St. Louis Rams at Green Bay Packers: Week 5 Predictions

The St. Louis Rams [2-2] head out to Lambeau to take on the Green Bay Packers [4-0] this Sunday. Who wins? The TST staff have their predictions...

By Brandon Bate@NoPlanB_ Oct 9, 2015, 11:00am CDT

The St. Louis Rams could make a huge statement this weekend, as they take on the undefeated Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field. The Rams have lost four consecutive against the Packers, but I think it’s fair to say the 2015 team isn’t the "Same Old Sorry Ass Rams."

Coming off a big road win in Week 4, the Rams have an opportunity to continue that momentum with another road victory as they head into their bye week. Whether or not we see a Rams team who dominates NFC West opponents, or plays up/down to the level of it’s competition, remains to be seen.

It’s anyone’s guess at this point. But the Turf Show Times’ staff, as usual, have their predictions...

Sean Wilkinson [@Papa_Lurch]

The Rams 'Bend but don't Break' philosophy won't work against Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy and Co. in Green Bay. Then again, the Rams have played to the level of their opponents thus far in 2015 so I'm not going to count them out of any game.

Everyone expects the Packers to win big, but I think that the Rams can keep it close. Expect the Rams DL to harass Rodgers all day and keep things interesting. But brring another offensive explosion from the Rams trio on offense, I don't think they have enough to win.

Prediction: Packers win 27-20

DouglasM [@thenovelroad]

This game will feature the two teams TIED for second place in QB sacks... Oh, and there's this guy named Aaron something-or-other who should play a role too...

Interestingly, these two teams actually match up well. The Rams secondary - combined with a ferocious pass rush - will be a challenge for any NFL quarterback. Of concern for St. Louis fans will be outside linebacker Alec Ogletree undergoing ankle surgery, missing this game. Akeem Ayers looks to replace the #3 tackler in the NFL. Yes, and Green Bay's Eddie Lacy won't make that an easy thing to do...

On the offensive side of the ball for the Rams, the awakening of rookie running back Todd Gurley couldn't have come at a better time. He'll force teams to look at the Rams' offense with more concern than before now. Tavon Austin is getting some attention too. The lightning fast WR/RB/PR can't be left unaccounted for on every play. Things seem to be coming together - slowly - for the Rams right now, but a trip to storied Lambeau Field is going to make it tough to sling two victories together.

Make no mistake, while Rodgers will engineer needed passes, this game will come down to who controls the clock with a solid rushing attack. To that end, I see this game being closer than most do. I'll take the homer route.

Prediction: Rams win 33-24

GoRamsGo

Hmm, I've improved to a solid 1-3 for my Rams' predictions this year... I guess that tends to happen when a team is involved in two huge upsets and two disappointments.

So, I'm torn. My first inclination has to be to pick the Packers. The Packers are a clear Super Bowl candidate even without Jordy Nelson, and they're just a better team than the Rams. When you couple that with a road game, I'd almost definitely choose the Packers. However, a couple things shake in the Rams' favor.

Here are two teams the Packers have struggled against lately: the 49ers and Seahawks. Prior to this year, the last time the Packers defeated an NFC West team was in 2012; from 2012-2014, the Packers combined to go 0-5 against the Seahawks and 49ers. Kaepernick saw some of his best games as a pro against the Packers, and the Seahawks notably held Rodgers under 200 yards TWICE last season. Why is this important?

The entire NFC West has an incredibly similar play style. Dominant pass rushes and defenses, though the Seahawks certainly have a better secondary than the Rams, which definitely helps in controlling Rodgers. Still, constant pressure in the backfield by the dominant Rams' defensive line should stop Rodgers from expressing the totality of his talent. Perhaps containing Lacy, who's been a bit banged up this year, could slow the offense just enough.

The Seahawks and 49ers have both found success jamming the ball down the Packers' throats. Prior to this season, the most recent five games against NFC West opponents saw the Packers give up at least 150 yards rushing 4/5 times. With Todd Gurley looking like the player we hoped he would be, the Rams need to exploit that. Honestly, a Packers-Rams game favors the Rams matchup-wise, if they can simply take advantage of it.

The Packers are better, but the Rams are well-equipped for this match up. Green Bay has yet to lose, but neither had the Cardinals--Green Bay has escaped a weakened 49ers team and a should-be 1-3 Seahawks team, which shows that, perhaps, those two teams aren't all that they once were. So, call me crazy, but I'm taking the upset--Green Bay has a tendency to perform poorly against the NFC West, and they've managed two wins already this season. Let's count on them not getting a 3rd.

Prediction: Rams win 21-20

sergey606 [@thatsergey]

Hint: it's gonna be a crapshoot.

Who do I even pick? Rams coming off an upset? Or a steamroll machine that is the Packers? To most people it'll come as a shock that most people in Alaska (where I grew up) are Packers, Steelers, or Seahawks fans. Anyway, I married one of those Packers fans. So this game has a special meaning to me. I cheer for the Packers when they don't play us, they're like my second string team....that makes the playoffs more that my first string team.

Enough with the soapbox, I'm cutting to the chase with this one. I'm throwing away my Rams/Packers homer hat. This Rams team, like all since Fisher took over, is unpredictable. I think they give the Packers a hard time on offense this week.

Prediction: Rams win 34-20

VTRamsFan [@PeterDunbar]

Last week the Rams beat Arizona with a stingy defense, some bounces and calls that went their way, some big plays from Tavon (Honorable mention, Foles) and a rookie RB showing glimpses of what he could become.

