the offense is still there. Although Christian Watson, one of the most important fixtures for the playmaker in the passing game, is out, the unit still has plenty of potential with Jordan Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Tucker Kraft.
This is also shown by the statistics, with five different pass receivers already scoring a touchdown. That’s exactly why a bet on at least two touchdown passes from Love is tempting between the Rams and Packers. This option is also interesting because there have only been two rushing touchdowns to go with the eight passing touchdowns. Otherwise, the running game is definitely a factor in the game of the team from Wisconsin, which, with 174.5 yards, has the second-best rushing offense, at least on paper.
Defensively, one newcomer in particular has made a name for himself over the first four weeks: Xavier McKinney. The 25-year-old, who came over from the Giants, caught an interception in each of his first four appearances in a Packers jersey. This ensures him a place in the franchise history books! Green Bay leads the league with a total of eight interceptions. In general, however, this unit has taken a big step forward compared to last year. The change of coordinator and the investments of recent years are slowly paying off. It would, of course, help the pass defense if cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was sidelined against Minnesota at short notice, returns. According to head coach LeFleur, however, things are looking good.
Key Players:
- QB: Jordan Love
- RB: Josh Jacobs
- WR: Jordan Reed
- TE: Tucker Kraft
- K: Brayden Narveson
Rams – Packers Head-to-Head / H2H Record
Anniversary matchup! This will be the 100th time the two franchises face each other on Sunday evening. However, while the organization from Wisconsin has always been based in Green Bay, the Rams have changed location three times. From Cleveland to LA via San Diego, they returned to the “City of Angels” in 2016. There have been five games since the move back to Los Angeles. The “cheeseheads” won the last four editions of the duel.
Rams – Packers Tip
We would play this game without hesitation, but the value is relatively modest. That’s why we are opting for the variant in which the home side covers the offered handicap in the markets of 3.5 points. We see Green Bay as even more clearly in the lead than the bookmakers, mainly due to the lack of playmakers on the visitors’ side.
