A Look Forward to Week 5 at LA Rams

As the Green Bay Packers prepare to travel west to face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 6th, at 3:25 PM CST, we’ll take a deep dive into what both teams and fans can expect from this conference matchup.

Both the Packers and Rams are coming off narrow losses, and head coaches Matt LaFleur and Sean McVay will be looking to extract the best from their teams to secure a win. Historically, the Packers have had the upper hand, winning their last four meetings against the Rams. However, with McVay’s reputation as one of the game's sharpest minds, past results may not be a reliable predictor. On the other side, LaFleur’s familiarity with McVay’s system, stemming from their past connections, could translate into a well-prepared defensive strategy.
As of the time of writing, the Packers are listed as 4-point favorites heading into Los Angeles.
Areas for Improvement
Interceptions:
Jordan Love’s performance against the Vikings was below par, marked by three interceptions. His mechanics, particularly his inability to transfer weight into his throws, seemed off. It raises the question of whether he was fully ready to return to the field. To avoid further turnovers, Love will need to focus on better footwork and decision-making.
Kicking Woes:
The Packers’ kicking game continues to be a concern. Brayden Narveson has struggled, missing two crucial field goals in the game against the Vikings. While the team has rallied behind him, his inconsistency—especially with his repeated misses to the right—remains a significant issue. Narveson has missed at least one field goal in every game this season, which places him among the league's least reliable kickers.
Defense:
Injuries severely impacted the Packers’ secondary, with both Jaire Alexander and Carrington Valentine sidelined. The first half saw the defense getting picked apart, a stark contrast to last season when backups stepped up admirably. While defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s aggressive approach aims to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, this strategy failed against Sam Darnold. However, the defense improved significantly in the second half, holding the Vikings to just three points. Moving forward, the defensive line and edge rushers, like Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark, will need to pressure Rams QB Matthew Stafford, forcing poor decisions and potential turnovers.
Gameplan Adjustments
The Packers seemed to abandon the run game prematurely in their matchup against the Vikings, which may have been due to Josh Jacobs’ limited involvement after the first two drives. This needs to be addressed. Additionally, LaFleur must remind Jordan Love that not every play needs to be a home run. Love took too many risks with deep throws, which led to turnovers, killing momentum and confidence. By focusing on a more balanced attack and taking what the defense gives, the Packers can regain their rhythm.
Predictions
Heading into SoFi Stadium, I expect Jordan Love to still be nursing his injury, playing with a knee brace, but with a more conservative approach. Given that the Bears managed to rack up 131 rushing yards against the Rams' defense, the Packers should lean on their run game, utilizing Josh Jacobs to take pressure off Love and reduce the number of hits he takes. When it’s time to pass, the key will be patience—calling short, high-percentage plays that keep drives alive. Last week, Love often overlooked open receivers near the first-down marker in favor of deep throws. In critical moments, the focus should be on moving the chains rather than forcing big plays.

​In summary, the Packers must remain committed to the run and give Jordan Love manageable passing opportunities until he’s fully comfortable in the pocket.