3 important storylines to watch for Packers vs. Rams in Week 5

The Green Bay Packers head to Los Angeles this weekend to play their first-ever game at SoFi Stadium, and they will be looking to put last week's disappointing divisional loss behind them.

On paper, this should be a straightforward victory against a 1-3 Los Angeles Rams team ravaged by injuries, but the NFL is rarely that simple.

Can the Packers contain a promising young Rams front and win with their own depleted receiving corps? Here are three things you should keep an eye on this weekend.

The Jared Verse vs. Rasheed Walker battle

Despite being a rookie, Verse has wasted no time making his impact felt on the NFL level. The Rams' edge rusher has already tallied 17 pressures through four games. That comfortably leads all rookies and ranks 12th among all NFL edges so far this season. His 28.8% pass-rush win rate ranks second behind only Aidan Hutchinson.

Verse spends the majority of his time lined up over the left tackle, meaning he's likely going to spend a lot of his time going against Walker. While Walker has had some issues in the running game this year, he has shown some growth as a pass protector. Through four games he has conceded a single sack and no quarterback hits.

The outcome of this matchup could significantly influence the Packers' offensive rhythm. While Verse isn't the Rams' sole pass-rushing threat, his ability to create disruption on Jordan Love's blindside could force the Packers' passing game into some uncomfortable situations.

Can Xavier McKinney make NFL history?

Through four games, the Xavier McKinney signing looks to be one of the best bits of free agency business in recent Packers history. He has been a huge part of the team's defensive success this season, not least because of his ball-hawking talent.

Last weekend McKinney recorded his fourth interception of the season. That's enough to already put him in Packers record books, becoming the first player in franchise history to have an interception in each of his first four games.

When you add in his final game with the New York Giants, McKinney has now recorded an interception in each of his last five games. If he can get another this weekend against the Rams, he will tie the NFL record for consecutive games with an interception. Per PFF, Matthew Stafford has already had six turnover-worthy plays in four games, so it feels like McKinney has a legitimate chance.

Can Dontayvion Wicks step up?

Entering Week 5 it looks like the Packers will be without both Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. Luke Musgrave is also listed as questionable. With a depleted receiving corps, the Packers will need their remaining players to step up, and none more so than Wicks.

Wicks entered 2024 with a lot of hype, with some even predicting that he could be the team's leading receiver this season. While he's been an effective red-zone weapon (he has three touchdowns already), that sort of volume hasn't materialized. Wicks has just eight catches for 104 yards so far and has two games where he didn't manage a single catch.

The Rams' cornerback duo of Tre'Davious White and Cobie Durant have struggled so far this season. White has been particularly poor, allowing an NFL-high four touchdowns and a 147.8 passer rating when targeted. However, Los Angeles will get Darious Williams back for this game.

If the Packers are going to come away victorious, they will need the likes of Wicks to step up and take the sword to this Rams defense. Can he do it?

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