This one was set to be a premier matchup that impacted the NFC playoff picture. The defending Super Bowl champions against the squad that has claimed the top seed in the NFC two straight years.
Instead, when the Green Bay Packers meet the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, it will be two teams well below .500 with playoff hopes that are clinging to life.
It’s hard to imagine anyone predicting the Rams would be at a spot in Week 15 with a 4-9 record and Baker Mayfield as the starting quarterback but here we are.
On the flip side the Packers have largely been a disaster on both sides of the ball but the offense has gained some traction in recent weeks.
If either team wants any chance at making the playoffs winning out is a must.
Monday night at Lambeau Field won’t be the hyped up matchup most envisioned at the outset of the season but there is still the potential for some postseason implications that will be on the line.
Here’s this week’s predictions from around the web:
Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press: Packers 24, Rams 19. “Baker Mayfield has more time to grasp the Rams’ offense. The Packers (5-8) are desperate to stay alive in the playoff race.”
Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times: Packers 27, Rams 17. “It would be fun to see more Baker Mayfield magic, but that’s a tall order two weeks in a row. Green Bay’s defense should play pretty well, and the Packers control the game on the ground.”
NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal: Packers 23, Rams 16. “Baker Mayfield’s first Rams start was fun, but he still struggles to find the shorter, chain-moving routes that keep an offense on the field. Green Bay’s defense is soft enough — and Los Angeles’ defense is finding enough answers (Michael Hoecht! Bobby Wagner!) — to keep this game close into the fourth quarter. Once a prize of the Monday night schedule, this is now a chance to see if the Packers can keep their miniscule playoff hopes alive.”
The Miami Herald’s Greg Cote: Packers 21, Rams 7. “This is about as intriguing a Monday night matchup as you will get from two teams a combined 9-17 — two proud teams slogging through the ignominy of unexpectedly bad seasons. You’ve got Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay still dreaming of running the table and somehow sneaking into the playoffs. You’ve got the Rams, a beleaguered reigning Super Bowl champion, playing out the string with Baker Mayfield at QB. All with wintry Lambeau Field the backdrop. All Pack.”
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com: Packers 28, Rams 17. “Baker Mayfield was impressive in his Rams debut, but now he has to go on the road to play the Packers. He should know the offense better, which will help. But this is a game for Aaron Rodgers to keep his team alive in the playoff chase. Packers take it.“
John Breech of CBSSports.com: Packers 23, Rams 16.
Tyler Sullivan of CBSSports.com: Packers 27, Rams 17.
Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com: Packers 28, Rams 20.
Bill Bender of the Sporting News: Packers 26, Rams 21. “Baker Mayfield likely will get the start for the Rams. He threw four interceptions in his last visit to Lambeau Field. The Packers are coming off a bye week, and they have won the last four home meetings against the Rams. Aaron Rodgers keeps Green Bay’s fleeting playoff hopes alive. The Packers are 2-3 ATS as home this season.”
Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News: Packers 27, Rams 17. “The Rams got a huge spark from Baker Mayfield on a short week and he’ll go into Green Bay with plenty of confidence on a long week. But Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have had a bye to get healthier in key spots and there’s still some motivation to push for a late NFC wild-card berth. The Packers’ defense gets a few needed breaks here and Rodgers will pick apart the matchups away from Jalen Ramsey.”
Jim Derry of Nola.com: Packers 27, Rams 13.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Packers 24, Rams 17.
Ken Schott of The Daily Gazette: Packers 28, Rams 21.
Don Brennan of the Toronto Sun: Packers 25, Rams 20.
Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith and Mike Florio: MDS – Packers 28, Rams 13; Florio – Packers 28, Rams 27.
Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski: Packers.
ESPN’s Eric Moody and Seth Walder: Moody – Packers 26, Rams 20; Walder – Packers 23, Rams 16.
David Fucillo of Draft Kings: Packers (medium confidence).
Bleacher Report staff has an average score prediction of Packers 21, Rams 17.
Two of three over at For the Win are going with the Packers.
Ten of 11 SB Nation writers pick the Packers.
All four writers at Athlon Sports think the Packers will win.
All six writers at USA Today predict a Packers victory.
All five analysts at SI.com are picking the Packers.
All eight of the analysts at ESPN who made a pick at the time of this writing are picking the Packers.
Seven of eight analysts at CBSSports.com take the Packers.
