Packers vs Rams: Previews & Predictions

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BB VIEW & INJURY REPORT

http://www.bratsandbeer.com/posts/2007/12/638

Needing two victories over the next three games to clinch a first-round bye, this isn’t technically a must-win game for the Packers, but coming off that blowout over the Raiders you’d sure like to see them continue to build momentum heading towards the playoffs. And on paper at least, Green Bay should be able to handle St. Louis easily. The Rams were early season favorites to make a playoff run this year, but they’ve been banged up by injuries and have managed to win just three games. Their offense is ranked 29th in the league in scoring, while the defense has allowed an average of 24 points a game. The offensive line had its best performance of the season last week.

Aaron Kampman was also out of practice yesterday suffering from back spasms, but he too is expected to bounce back and be in the lineup on Sunday. It has been noted in several places that Green Bay’s defensive line has gone without a sack the past couple weeks, so it would be good to see that unit really step it up in St. Louis. Most notably, rookie Justin Harrell needs to have a good game and prove his worth as a first-round draft pick now that Johnny Jolly has been placed on IR along with Colin Cole. You know, a nice lamb dinner is especially good this time of year around the holidays. One of the favorites around the Brats & Beer household is roasted leg of lamb crusted with rosemary and other herbs.


NOTE: Q BULGER STARTING? A LAUGHABLE SHOCKER...SPOILERS ARE A DIME A DOZEN!

http://www.packersnews.com/includes/newspaper/blogs/insider/index.shtml

Doubtful
CB Jarrett Bush (calf, limited participation)
QB Aaron Rodgers (hamstring, limited participation)
LB Tracy White (ankle, limited participation)

Questionable

DE Aaron Kampman (back, did not participate)

Probable

LT Chad Clifton (shoulder, limited participation)
RG Junius Coston (ankle, limited participation)
TE Bubba Franks (knee, limited participation)
CB Al Harris (heel, limited participation)
RT Mark Tauscher (ankle, limited participation)
CB Charles Woodson (toe, limited participation)

:USA: :yeah: :agree: :eek:mg:
 

cheesey

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Re: BB VIEW & INJURY REPORT

Favre wasn't on the injury report?
Guess he must be all better! (Which is GREAT!)
 
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USA TODAY PREVIEW

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-12-13-week-15-preview_N.htm

GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-2) at ST. LOUIS RAMS (3-10)

• Sheridan's line: Packers by 9½.

• Last meeting: Rams won 23-20 at Green Bay last season.

• Overwhelm with firepower: The Rams are ranked 16th in the league against the pass because so many opponents have milked the running game with big leads. St. Louis has little hope of matching up against the Packers' spread look without injured CB Tye Hill. But Green Bay will also continue to develop their running game behind RB Ryan Grant.

• Do not give the line a fighting chance: Rams QB Marc Bulgerwill start. St. Louis will try to figure out a way to produce on the ground outside of the occasional big play.

• Need to know: Packers QB Brett Favre needs 184 passing yards to break Dan Marino's league record of 61,361.
 
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PACKERSNEWS.COM SCOUTING REPORT

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071215/PKR01/71213174/1058/PKRFeatures

Scouting report: Packers match up well against injury-ravaged Rams


Packers run offense vs. Rams run defense

Ryan Grant is coming off a career-high 156 yards rushing in last week’s win over Oakland. The Rams defensive line is underperforming. Edge: Packers

Rams run offense vs. Packers run defense

St. Louis’ Steven Jackson is one of the premier backs in the league. The Rams need a strong game from him to compete. Edge: [Packers]

Packers pass offense vs. Rams pass defense

The Rams secondary is non-descript and led by former Vikings safety Corey Chavous. St. Louis simply doesn’t have the bodies to match up. Edge: Packers

Rams pass offense vs. Packers pass defense

If quarterback Marc Bulger does play, that gives St. Louis a fighting chance against Green Bay’s solid corners. However, the Rams offensive line is in shambles. Edge: Packers

Special teams

Rams returner Dante Hall is the best kick returner in the NFL west of the Bears’ Devin Hester. Jeff Wilkins is a steady, veteran kicker. Edge: None

Coaching

The Packers continue to be one of the biggest surprises in the NFL, thanks largely to the coaching of Mike McCarthy. Scott Linehan has seen his team suffer season-ending injuries up-and-down the roster. Edge: Packers

Intangibles

Green Bay has played well on the road under McCarthy and the Edward Jones Dome offers no tangible home advantage for the Rams. [Maybe more Packers fans attending than Rams fans] Edge: Packers

Overall
Look for the Packers defensive line to have a field day with the battered Rams offensive line in a likely double-digit Packers victory. Edge: Packers
 

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I see #4 throwing for 400 yrds & 4 TD
GJ, JJ, DD, K-robb all score
GB 28-Rams 0

Man that would be sweet. I have BF in my fantasy league and GB's def. 25 points for a shutout baby
 

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Rouse isn't on the injury report either...So is he playing then

Probably at some time. I doubt he's starting. If my memory serves me right, he played a couple of downs last week.
 

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I saw Rouse and Bigby in there on a play where Bigby blitzed, and even though I later realized Collins was out for some plays and one of them could have been that one, it made me consider having ALL THREE in on some defensive plays, with Bigby as an extra blitzer and Collins/Rouse in coverage. What do you guys think? It would be different than having a nickelback in there, that's for sure.
 

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I saw Rouse and Bigby in there on a play where Bigby blitzed, and even though I later realized Collins was out for some plays and one of them could have been that one, it made me consider having ALL THREE in on some defensive plays, with Bigby as an extra blitzer and Collins/Rouse in coverage. What do you guys think? It would be different than having a nickelback in there, that's for sure.

