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Packers vs Rams: Previews & Predictions
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<blockquote data-quote="TOPHAT" data-source="post: 193514" data-attributes="member: 781"><p><strong>WJS GAME BREAKDOWN & PREDICTION: GOOD!</strong></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/index.php?ntid=262419&ntpid=3" target="_blank">http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/index.php?ntid=262419&ntpid=3</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Packers: Game breakdown, prediction </strong></p><p></p><p><strong>WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE THE BALL</strong></p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p><strong>WHEN THE RAMS HAVE THE BALL</strong></p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p><strong>SPECIAL TEAMS</strong></p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p><strong>INTANGIBLES</strong></p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p><strong>PREDICTION</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>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.</strong></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TOPHAT, post: 193514, member: 781"] [b]WJS GAME BREAKDOWN & PREDICTION: GOOD![/b] [url]http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/index.php?ntid=262419&ntpid=3[/url] [b]Packers: Game breakdown, prediction [/b] [b]WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE THE BALL[/b] 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. [b]WHEN THE RAMS HAVE THE BALL[/b] 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. [b]SPECIAL TEAMS[/b] 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. [b]INTANGIBLES[/b] 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. [b]PREDICTION[/b] [b]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.[/b] [/QUOTE]
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