The winner of Saturday’s playoff game between the Green Bay Packers (13-3) and the Los Angeles Rams (10-6) will face the New Orleans Saints or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game next Sunday.
See how the Packers Wire team believes the NFC Divisional Round clash with the Rams will fall:
Zach Kruse (11-5): Packers 27, Rams 20
Packers have many built-in advantages when entering this game. The difference in the quarterback is huge. There will be fans at Lambeau Field, and when the sun sets over Green Bay, it will be cold. Some of the top Rams players are dealing with injuries. And I’m not confident that the Rams will be able to score enough points – without much assistance from the Packers – to win the game. If the Packers avoid big mistakes and play their game, they advance to the NFC title game. I think the Rams probably need a big game from Cam Akers, at least two defense lessons and possibly a big mistake by a special team to win. Each can happen, but I don’t think the chances of everything going well for the Rams are high. The guess here is that the Packers start out fast, survive some big Rams swings in the middle of the game, and then get a late trip to close the deal.
Jack Wepfer (12-4): Packers 27, Rams 20
The figures suggest that this will be a good example. Attack # 1 against defense # 1. Davante Adam’s against Jalen Ramsey. Aaron and Donald against, well, probably a series of double teams and blocks of chips running back. I really think these matches will bring good football and a limited margin of error, but the Packers win because I just don’t see the Rams being able to score enough points. The Packers are deadly in the red zone, and Jared Goff will fight to match the Packers’ exit. Give me the Packers to advance to the NFC Championship.
Marty Kauffman (13-3): Packers 28, Rams 14
The stories were discussed throughout the week. Packers ‘attack on Rams’ defense. Matt LaFleur against Sean McVay. How did the Packers succeed in their attack on Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey? This Packers team arrives well rested, confident and is the best NFC team at the moment. If the Packers jump to a head start and hold on, forcing Jared Goff to throw more, Green Bay has the advantage of taking control of the game. This team has a championship feel and should prevail over Rams by double digits.
Anthony Nash (13-3): Packers 27, Rams 20
Despite the big differences between the Packers and Rams offenses, this game may end up getting closer than many might suggest. Although Rams’ attack has difficulties at times, their defense rarely seems, and they do a great job of guarding the deep ball. Despite this, the Packers can have just enough on either side of the ball to score enough and limit Rams from running the ball too far to leave this game with a win.
Nolan Stracke (14-2): Packers 31, Rams 23
All eyes are on Aaron Donald and the Rams ‘defense, but what about the Packers’ defense? They are ranked 13th in allowed points and 9th in allowed yards. Pettine’s group has taken a big step since the start of the season. I think the Rams attack, which lacks the firepower of before, will have more problems than Aaron Rodgers & Co. against the Rams’ defense. The Packers had plenty of time to come up with a plan to stop, or at least slow down, Aaron Donald and the LA front. Rodgers wants an NFC championship in Lambeau and will make sure that happens on Saturday.
Joe Kipp (14-2): Packers 27, Rams 17
It is difficult to see the Rams having much success in attack when Jared Goff is expected to equip himself with a broken thumb in sub-zero temperatures. The path to Los Angeles’s victory goes through Cam Akers and the running game. The Rams will likely need a turnaround, too, from the Packers’ attack. Unfortunately for LA, Green Bay’s attack had the least number of turnovers (11) of any NFL team this season. In defense, the Packers have to press Goff early and often. The Rams signal caller launched seven interceptions (the second most in the NFL) when under pressure this season, by PFF.
Brandon Carwile (9-3): Packers 27, Rams 17
Do you want to talk about LA defense? Let’s talk about your offense for the first time. Passing the ball is not easy for the Rams with Jared Goff dealing with a thumb injury. They emphasize ball racing and last year that would have been a big problem for Green Bay. This year’s defense looks much better than it did a year ago. There is a lot of confidence there. Offensively, Packers will be able to do just enough to score more points. Rodgers throws for two touchdowns and Green Bay runs over 140 yards in a win.
| Writer | Prediction | Score | Record |
| Zach Kruse | Win | 27-20 | 11-5 |
| Jack Wepfer | Win | 27-20 | 12-4 |
| Marty Kauffman | Win | 28-14 | 13-3 |
| Anthony Nash | Win | 27-20 | 13-3 |
| Nolan Stracke | Win | 31-23 | 14-2 |
| Joe Kipp | Win | 27-17 | 14-2 |
| Brandon Carwile | Win | 27-17 | 9-3 |