https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/10/25/nfl-rams-packers-week-8-matchups-sunday/
Packers vs. Rams: 5 key matchups to watch in Week 8
By: Cameron DaSilva
John Johnson vs. Jimmy Graham
In the Rams’ talent-littered secondary, Johnson might be the best of the bunch. The second-year safety is tied for the NFL lead with three interceptions and has become a consistent playmaker since a shaky Week 1 outing against Jared Cook. He’ll once again have his hands full with an uber-athletic tight end in Jimmy Graham.
Graham is Aaron Rodgers’ second-favorite option on offense, targeting him 45 times – only trailing Davante Adams’ 71 targets. Johnson has the size and athleticism to match up with Graham, but this week, he’ll be asked to cover the slot more often, rather than just an inline alignment for Graham.
Expect Rodgers to look Graham’s way often, especially when the Packers get near the end zone. Stopping the big tight end could be the difference in touchdowns or field goals for Green Bay.
Aaron Donald vs. Packers’ guards
The 49ers had no answer for Donald on Sunday and it’s unlikely the Packers will, either. Very few teams do. Coming off a four-sack outing, Donald will look to continue his hot streak this weekend against a much better offensive line in Green Bay. Justin McCray is healthy again and may be in line to get the start, which would bump Byron Bell from the right guard spot. That’s yet to be determined. On the left side, it’ll be Lane Taylor.
Donald has shown no one can stop him one-on-one, so expect to see plenty of Corey Linsley shading his way in pass protection. If Donald has the sort of game he had in Week 7, Rodgers and the Packers will be in trouble, especially with Rodgers playing on a knee that isn’t 100 percent.
Troy Hill vs. Davante Adams
Adams lines up on both sides of the formation, but he’s most frequently found as the X receiver on the left side of the offense. With Marcus Peters playing left cornerback, that means Troy Hill or Sam Shields will be asked to cover Adams more often than not. After all, why would the Packers put their best receiver against Peters if they don’t have to?
Hill was fantastic against San Francisco and will need to turn in another solid performance this weekend. Back-shoulder throws are a staple of the Packers offense between Rodgers and Adams, given how difficult they are to defend when executed properly. If Hill isn’t up to the task, Wade Phillips could give Shields a look instead. This might be the most important matchup for the Rams defense.
Wade Phillips vs. Aaron Rodgers
If you want to beat the Packers, objective No. 1 has to be stopping Rodgers. How do you accomplish that? Good question. There’s no specific formula for limiting arguably the most talented passer of all time, considering how good he is in the pocket, outside the pocket, throwing off his back foot, with a side-arm release – deep or short. You name it, Rodgers can make the throw.
For Phillips, the challenge will be doing just enough to slow him down slightly. Whether that’s with blitzes off the edge combined with Donald rushing inside or having the cornerbacks play more man coverage than they already do, Phillips must devise a game plan to keep Rodgers in check – a near-impossible task, of course.
Todd Gurley vs. Packers LBs
The Packers have really struggled to stop the run this season, ranking 22nd in rushing yards allowed. The Rams, on the other hand, lead the league in yards on the ground, which makes this a difficult matchup for Green Bay. That sound you hear is Gurley licking his chops.
The Packers have three linebackers they can deploy in Blake Martinez, Antonio Morrison and Oren Burks. Martinez will play all three downs, but Morrison is a better run defender than he is a coverage linebacker. Burks is just the opposite, which could make for some enticing matchups for Sean McVay.
Running against this front typically presents success, especially with Burks on the field. When it’s Morrison, Gurley can have an even greater impact in the passing game as a receiver. Either way, this matchup greatly favors the Rams.
