Three things to watch when the Packers go to Los Angeles to face the Rams | Professional Football

1. The eyes have it

With all the movement, pre-agitation and bad leadership – not to mention the intense action game – played by the Rams on the offensive, Packers defense coordinator Mike Pettine at length discussed his accusations to maintain a good "eye control". they read the right keys and do not be deceived by all the confusing things the Rams do to chase down their opponents. Game passes are perhaps the biggest challenge, as Rams quarterback Jared Goff has thrown a higher percentage of his assists into play than any other quarterback in the league.

"They do it a lot. They hide their intentions, "said Pettine. "The offensive, as far as their real game is concerned, is not so complicated. But when you add the formations, the changes and the movements, they dress everything. They do a great job doing some things that test your rules. If I drop the second receiver and it suddenly becomes the third receiver just before the slam, I have to think and everything goes quickly, this poses some problems.

"(As a defensive coordinator) you need to build relatively simple things. You can not be ultra-complicated in defense against them. The most important thing and this is what we have emphasized since the spring – and there is no better game to prove it than this – that it's not what we play, it's our way of playing. The schema is important, but in this case, you can not overly complicate the defense because of what they do. You just have to go and play.

Rams' coach Sean McVay played down the creativity of his program. "We did different things with the things that precede a little more movement, but in reality, it's about our players," he said. some of his ideas are borrowed from other teams, including the Packers.

"I'm certainly not afraid to admit if you see good games around this league – I'm not afraid to admit we'll copy them. That's what I did with what you do (the Packers), "McVay told reporters in Wisconsin. "There are a lot of very smart coaches and players in this league for whom it would be wise not to use some of their ideas when you have the opportunity to see all their movies every week."

2. 99 PROBLEMS AND DONALD IS (N ° 1)

Despite all the rumors about the Rams' explosive attack, there may be no defensive player in the NFL who changes the game at the current time as defensive tackle Aaron Donald, that the Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, has called it "one of the most dominant players in the league seen in a number of years."

"He has everything to please. He has speed, he has power, he has a high engine. That's the guy you saw in a movie, "said Corey Linsley, Center Packers.

Lane Taylor, left guard, added, "He's really athletic. He can bend the corner like no other defensive tackle can. He has a rare athleticism. This is one of those types of players that only happen in a generation. "

In last week's San Francisco win, Donald was a destructive teammate, scoring four sacks, nine tackles, six defeat tackles, five quarterback hits, a forced fumble and a breakaway. So it's no surprise that the Packers spent the week of training preparing every game for Donald, using defensive tackle James Looney as doubler, Donald's number 99 on the team. screening.

"Certainly, we will have a plan in place for him. He's a great football player, "said Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. "This week, we thought a lot about each pass that we put on the board, and we set, sketch and give to the players. We want to know where '99' is. We want to know how we are going to handle "99", who will be responsible and what kind of things. They also have other good defensive line players. These four guys that they have are really very good. "

3. GURLEY MAN

There's a reason why the Rams' game of play is so effective: they're probably the best NFL runner they're playing at.

Todd Gurley started the week in the NFL in rushing yards (686 yards, nearly 100 per game) and in touchdowns (11) – and the season is not even half finished. The Packers defense, meanwhile, is 22nd against the race (116.5 yards per game) and is allowing 4.5 yards per run, tied for 10th in the league. And Gurley's productivity makes everyone, including Goff, better.

"You have one of the best rear, if not the best, football. And it's a very good offensive line, and I think one of the best skill groups in the league, and the quarterback running it all took a huge step last year and still improved this year, "said Pettine. "They can help you in different ways. This is the hardest part, which is why they average what they do and give the defense so much trouble. "

In addition to what he did on the field, Gurley also captured 25 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns, which also makes him a threat to the passes.

"It's just a big explosive back. He's doing all that very well, "said Packers linebacker Clay Matthews. "They use it in the passing game, it has the speed to go outside and, of course, the vision between tackles. He is a good back. He's been like this since the first year. He's probably the best back in the game right now, and they play really well. "

Jason Wilde covers the Packers for ESPN Wisconsin. Listen to him with former offensive lineman Mark Tauscher of the Packers and Badgers, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 11 am on "Wilde & Tausch" at ESPN Madison 100.5 FM.