Packers - Rams Preview

The Packers will have to make some adjustments from last week's performance if they want to avoid a second straight upset. On offense, look for the Pack to mix up the play calling, and expect to see a lot of moving pocket pass plays. The Packers have not been able to protect Rodgers on 3 and 5 step drop passes, so look for McCarthey to call plays that take advantage of Rodgers' mobility. I would also like to see Green Bay bring back the screen pass that was so prevalent in the Packer offense in the 90's. Green Bay needs to get the ground game going in order to stop the constant barrage of pass blitzing seen last week. With left tackle Chad Clifton out for at least one more game the Pack will again need to mix up the offensive line. Hopefully this week Rodgers can stay off the ground, as he has already been sacked 10 times in the first 2 games.

On defense the Pack also needs to make adjustments. Last week Cedric Benson ran right through Dom Capers' 3-4 scheme. The St. Louis Rams are just itching to give Steven Jackson this same chance. So far he averages 85 yards a game, but you can bet he's looking to breakout this week. Green Bay's linebackers will need to step up big time this week, as a healthy dose of Jackson is certainly going to be thrown at them. Last week they got off to a slow start, which was obvious when safety Nick Collins had 5 solo tackles on the first two drives. I played safety in high school, so I know from experience that this is bad news for the linebackers.

The Packer defensive backfield also needs to perform better this week. With the exception of Charles Woodson, not many players came up big last week. Green Bay's secondary took a hit last week with Nick Collins' second quarter chest injury. Add that to the previous injury of safety Atari Bigby, along with the release of safety Aaron Rouse this week, and you get a huge shortage at the safety position. Collins may still be able to play; his status is currently probable. This week the Pack picked up free agent safety Matt Giordano, but expect to see more of safety Derrick Martin, who was aquired in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens 4 days before the season opener against Chicago. Martin, having played in the Ravens' 3-4 system, should be able to transition smoothly into the Packers' system. Martin has never started a game at safety, and has been playing special teams almost exclusively this season for the Packers.

If the Packers can give Rodgers time to make accurate throws, as well as establish the running game, they should have no problem putting lots of points on the board. The defense needs to control Steven Jackson and limit the big plays in the passing game. The way I see it the Packers are going to score a lot of points with Aaron Rodgers having his first multi-touchdown game, and the defense will prevent a shoot-out. Packers 31-Rams 17.