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

3. Make the Rams win with Jared Goff

While Jared Goff has been a full participant at practice all week, it was only seven days prior to this game that he wasn’t deemed healthy enough to start a playoff game.

An injury to John Wolford quickly forced Goff off the bench, but he didn’t look good against the Seahawks, completing nine of 19 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown. Goff completed under 50 percent of his passes.

He’ll likely be healthier this week, but Goff is still recovering from thumb surgery. Frozen conditions at Lambeau Field will only make it more challenging when it comes to gripping the football.

This hadn’t been a great year for Goff even before getting hurt. He finished the regular season with just 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

The Rams ranked 26th in the NFL for passing touchdowns and had no receivers hit the 1,000-yard mark.

They will look to find success on the ground and open up play-action. If the Packers can stop the run and force Goff to throw his team to victory, it will play perfectly into Green Bay’s hands.

Green Bay’s strength is its secondary, led by second-team All-Pro Jaire Alexander, along with Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos. Green Bay’s pass rush could also find success in obvious passing situations.

If Mike Pettine’s defense can take away the ground game and make the Rams have to win with Goff, it will be advantage Packers.