Have you experienced getting overly excited for an event that’s bound to happen at one point, only to make it to the day of said event, and feel an overall cloud of disappointment? That’s exactly the feeling for Week 15’s Monday Night Football showdown between the 5-8 Green Bay Packers and the 4-9 LA Rams.
After both teams practically managed to bring down any hopes for a playoff run, nowadays, the most interesting storyline leading up to the game is, who will benefit more from winning, Aaron Rodgers or Baker Mayfield?
For Rodgers, the shadow of retirement continues to loom. Mayfield on the other hand knows that if he wants to be on a squad next season and have a significant role, winning on prime-time TV will be of the essence.
Will Rodgers pull off another victory in what could be one of his last home games in Lambeau, or will Mayfield make the most out of his first official start with the Rams and steal the ‘W’?
Let’s check the latest NFL picks, stats, injury reports, and NFL predictions. We’ve plenty of NFL expert picks for you to consider.
The Packers Need 4 Wins for a Chance at the Playoffs
In a scenario like the one in which Green Bay is you want the best players to lead you into battle for the remainder of the season. Right? While less-experienced players can come up big in certain moments, you need players that have been through all sorts of pressure and still come out unscathed. You need a guy like Rodgers at QB.
After ratifying his ownership of the Chicago Bears back in Week 13, Rodgers now has to deal with a reality where his MVP-caliber playing style will be essential. With the Packers holding a 5-8 record, behind the Lions who are sitting at 7-7, the race for one of the NFC’s remaining wild-card spots will only continue to heat up. So what does this mean for GB’s legendary passer? It’s time to bring it and go for one last, epic push.
To beat the Rams, the key for Green Bay’s offense will reside not in a strong rushing game, but rather more in exploiting LA’s weak secondary. With Rodgers and all of his receiver corps healthy, taking LA down the field should be a breeze. If to that, the Packers add a smart and healthy dose of rushing plays, especially to move the ball and gain first downs, it will be game over for LA’s defense.
Defensively, Green Bay’s secondary should have a field day against LA’s weak receiver core. As long as the Packers’ front seven defense can stuff LA’s offensive line and Mayfield, stopping the Rams on offense shouldn’t be much of an issue. While the Packers will be without Rashan Gary leading the defense, LA still doesn’t hold any real threat to worry about.
Can Mayfield Make It Two Wins in a Row with LA?
Less than 48 hours. That’s how much time Mayfield had to suit up, try to learn LA’s offensive playbook, chill on the bench for a bit, come into the team’s last game against the Raiders, and lead them to victory. Now, with the hype back to normal levels and a trip to Wisconsin up next in the books, it’s time for Mayfield to play, not just for a win, but also even for a future in pro football.
After being cut by the Panthers, Mayfield understands that every game left in the season is his final shot to have a stable QB job in the league next season. So what is left for the former Browns and Panthers passer to do? Go out into the field and try to make the most out of an offense that lacks any firepower.
Without a real threat to offer in their passing game, the Rams should look into a last-chance effort with RB Cam Akers, especially considering that Green Bay has the worst rushing defense in the NFL. Having Akers move the ball constantly could free up Mayfield to make smarter passes and not fall into mistakes so fast.
Above all though, it will be up to LA’s offensive line to give Mayfield enough protection to try and get something going. If the O-line doesn’t become a stronghold, Mayfield will suffer and the Rams will lose, simple as that.
On defense, the Rams should focus their strategy on hitting Rodgers and Green Bay’s O-line constantly thus keeping the passer from getting the ball to receivers. With the Packers not having David Bakhtiari in the lineup tonight, the Rams should use that as an advantage, even without Aaron Donald manning their defense.
Pressuring Rodgers into making mistakes and not allowing Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon to get any room to rush could end up making the biggest difference in LA’s favor.
Is This the Beginning of Rodgers’ Last Great Ride with Green Bay?
Three factors automatically pivot the chances of scoring a win for Green Bay. First of all, the Packers have the better QB in Rodgers but come on, it doesn’t take a genius to know that. Secondly, their offensive line is a bigger threat, even with David Bakhtiari out, against a Rams defense that will be without Donald.
Lastly, the team’s secondary should be the main force in the backfield to stop a lackluster Rams offense.
The mission is simple here, four wins and a bit of help and the Packers are in the playoffs. The mission starts on Monday Night Football by beating the Rams. So roll with Rodgers and the Packers to win.
