The place will we begin with storylines for Sunday’s sport between the Rams and Packers?
Inexperienced Bay (8-3) is coming off a loss to Minnesota and hasn’t misplaced consecutive video games since 2018. The Rams (7-3) are coming off two consecutive losses and their bye week. It’s a Lambeau Area rematch of final season’s NFC Divisional playoff sport, won by Green Bay 32-18.
However the massive story, in fact, is the pinky toe on the left foot of Packers lightning-rod quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who conducted a bizarre Zoom call interview with reporters this previous week that featured him elevating his foot as much as the digicam to show that he doesn’t have “COVID toe’’ — a situation one publication reported he might need after touchdown on the reserve/COVID-19 listing and quarantining for 10 days.
Rodgers’ show-and-tell session, which can’t be unseen as soon as witnessed, was meant to indicate reporters he has a damaged toe, not “COVID toe.’’
So, now that “Toegate’’ has been cleared up, Rodgers wants to fret about his offensive line, which will probably be with out Professional Bowlers David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins. With middle Josh Myers on injured reserve, that leaves three beginning offensive linemen out — to the delight of Rams ferocious go rushers Aaron Donald, Leonard Floyd and Von Miller.
One other cool storyline is Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, in his first season in L.A., returning to Lambeau Area for the primary time after enjoying there 10 video games with Detroit. Stafford is 3-7 at Inexperienced Bay in his profession.
Stafford, who has an general 7-13 document towards the Packers, is having a terrific 2021, having thrown 24 touchdowns and simply eight interceptions.
He known as Lambeau “one among my favourite locations to play” within the NFL.
Stafford performed at Lambeau for the primary time in 2011, passing for 520 yards with 5 TDs and two INTs in a 45-41 loss, saying, “I keep in mind 2011 prefer it was yesterday.”
“I like enjoying within the snow there,’’ Stafford mentioned. “That’s what you dream about as a child is attending to play the Packers at Lambeau Area within the snow. [I] don’t assume it’s going to snow this week, however it is going to be good and chilly, which is at all times enjoyable.”
Stafford — who’s thrown 4 INTs prior to now two video games, two of which had been returned for TDs — is attempting to regain the shape he had earlier than the two-game shedding streak.
“He’s conversant in the venue, he is aware of their personnel,” Rams coach Sean McVay mentioned. “He additionally realizes what a particular venue it’s, how troublesome it’s to go there and to compete to attempt to have the ability to get a win. However I do know he’s enthusiastic about that.”
Stafford will probably be much more excited if he will get extra contribution from Odell Beckham Jr., whom the Rams not too long ago signed as a free agent. Beckham played in the last game, a 31-10 loss to the 49ers, and quietly caught two passes. The Rams are coming off a bye week, so Beckham presumably is extra conversant in the system getting into this sport.
The Rams and Packers have performed one another 96 occasions (together with playoffs) with the collection tied at 47-47-2. McVay is 16-6 in video games after which his workforce misplaced. McVay is teaching towards Packers coach Matt LaFleur — McVay’s offensive coordinator in 2017, his first yr as a head coach.
Rams receiver Cooper Kupp, who leads the NFL with 85 receptions and yards with 1,141 yards, is 165 yards away from breaking the NFL document for many receiving yards by Week 12. Julio Jones had 1,305 yards in 11 video games in 2018. Kupp leads the league in receiving TDs with 10, tied with Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans.
Rams working again Darrell Henderson has scored six TDs (4 dashing, two receiving) in 5 highway video games this season. Since 2017, the Rams are 43-0 when main at halftime, finest within the NFL. The Packers are second finest at 28-1. The Rams have allowed the second-fewest passing TDs with 12.
