motife
12-15-2007, 10:20 AM
Earlier this week, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Packers and Rams. Now they're back with a second look.
Matchup to watch
St. Louis RB Steven Jackson vs. Green Bay MLB Nick Barnett
Jackson is what makes the Rams' ground game go and Barnett is the Packers' leading tackler. Jackson is a north-south runner that has more than enough juke ability to make people miss in the hole as well as in the open field. He not only produces in the running game, but he forces defenses to often commit an extra defender in the box to slow him down, which opens things up for the passing game. Jackson is also an extremely competent receiver out of the backfield.
Barnett is an all pro linebacker that can scrape to the hole and stop the ball carrier before he has a chance to gain momentum. He is also second on the team in interceptions with two. This will be a classic matchup of a great ball carrier against a great defender and there are sure to be a lot of loud, explosive collisions.
If Jackson is allowed to get off to a quick start and break some long ones it will do a lot to keep the Rams in this game. However, if Barnett and company are able to stop Jackson before he gets on track and force the Rams into a catch-up mode where they have to throw the ball this game could get ugly.
Can the Rams keep this game close?
Each win for the Packers brings them closer to home field advantage for more than just one week. Right now they have the second best record in the NFC and would stay at home until they meet the Dallas Cowboys. While it is unlikely that they will match and surpass the Cowboys' record they do want to maintain their lead over the next best team, the Seattle Seahawks. Because of that, they are likely to play to win in these last three games. As long as QB Brett Favre is in the game he only knows one way to play football and that is all-out and shooting for the moon. Don't expect the Packers to ease off against the Rams, because they know the Rams can put points on the board.
The Rams will be playing loose and like they have nothing to lose. Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett is going to throw everything he has at Favre in an attempt to force him into some ill-advised passes and force some turnovers. However, it is the offense that will be asked to step it up in order to keep it close as well as to give them a chance to win. The Rams need to be able to run the ball in order to eat up clock and keep the ball out of Favre's hands. Since his return from injury, RB Steven Jackson has been running hard and been a workhorse in the backfield. The offensive line has done an excellent job of sustaining their blocks and providing Jackson with creases to run through. If they can keep this up they have a chance to sustain some long drives and keep this game close.
When do the Packers rest Favre?
The question is always a tough one in Green Bay. First of all, Favre does not like to be sat down, even when the outcome is no longer in question. Secondly, backup QB Aaron Rodgers is still nursing a sore hamstring and may not even be available to play. If the Packers jump on the Rams early and go in at halftime with a large lead, don't be surprised to see backup Craig Nall enter to do mop up duty.
However, as long as there is a chance that St. Louis could get back into the game Favre will play. He has shown a tremendous ability to avoid injuries thanks to an extremely quick release plus the fact that he does not try to gain that extra yard or two when he is forced to run the ball. He knows that it is more important for him to come back and play in the next series than it is to gain that extra yard.
Can the Rams slow down Favre and his receivers?
While the Packers have found a new and improved ground game, it is still secondary to their ability to move the ball through the air. The Packers are the best in the league when it comes to advancing the ball after the catch. Favre does a great job of hitting his receivers in stride and leading them to space and away from defenders.
What St. Louis needs to do is to get physical with the Packers' receivers and re-route them to not only throw off the timing of Favre, but to also squeeze them back to the middle of the field where they will have help from their safeties. Expect Haslett to play a lot of nickel and dime coverage in order to flood the zones with defenders and to make it difficult to gain much after the catch. He will also likely throw in a lot of stunts and games up front in an attempt to confuse the blocking schemes of a recently-revamped offensive line. While it is almost impossible to stop Green Bay's passing game the Rams do have a chance of at least slowing it down.
With the Rams just playing the season out and looking to the future as they evaluate their talent the Packers are trying to lock up as many home field games as possible for the playoffs. Favre is on a roll and having one of his best years ever and his receivers are maturing each and every game as he shows more confidence in their ability to not only catch the ball, but get yards after the catch. Expect the Packers to run the ball as much as they can while still moving the chains and the Rams will do the same thing in an attempt to keep the ball out of Favre's hands.
If St. Louis gets behind early and has to throw the ball to play catch-up the game could get out of hand. Haslett has the defense playing well enough to keep the score close, but the Packers just have too many weapons and a quarterback that is making history with every game.
Donald Driver, Packers: In previous years, Driver was a definite start every week because he was capable of putting up good fantasy numbers against pretty much any and all matchups. That hasn't been the case this year, and wasn't the case last week when Driver put up only three points against a strong Raiders secondary.
That won't be a problem for him this week. The Rams' secondary has looked better of late, but I'm still not convinced this unit is very good. Driver is due to face Ron Bartell, a backup cornerback who is starting due to injury and who I have rated as a C-minus, so Driver should see a lot of passes this week.
