Stars should be “a-lined” for Packers against Rams

By GERY WOELFEL

Ask any NFL coach and they won’t hesitate in telling you the most important element of a football team is the offensive and defensive lines.

There’s no better example of that than the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams’ offensive and defensive lines have been deplorable this season. It’s the principal reason they have a 1-3 record.

The Packers have the good fortune of playing the Rams Sunday in Los Angeles. Unless the Rams have found a miraculous cure for their line ailments, the Packers should have their way.

Offensively, the Rams’ line is a sieve. They can’t keep their star quarterback Matthew Stafford safe in the pocket. Pro Football Focus ranks the Rams as the worst pass block line in the NFL.

What’s more, Stafford has already been sacked 13 times. That’s the sixth most in the league

Defensively, the Ram’s line problems are even more glaring. They are the second-worst in the league in yards allowed at 385 and, against the run, the Rams rank dead last in the NFL. They have allowed an insane average of 165.5 yards rushing a game.

Again, barring a miraculous turnaround, the Rams will have a major problem stopping the Packers run game, especially since the Packers have a quality offensive line and a quality running back in Josh Jacobs.

The only way the Packers don’t beat the Rams and the spread – the Packers are 3-point favorites – is if they aren’t focused. And that shouldn’t be a problem The should be keenly award the Rams will be extremely motivated knowing another loss could put them in a Grand Canyon-size hole for making the playoffs..

Prediction: Packers 27, Rams 20.