The Green Bay Packers got a bye for the first round of the 2021 playoffs and will play their first game of the postseason against the Los Angeles Rams at Lambeau Field on Saturday at 4:35 p.m. ET. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams will match up against an elite defense that’s let by Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald.
Green Bay is in good health but Los Angeles is dealing with several injuries to key players. Jared Goff is still not 100 percent after undergoing surgery on the thumb of his throwing hand, John Wolford is recovering from a neck injury he suffered in the first round, and Donald is dealing with a rib cartilage injury. Can the Rams overcome the odds to win on the road?
TV Info
Date: Saturday, January 16
Time: 4:35 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)
Rams: #9 Overall — #10 offense, #4 defense, #30 special teams
Packers: #3 Overall — #1 offense, #17 defense, #25 special teams
DraftKings Sportsbook odds
Rams: +6.5, +270
Packers: -6.5, -315
Total: 45.5
Fantasy football start/sit advice
Rams
Cam Akers, Running Back, $5,700
Akers ran for 131 yards and a score on 28 carries against a solid Seahawks run defense in the first round of the playoffs and the Packers aren't nearly as good at stopping the run. Goff’s struggles throwing the ball will likely lead to a run-focused attack and it appears like Malcolm Brown will be used sparingly even while Darrell Henderson is on the IR.
Robert Woods, Wide Receiver, $5,900
Woods was Los Angeles’s top pass-catcher in the first round and could take the lead again while Cooper Kupp is hobbled by a knee injury. Tyler Higbee was far from involved when the Rams elected to take shots down the field. Woods and Kupp amassed 68 percent of the targets in the first round. The Rams also like to get Woods involved on screen passes and end around, so there’s I think his floor is a little higher than Kupp’s.
Packers
Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback, $6,900
Rodgers is up against the best pass defense in the NFL but the Rams’ defensive line might not be at 100 percent with Aaron Donald recovering from a rib cartilage injury. Donald will play but if he can’t generate his usual pressure Rodgers will have a field day picking out Davante Adams just like he has all year.
Davante Adams, Wide Receiver, $8,600
Adams is up against one of the best cornerbacks in the league but has proven to be viable more often than not all year. His connection with Rodgers has carried Green Bay all season and I don’t see that ending now in the Packers’ biggest game of the year. He’s tallied double-digits in DKFP in every game but one this season.