Prediction: Packers 27, Rams 17
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Matchup to watch
St. Louis RB Steven Jackson vs. Green Bay MLB Nick Barnett
Jackson is what makes the Rams' ground game go and Barnett is the Packers' leading tackler. Jackson is a north-south runner that has more than enough juke ability to make people miss in the hole as well as in the open field. He not only produces in the running game, but he forces defenses to often commit an extra defender in the box to slow him down, which opens things up for the passing game. Jackson is also an extremely competent receiver out of the backfield.
Barnett is an all pro linebacker that can scrape to the hole and stop the ball carrier before he has a chance to gain momentum. He is also second on the team in interceptions with two. This will be a classic matchup of a great ball carrier against a great defender and there are sure to be a lot of loud, explosive collisions.
If Jackson is allowed to get off to a quick start and break some long ones it will do a lot to keep the Rams in this game. However, if Barnett and company are able to stop Jackson before he gets on track and force the Rams into a catch-up mode where they have to throw the ball this game could get ugly.
Can the Rams keep this game close?
Each win for the Packers brings them closer to home field advantage for more than just one week. Right now they have the second best record in the NFC and would stay at home until they meet the Dallas Cowboys. While it is unlikely that they will match and surpass the Cowboys' record they do want to maintain their lead over the next best team, the Seattle Seahawks. Because of that, they are likely to play to win in these last three games. As long as QB Brett Favre is in the game he only knows one way to play football and that is all-out and shooting for the moon. Don't expect the Packers to ease off against the Rams, because they know the Rams can put points on the board.
The Rams will be playing loose and like they have nothing to lose. Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett is going to throw everything he has at Favre in an attempt to force him into some ill-advised passes and force some turnovers. However, it is the offense that will be asked to step it up in order to keep it close as well as to give them a chance to win. The Rams need to be able to run the ball in order to eat up clock and keep the ball out of Favre's hands. Since his return from injury, RB Steven Jackson has been running hard and been a workhorse in the backfield. The offensive line has done an excellent job of sustaining their blocks and providing Jackson with creases to run through. If they can keep this up they have a chance to sustain some long drives and keep this game close.
When do the Packers rest Favre?
The question is always a tough one in Green Bay. First of all, Favre does not like to be sat down, even when the outcome is no longer in question. Secondly, backup QB Aaron Rodgers is still nursing a sore hamstring and may not even be available to play. If the Packers jump on the Rams early and go in at halftime with a large lead, don't be surprised to see backup Craig Nall enter to do mop up duty.
However, as long as there is a chance that St. Louis could get back into the game Favre will play. He has shown a tremendous ability to avoid injuries thanks to an extremely quick release plus the fact that he does not try to gain that extra yard or two when he is forced to run the ball. He knows that it is more important for him to come back and play in the next series than it is to gain that extra yard.
Can the Rams slow down Favre and his receivers?
While the Packers have found a new and improved ground game, it is still secondary to their ability to move the ball through the air. The Packers are the best in the league when it comes to advancing the ball after the catch. Favre does a great job of hitting his receivers in stride and leading them to space and away from defenders.
What St. Louis needs to do is to get physical with the Packers' receivers and re-route them to not only throw off the timing of Favre, but to also squeeze them back to the middle of the field where they will have help from their safeties. Expect Haslett to play a lot of nickel and dime coverage in order to flood the zones with defenders and to make it difficult to gain much after the catch. He will also likely throw in a lot of stunts and games up front in an attempt to confuse the blocking schemes of a recently-revamped offensive line. While it is almost impossible to stop Green Bay's passing game the Rams do have a chance of at least slowing it down.
With the Rams just playing the season out and looking to the future as they evaluate their talent the Packers are trying to lock up as many home field games as possible for the playoffs. Favre is on a roll and having one of his best years ever and his receivers are maturing each and every game as he shows more confidence in their ability to not only catch the ball, but get yards after the catch. Expect the Packers to run the ball as much as they can while still moving the chains and the Rams will do the same thing in an attempt to keep the ball out of Favre's hands.
If St. Louis gets behind early and has to throw the ball to play catch-up the game could get out of hand. Haslett has the defense playing well enough to keep the score close, but the Packers just have too many weapons and a quarterback that is making history with every game.
Donald Driver, Packers: In previous years, Driver was a definite start every week because he was capable of putting up good fantasy numbers against pretty much any and all matchups. That hasn't been the case this year, and wasn't the case last week when Driver put up only three points against a strong Raiders secondary.
That won't be a problem for him this week. The Rams' secondary has looked better of late, but I'm still not convinced this unit is very good. Driver is due to face Ron Bartell, a backup cornerback who is starting due to injury and who I have rated as a C-minus, so Driver should see a lot of passes this week.
Prediction: Packers 27, Rams 17
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