The Green Bay Packers will be back at Lambeau Field on Sunday when they host the Los Angeles Rams.
In a season that was supposed to be about progress, the team has regressed while losing four consecutive games. Perhaps last Sunday was rock bottom as the Packers scored 10 points against the Vikings.
That marked Green Bay’s third consecutive game it which it was unable to top 20 points. Its last 20-point output came on Sept. 28 against Detroit, where it trailed 27-3 and was given the benefit of some garbage-time production.
With a gauntlet of pass rushers and better teams on the schedule, the Packers need to get things turned around and fast.
In the past, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford’s status being in doubt could have chalked up Sunday’s game as an automatic win for the Packers. Those days are gone. The Packers recently scored 13 points and lost to the Raiders, who fired their coach and general manager on Tuesday and benched their quarterback this week.
This team is unable to take anyone lightly.
If they’re going to snap their losing streak, here are three of the matchups they have to win.
Interior Offensive Line vs. Aaron Donald
The offensive line against opposing pass rushers is likely to be a theme in this thread for the next several weeks.
After a slower start to the season, the Packers are about to face a gauntlet of elite sackmasters. None are more accomplished than Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year is still playing at a high level. Among interior defenders, he is second in pressures and third in pass-rush win rate, according to Pro Football Focus.
“He definitely causes a lot of pause on a lot of things you may want to try to do because he’s such a game-wrecker,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said.
Donald, with his 35 pressures, will be facing a group that has struggled to find its footing all season.
Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers and Jon Runyan Jr. have allowed 25 pressures between them. Of 34 centers with 165 pass-protecting snaps, Myers ranks 11th in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries per pass-rushing snap. Of 63 guards, Jenkins ranks sixth and Myers ranks 11th.
It’s unlikely the Packers can decisively win this matchup, but they need to slow Donald down.
Jordan Love and the rest of the offense are struggling enough. He will find it nearly impossible to move the ball if there is immediate pressure in his face.
That’s what Donald can provide.
“Aaron Donald is a dynamic player,” Love said.. “Someone that going into this week we’ve got to have a plan for. He’s a game-changer for the defense. He makes plays all the time. He’s somebody we’ve got to be aware of.”
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