With that said, even though the defense stiffened up in the red zone, it did give up over 400 yards.

I expect the Packers to have more offensive success than the Cardinals in the red zone, particularly with Rodgers behind center.

It will be a good effort for the Rams but in the end, on the road for the second week in a row, facing Rodgers, and without Ogletree will just be too much.

Prediction: Packers win 30-16

Mike Dietrich [@dvond]

Rams defense on "bending but not break" finally are exposed as they have been living on borrowed time, and now face the best Qb in football. Packers also are in Top 5 in sacks and will cause this offensive line to struggle on a very tough road environment . The large lead will negate Gurley.

Prediction: Packers win 31-20

Misone [@MightyOrMisone]

The Rams will face what could very well end up being their hardest challenge this season. The Packers are a potent offense thanks to the presence of Aaron Rodgers. Their offense possess a threat of all kinds, even without Jordan Nelson.

There is no way to truly stop Rodgers, you can only hope to slow him down. The off coverage and bend but don't break may not be the best approach in this game. This offense will methodically shred that approach the entire way down the field. The best approach would be to keep the offense off the field all together.

The Packers defense is a good unit but there's holes in the front seven. The Rams should find success running the football. This is great news when it comes to their chances of winning as it's the key component to keeping the Packers offense off the field. The running back screen will also be needed and should probably be leaned on at times throughout the game.

The Packers pass rush is a bit overrated however. The stats are bit inflated as they have faced three of top 4 worst lines in the NFL. However their secondary is underrated and Nick Foles will need to be extra decisive and accurate. They'll feast on mistakes, and again the key to victory is keep Rodgers off the field. That won't happen if your giving him the ball back.

Overall this game should be a good one. I do believe the Rams will hold Eddie Lacy to 70 yards or less rushing. However, I question if the defense is discipline enough to keep Rodgers in the pocket. His ability to keep the chains moving with his feet when you least expect is his greatest weapon. Todd Gurley will likely have a big day, but I can't say I am convinced that will be enough. A surprise performance from either Jared Cook or Kenny Britt would go a long way towards a victory.

In the end, Rodgers is just too much to handle, and too clutch in the fourth quarter, though I predict six sacks, an interceptions (ending his home streak) and a forced fumble by the defense.

Prediction: Packers win 33-27

EddieP [@iAmEddieP_]

THIS IS THE RAMS WE KNOW!!!

They're an inconsistent bunch and that trend will continue. Like the season opener, the Rams made the plays to win last week vs. Arizona. And just like week 2 and 3, the Rams will falter in Green Bay.

Prediction: Packers win 24-12

northwestRAMSfan [@troilus22]

I want to pick the Rams to win this game, and if I think about it long enough I could even talk myself into it. Aaron Rodgers is without his best wide receiver, and Eddie Lacy doesn't appear to be 100% yet. The Packers offensive line has also been a bit banged up early in the season.

The Rams just haven't shown the ability to put together long time consuming drives, the type of drives that keep Aaron Rodgers off the field. The Packers also aren't likely to give the ball away as much as the Cardinals did.

The Rams will need big games from ALL of their stars to win. Quinn, Donald, Gurley, Austin all need to be impact players to get another win on the road.

Seems like an awful lot to ask of a young team, and they have a knack for laying an egg following a big division game.

Prediction: Packers win 23-16

RamBuck [@lannyosu]

In their last 26 home games, the Packers are 21-4-1. In their last 26 road games, the Rams are 9-16-1. The Rams just traveled to the desert, and snatched a close victory against arguably the 2nd best NFC team. They were a 7 point underdog.

They will now travel to Green Bay, to play arguably the best NFC team as a 9.5 point underdog. Naturally, the Rams will win this because things make no sense sometimes.

Prediction: Rams win 31-28

taiko [@RamsHerd]

It would be fun to pretend that the Rams are capable of playing an entire game as well as they played the fourth quarter vs Arizona, that that was a true snapshot of this team’s offensive potential. If that were the case, then I’d look at Green Bay’s near-league-worst 4.8 yards per carry allowed on defense and feel pretty confident that Fisherball could punch these Packers in the mouth, and set up more of Detective Cignetti’s creative play-action passing.

It’s also tempting to look at the fits that a diminished 49ers defensive front gave Aaron Rodgers, sacking him six times and holding their offense to 17 points, and imagine our D going ape.

But this is Lambeau Field, and the Rams have no more control over their destiny here than Jake Gittes does in Chinatown.

Forget it, Jake.

Prediction: Packers win 34-17

Brandon Bate [@NoPlanB_]

I could probably write an entire article about how the Packers will throttle the Rams on Sunday, putting up nearly 40 points in the process. I could also just as easily write one about how the Rams could rely on their staunch defense to make this one a nail-biter until the waning moments. And a very, very small part of me thinks the Rams could pull out a HUGE win in Green Bay...assuming all the stars align.

Todd Gurley blew up last week. Frank Cignetti is finding ways to get Tavon Austin involved. The Rams’ defense can wreak havoc on any opponent it faces. And...well there I go talking myself into it again...

I’m just going to go with my gut. And my gut tells me that Aaron Rodgers’ excellence is a little too much for the Rams on Sunday.

Prediction: Packers win 31-23

3k [@3k_]

I got my foot on their neck and my foot on the gas
You remind me of a quarterback, that shit is all in the past

Prediction: Packers win 17-10