The Los Angeles Rams are coming off a six-point loss in Chicago and now return home to face another NFC North opponent.
After its second one-possession loss in four games this season against two NFC North teams, Los Angeles hosts the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon at 1:25 p.m. PT. The game will be televised on CBS.
It is a crucial game for the Rams, who do not want to find themselves behind the 8-ball with a 1-4 record through five games.
Here are four bold predictions as the Rams meet the Packers for the 100th time and the fourth time in the last four seasons.
Los Angeles Rams Ride the Home Energy
The Los Angeles Rams’ lone victory of the 2024 season in a comeback effort against NFC West divisional foe, the San Francisco 49ers. That was a win where players needed to step up in the absence of wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, on top of a couple of offensive linemen.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford was able to put together not one, but two, fourth-quarter scoring drives in the final three minutes. In the closing seconds, kicker Joshua Karty nailed a 37-yard field goal to seal the win.
That execution is what the Los Angeles Rams need to follow. This can be a matchup that can help the Rams down the stretch and can be the difference in potentially making the postseason based on tiebreakers, like last year.
Head coach Sean McVay said the execution this week in practice goes a long way toward having success on the football field.
“The field shortens, the margin for error gets that much smaller and all that being said, we have to do a better job,” McVay said Wednesday to the media. “Figuring the right spots, that will be something we have an added emphasis because it has cost us so far.”
Related: Sean McVay Reveals Key Difference Between Rams 2023 Success And 2024’s Struggles
Redzone and Turnover Margin Favor Rams
The two keys that hurt the Rams last week in the Windy City were the turnovers and the inability to finish drives, especially when the offense was within 20 yards of the end zone.
Stafford was sacked and fumbled the ball. That was followed by a missed 43-yard field goal by Karty for two missed opportunities on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter.
The 43-yard missed field goal came when the Rams got as close as the 15-yard line before a flag that stopped the momentum.
The Rams have recorded touchdowns on just 41 percent of the drives that enter the red zone. That marks the fourth worst in 2024.
Red zone success is vital to get leads and grow them as the game progresses.
“Whether it is faster starts, it always boils down to energy, edge and execution,” McVay said. “The enemy has in say that. What we’re looking for is good, quality football from the first quarter to the fourth in all different situations. Certain ones a little bit have more at stake but we’re looking for consistent execution throughout the course of the game, and really all situations, but particularly the red area.”
Also read: 3 Do’s And 1 Don’t For Los Angeles Rams To Triumph Over Packers
Ram’s run defense takes a big step forward
In the Los Angeles Rams’ first four games, they have allowed at least 130 rushing yards in each matchup. In addition, the Rams average 165.5 rushing yards allowed, the worst mark in the NFL.
In a time when the league is running the ball more, the Rams’ run defense has to respond.
Part of it comes on the defensive line and the adjustments of not having a Hall of Fame tackle in Aaron Donald. Another part, now four games into the season, is adapting and figuring out where the linemen and the linebackers need to be.
This week will be a good test for Los Angeles’ run defense. The Packers have 698 rushing yards, the second-best mark in the league. Led by running back Josh Jacobs, who is in his first season in Green Bay after beginning his career in Las Vegas, has 329 rushing yards, good for seventh-best among running backs.
Related: What Are The Realistic Expectations For The Los Angeles Rams For The Rest Of The Season?
Dontayvion Wicks will build off last week and have a monster game
Besides Jacobs, one player the Rams’ secondary will have to watch is Dontayvion Wicks. Last week, he was in a full-time role with Christian Watson going down.
He got 13 targets from quarterback Jordan Love and caught five passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
The 13 targets were tied for fifth last week with Carolina’s Diontae Johnson. Only Houston’s Nico Collins (15), Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans and New York Giants duo Malik Nabers (15) and Wan’Dale Robinson (14) had more targets last week than Wicks.
In addition, last week was Love’s first game back since he sprained his MCL in the first week of the season in Brazil against Philadelphia. Now in his second game back, he will look to find Wicks, especially with tight end Luke Musgrave questionable due to an ankle injury as well as Watson and wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who are both doubtful this week against the Rams.
Also read: Three Important Packers Return To Practice Ahead Of Week 5 Matchup With Rams