Packers: Lombardi Ave staff predict Week 8 game vs. Rams

The Lombardi Ave staff have made their predictions for the Green Bay Packers’ Week 8 game against the Los Angeles Rams.

With an extra week to prepare and get healthy for this game, can the Green Bay Packers pull off the upset against the undefeated LA Rams?

This game kicks off a tough five-week stretch for Mike McCarthy’s team.

After defeating the 49ers before the bye, will the Packers make it two in a row? The Lombardi Ave staff have made their predictions.

Nick Olig: It’s leap of faith time, which is why I’m picking the Pack in an upset. Yes, the Packers defense gave up 30 points to a 49ers offense that got stymied by the Rams a week later, and double-yes, LA is undefeated, and RB Todd Gurley and DT Aaron Donald are stellar.

However, the bye week offered ample time to get revived and prepared, Aaron Rodgers will have a colossal chip on his shoulder, and Jared Goff, while good, has been a bit prone to throwing picks. Sustaining well-balanced, long drives will be key in a 28-26 victory. Green Bay 28, Los Angeles 26

Jesse Fry: The Packers have traditionally faired well coming off the bye week. They are 9-3 under Mike McCarthy in the first game after the bye. But a stouter challenge awaits this team. The Rams are the only undefeated team left at 7-0.

For the Packers to win this game, they will have to be flawless on offense and hope for a couple turnovers on defense. Relying on a seldom used run game to keep the Rams high-octane offense off the field should be the theme of the day.

The Packers can’t keep up the standard set this year of settling for field goals in the red zone. I feel the Packers are overmatched by the Rams and it’ll show. I expect McCarthy’s squad to give a great effort and good game coming out of the bye, but the Rams are the better team. Los Angeles 34, Green Bay 17

John Dales: The Packers come into this game with the entire football world counting them out before this game even kicks off. However, I still think that there is reason to believe that the Packers can win on Sunday.

For one reason, their defensive backfield may be healthy. Bashaud Breeland and Jaire Alexander missed the 49ers game with injuries, and if they are playing this defense is much stronger than the one that gave up 30 points to 49ers.

Also, Geronimo Allison and Randall Cobb should be back, which will help the offense. I think the Pack make this one a lot closer than most people thought they would, but the undefeated Rams win on a last-second field goal. Los Angeles 38, Green Bay 35

Kyle Lohmiller: It’s hard to bet against the Packers, but it’s more difficult to bet against the Rams right now. Despite being extremely young, Mike Pettine’s pass defense is ranked fourth in the NFL for yards given up.

They’re also ranked fourth in total offensive yards per game, while the Rams are ranked third — so expect a shootout. The Packers will have to find a way to try and stop Todd Gurley if they want a puncher’s chance at winning. Although I firmly believe that the Packers can win this game, I’m still taking the Rams. Los Angeles 33, Green Bay 27 

Freddie Boston: I tend to agree with many of the predictions above. As the Packers are coming off their bye, I expect a solid performance on offense to at least keep them in the game.

I could also see this being one of those games the Packers keep close even when they’re expected to lose comfortably, just like the game at Pittsburgh last season with Brett Hundley in at quarterback.

But even if Green Bay stays in this game until the fourth quarter, the Rams are my pick to win. Los Angeles 38, Green Bay 28