Lombardi Ave
FanSided

Green Bay Packers 2018 opponent preview: Los Angeles Rams

By Freddie Boston

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 06: Running back Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball after taking a hand off during the first quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 06: Running back Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball after taking a hand off during the first quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

A closer look at the Green Bay Packers’ Week 8 opponents, the Los Angeles Rams.

If one team has “won” the offseason, it’s the Los Angeles Rams. A playoff team last year, the Rams have loaded up on talent this spring as they look to make a strong push for the Super Bowl.

The Packers and Rams haven’t played each other since the Rams moved back to LA from St. Louis.

After a strong 2017 season, the Rams are looking to take the next step towards the Super Bowl. What can the Packers expect from them when they meet later this year?

Last season

An excellent 11-5 record saw the Rams win the NFC West for the first time in 14 years. They secured the NFC’s third seed, but lost their wild-card matchup to the Atlanta Falcons.

When is the game?

The Packers visit the Rams in Week 8. The game begins at 3:25 p.m. CT at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Green Bay will be returning from its Week 7 bye.

Offseason additions

Where do we start?

Despite losing cornerback Trumaine Johnson and wide receiver Sammy Watkins in free agency, the Rams are a better football team now than they were in December. Potentially a lot better.

The Rams’ approach to the offseason? Sign star players. And lots of them. Los Angeles traded for All-Pro cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters, as well as wide receiver Brandin Cooks. They also signed five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and former Packer Sam Shields.

Yeah, the Rams are all-in for 2018.

Last meeting with Packers

Oct. 11, 2015: Packers won 24-10 at Lambeau Field

Player to watch

Todd Gurley: Look no further than the first-team All-Pro from 2017.

Gurley’s dominance last year was one of the biggest reasons why the Rams made it so far. He rushed for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns, while also adding another 788 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

If the Packers are going to have any chance of winning this game, they will need to have a plan to stop Gurley.

Next: Top 30 moments in Green Bay Packers history

I wouldn’t like to be Mike Pettine ahead of this game.

Home/Green Bay Packers News