Packers Wire staff predictions: Week 5 vs. Rams

The Green Bay Packers will attempt to bounce back from last week’s home loss to the Minnesota Vikings when Matt LaFleur’s team heads to Los Angeles to play the 1-3 Rams on Sunday.

The Packers are 2-2 and coming off a week of unexpected adversity. Romeo Doubs was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team, and nine other players have playing status designations on the final injury report.

Can the Packers overcome distraction and get the job done on the road on Sunday at SoFi Stadium?

Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the Week 5 showdown with the Rams will go down:

Zach Kruse: Packers 30, Rams 20 (0-4)

My weekly predictions have been the equivalent of falling behind 28-0 in the first half. Like the Packers last week, I desperately need a layup to get back on track. Can the Rams provide something resembling a muffed punt inside the 10-yard line? In many ways, the Rams look like an ideal opponent — Sean McVay’s team is struggling to protect the passer, the team’s top two receivers are out, and the Rams rank 31st in scoring defense thanks to a struggling run defense and iffy secondary. Can the Packers take advantage? Love’s passing game looks ready to explode, even with a few question marks at receiver to end the week, and you can bet the pass-rush will want to bounce back after a slow start. Add in the environment at SoFi Stadium, which could be majority Packers fans, and Matt LaFleur’s team should get a win. The only caveat is the potential distraction of Romeo Doubs’ suspension. The Packers can’t let whatever is going on there to spill into Sunday’s performance overall.

Brandon Carwile: Packers 28, Rams 20 (2-2)

Coming soon!

Brennen Rupp: Packers 30, Rams 13 (3-1)

After a disappointing performance against the Vikings, this could be a get-right game for Green Bay’s pass rush. After recording eight sacks against the Tennessee Titans in week three, Green Bay’s pass rush lacked punch last week against the Vikings. The Rams are down key members of the offensive line and the Packers need to make life miserable for Matthew Stafford, who will be without Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. With the Rams somewhat limited offensively, I think Jordan Love and Green Bay’s aerial attack will be able to pick apart the secondary of the Rams. The Packers win in convincing fashion to improve to 3-2 overall.

Greg Williams: Packers 34, Rams 17 (2-2)

The Packers face off this week in what seems like a pivotal game for both teams. Green Bay has shown flashes of strong defensive play, forcing a league-leading 12 turnovers and the offense getting going with Jordan Love in the second half of their loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week. The key matchup to watch will be the Packers defensive front getting pass rush on the Rams. The Rams have given up the 13 sacks this season, which is tied for 8th, while the Packers have forced 13 sacks, which is also tied for 8th. The Rams will still be without Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, so the Packers secondary will have less to worry about in the passing game and more with Kyren Williams in the running game. On offense, if Packers can establish a more consistent running game, their balanced offense could control the pace of the game. The Rams’ defense, ranked near the bottom in several key metrics, will need a strong performance to hold off Green Bay’s attack. Given the Packers’ defensive playmaking and the Rams’ offensive inconsistency, the edge goes to Green Bay.

Writer	Prediction	Score	Record
Zach Kruse	Win	30-20	0-4
Brandon Carwile	Win	28-20	2-2
Brennen Rupp	Win	30-13	3-1
Greg Williams	Win	34-17	2-2