The less that Bigby is in coverage, the better...we definitely don't pass rush our linebackers so having a package in place with Collins and Rouse in coverage with a blitz from Bigby is something I'd like to see. He's a very good tackler and the only penalty we'd have to worry about him getting would be a late hit or facemask....ugh damn your penalities Bigby. But no I would like that.

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Forgive me for my poor use of MS Paint...overload the weak side, the right OT's not gonna be able to block Bigby and Kampman. 2 backers in there, preferably Hawk and Barnizzle with their eyes in the backfield and taking care of the rb's. Lock up Rouse on the tight end with Al and Charles playing man bump and run of course. Give Collins center field and play over the top of the deep routes. I'm no D coordinator but it's favorable match-ups all around
 
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WJS GAME BREAKDOWN & PREDICTION: GOOD!

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/index.php?ntid=262419&ntpid=3

Packers: Game breakdown, prediction

WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE THE BALL

When quarterback Brett Favre watched the film of the Rams' recent game against Seattle, he couldn't believe what he saw: St. Louis defensive coordinator Jim Haslett blitzing on virtually every down. Desperate times call for desperate measures, evidently. The linebackers — Will Witherspoon, Brandon Chillar and Chris Draft — are the heart of the defense. On the line, 13th overall pick Adam Carriker plays inside and out. Without pass rusher Leonard Little, the ends are Victor Adeyanju and ex-Detroit Lion James Hall. In the back end, the Rams are without starting LCB Tye Hill, another injury casualty, so they'll start Fakhir Brown and Ron Bartell. Favre said the key to beating the Rams is to find the receiver who's invariably wide open whenever Haslett calls a blitz. Advantage: Green Bay.

WHEN THE RAMS HAVE THE BALL

Running back Steven Jackson is a fabulous player. Although he missed four games with a torn groin muscle, he has bounced back since. While his numbers — 719 yards on 183 carries (3.9-yard average) and four touchdowns — are disappointing, he's been effective lately, with a 50-yard run in each of the past three games. At wideout, age has somewhat caught up to Torry Holt (80 catches, 1,034 yards) and Isaac Bruce (42-535), while free-agent signee Drew Bennett hasn't been nearly productive enough (25-271) to merit his big-money deal. The offensive line is a mess, with Alex Barron the only starter still healthy, and he's moved from right tackle to left tackle to replace perennial Pro Bowl selection Orlando Pace. The quarterback situation is looking up with Marc Bulger apparently over a Nov. 25 concussion. For Green Bay, the big concern is the pass rush, which had recorded at least two sacks in 10 consecutive games before being shutout in back-to-back weeks. Coordinator Bob Sanders may have to blitz more — as he did last week against Oakland — to generate pressure. Advantage: Green Bay.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Rams' specialists, P Donnie Jones and K Jeff Wilkins, are very good, but the Rams clearly miss return man extraordinaire Dante Hall, who is on injured reserve. To replace him, they brought in ex-University of Wisconsin return man Brandon Williams, who missed last week's game with an ankle injury. The Packers' units have had their unfortunate moments this season, but last week was one of the special teams' finest hours in a season of several, as Will Blackmon scored on a punt return and a fumble recovery. However, Mason Crosby missed two more field goals, leaving him 2-for-6 in his past two home games. Thankfully for him, he'll be in a climate-controlled dome Sunday. Advantage: Green Bay.

INTANGIBLES

To the Rams' credit, despite the injuries and an 0-8 start, they haven't quit on coach Scott Linehan. Although the Packers have clinched the NFC North, they still have plenty to play for. NFC West champion Seattle (9-4) and NFC South leader Tampa Bay (8-5) are chasing the Packers for the No. 2 seed. With any luck, the Packers could clinch the seed Sunday. Advantage: Green Bay.

PREDICTION

There's no legitimate reason to pick against the Packers, although the early double-digit point-spread felt a little high. It was surprising to hear some reporters this week asking about complacency and the idea of resting key players when the No. 2 seed still hasn't been secured. It may not feel like a big game after the division-clinching victory last week, but Sunday's game is pretty important. The guess here is it won't be until the Dec. 30 season finale against Detroit that the word "meaningless" can legitimately be used. Packers 31, Rams 21. Season record: 9-4.
 

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Re: PACKERSNEWS.COM SCOUTING REPORT

Special teams

Rams returner Dante Hall is the best kick returner in the NFL west of the Bears’ Devin Hester. Jeff Wilkins is a steady, veteran kicker. Edge: None

I forgot the Rams have Dante Hall. He's always fun to watch. He scored one TD this year on either a punt or kickoff return. He's not the same Dante Hall that dominated the league in '03 though. He's lost a step or two since then.

Rams' OL won't be able to stop the Packers' DL. This will be the doom of the Rams. Bulger's a good QB, but only Brett Favre can complete passes on his way down. 31-10, Packers.
 

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dhpackr said:
I see #4 throwing for 400 yrds & 4 TD
GJ, JJ, DD, K-robb all score
GB 28-Rams 0

Man that would be sweet. I have BF in my fantasy league and GB's def. 25 points for a shutout baby
I don't think we will shut them out.
ONLY because i see us having a big lead, and us putting in our backups in the 4th quarter, thus allowing them some points in "garbage" time.
But it WOULD be sweet if we did shut them out......for all Packer fans, and especially for you! I'm hoping they do it for you KGB!
 

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bozz_2006 said:
Westbrook is a smart cookie.
he's my fantasy RB in a close playoff game. if he costs me the victory, i'm gonna hit him in the shins with a hockey stick.

PS go eagles!
He cost you points giving up that TD! But he assured a victory for his team............and US!
 

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