Packers Early Favorites Over Rams

NFL News - September 22nd, 2009 - Written by John

Packers at Rams -- Aaron Rodgers has been on some kind of a roller coaster since the start of the season. First he led the Packers to a memorable come-back win against the rival Bears in the season opener on Sunday Night Football. It seemed as he had finally arrived to winning status instead of just stat-stuffer. Then he flopped. Big time. His follow up performance included a Lambeau Leap by Chad Ochocinco, a false-start penalty on the final drive and a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals - the same team that mustered only seven points against the Broncos the week before. Okay, so put the 28 points scored by the Bengals on the defense. But the Packers only scored twice on offense and was aided by a pick-six by Charles Woodson.

Better believe there will be grumbling if there are troubles again this week when the Pack gets a gimmie in Week Three. They travel to St. Louis to play a team that ranks dead last in touchdowns and points per game, not to mention gave away a game to Washington after the Redskins dropped two touchdown passes and fumbled inside the red zone.

Both teams try to get back on track this week when they meet in St. Louis at 1 p.m. The Packers are predictably favored in this game. They are giving the Rams 6 1/2 points, according to BetUS with a payout of -110 both ways.

This may be a trap game, of sorts, in the way that the Packers will understandably have an eye on next week. After the Rams, they will be showcased on Monday Night Football when they travel to Minnesota for a key divisional game against Adrian Peterson and the Vikings. Oh, and the Vikings have one Green Bay's old quarterbacks on the team, I think.

Green Bay has scored 45 points so far this season, compared to only seven by the Rams. Rodgers hasn't thrown a pick yet and has 445 yards through the air. But he wasn't able to find lead receiver Greg Jennings at all last week after the pair connected for a game-winning 50-yard strike in the opener.

The Rams have had trouble putting anything together thus far. They were shut out by the Seahawks in the first game of the season and didn't get into the end zone until three minutes remained in the second quarter. Mistakes haven't been the problem, as they have been in the past. Mark Bulger has yet to throw an interception and the team is actually plus-two in turnover margin. Stephen Jackson is averaging over five yards a carry and ran for 104 on only 17 carries last week. It's just the offense hasn't sparkled yet. They are only converting on 33-percent of their third downs and have 27 first downs compared to 46 by their opponents.

The Rams haven't beaten Green Bay since 2003, when Bulger threw for 375 yards and Isaac Bruce had nine catches. Bruce went over the 10,000 receiving yard mark in that game, when his 129 led both teams.

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