Packers: Three-step plan to defeating Rams in divisional round

2. Run the ball

Building from the last point, the Packers absolutely need to be able to run the ball against this Rams defense. Doing so successfully will work in their favor in many ways.

For starters, the Packers should expect to see plenty of light boxes from the Rams’ defense. It will invite the run. If Green Bay can’t get the ground game going and it leads to third-and-longs, it could be a long afternoon for the offense.

It won’t be easy. Los Angeles’ defense ranked third against the run in the regular season, allowing an average of just 91.3 yards per game.

However, Aaron Jones might be the best running back the Rams have faced all season. Not to mention, the Packers’ offensive line led the NFL in ESPN’s run block win rate metric. It should make for yet another interesting matchup between these two teams.

Running the ball well will force the Rams to commit extra players to stopping it, while also creating perfect opportunities for a staple of the Packers’ offense, the play-action pass. Generating big plays on the Rams’ defense has proven difficult all year, but a successful play-action could be the key to unlocking Marquez Valdes-Scantling downfield.

Green Bay will need balance offensively to overcome a tough matchup. Running the ball well will set everything else up perfectly.