The pesky Rams stuck around in this game down only 23-17 heading into the 4th quarter and that’s when the Packers ran away from them with two TDs.  Aaron Rodgers was only sacked two times in this game as the line gave him pretty decent protection.  He completed 13 of 23 passes for 269 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 INTs.  He also carried the ball 8 times for 38 yards (4.8 ypc) including a TD.  Ryan Grant was the busiest player on the offense for the Pack in this game as he carried the ball 26 times for 99 yards (3.8 ypc).  Fullback John Kuhn only touched the ball two times in this game (1 yard run, 10 yard reception) and they both went for TDs.  Greg Jennings didn’t get shut out this week like he did last week as he caught 2 passes for 103 yards (51.5 avg).  Donald Driver also had a solid game with 4 receptions for 95 yards (23.8 avg) with a TD grab.  The Packers finished up with 402 total yards on offense (152 rushing, 250 passing) in this game.

A.J. Hawk (10 tackles) and Charles Woodson (6 tackles, interception, pass defensed) led the way for the Packers on defense in this game.  They didn’t play well but good enough to win on this side of the ball.  The Rams finished up with 149 yards rushing, 187 passing) in this game.  The Packers are now 2-1 on the season.

The Packers are licking their wounds after getting beat at home 31-24 by the Bengals.  So they will likely be in a nasty frame of mind on Sunday.  The Packers would love to get a early lead in the passing game and then grind a win out on the ground with Ryan Grant.  That seems entirely possible as the Rams are allowing 258 yards passing per game this season.  The Packers need to protect Aaron Rodgers to give him a chance at a big day as he has been sacked 10 times already this season.  The bad news for the Rams is that pass rushing is one of their biggest weaknesses as they only have 1 sack this year.  If Rodgers has time to throw the ball he will likely shred the Rams’ D.  The Rams can’t stop the run either as they have allowed 146.0 yards rushing per game this season so this week could belong to Ryan Grant (107 yards rushing, 3.6 ypc).

The Rams have a couple things going for them on offense this week.  The Packers have allowed 118.5 yards rushing per game this season so Steven Jackson could have a huge game (171 yards rushing, 5.2 ypc).  The Rams need to stick with the running game as long as they don’t fall behind by more than 10 points.  That’s because Jackson is without a doubt the best player on this football team.  If Marc Bulger gets time to throw the football (a big if) then he could attempt to exploit the Packers’ deep down the middle of the field due to the injuries they have at safety.

PREDICTION: PACKERS 30, RAMS 13

The Packers are allowing 217.0 yards passing this season but you can’t blame that on Charles Woodson.  Woodson has made 12 tackles, 1 for a loss, he’s defensed 2 passes and he has picked off two passes (1 returned for a TD).  With Al Harris on the other side it forces teams to challenge each of the Packers’ corners who are both really solid cover men.  Look for Woodson to be in the Pro Bowl again this season for the Pack.

With Aaron Rodgers under durress quite often (he’s been sacked 10 times) the Packers need to look to throw shorter passes.  TEs Jermichael Finley and Donald Lee are both solid receivers so Rodgers will be looking for them.  Finley has caught 5 passes for 62 yards (12.4 avg) this seaon so far.  Lee has caught 7 passes for 36 yards (5.1 avg) this season.  The Packers have faith in these guys who would be both good enough to start for other teams.

The Packers will be without starting LT Chad Clifton until at least week #5 as he has a high ankle sprain.  Maybe that explains how DE Antwan Odom abused him last weekend.  Starting left guard Daryn Colledge will move out to tackle with Jason Spitz moving into the starting lineup at LG.  The Packers should be o.k. until Clifton gets completely healthy as he wasn’t going to help the team trying to play through his injury.