In one of the quirkiest, yet most enjoyable storylines from the week leading up to the National Football Leagueâs blockbuster slate of divisional round games, Aaron Rodgers spoke of his delight at the fact he will soon become a stand-in host on Jeopardy. Thatâs right, Rodgers – soon to be known as âWho Is Aaron Rodgers?â- will indeed temporarily fill the illustrious shoes of the dearly departed Alex Trebek and quiz an assortment of contestants once the Green Bay Packersâ season is over Like Jeopardyâs timeless brainteasers, the solution to how soon that outcome will come to pass is also best posed in the form of a question. Ask the right ones, and youâre on the road to riches. As the Packers prepare to begin their postseason campaign against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday (4:35 p.m. ET on FOX), all kinds of queries are being posed, and all of them have some kind of merit.   Unpredictable, but not overly cold, settling at around 30 degrees. What is ⌠the game day weather forecast? Up-and-down this season, and recently named the starter in this contest despite having surgery on his right thumb after a Week 16 loss. What is ⌠Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff? Correct and correct, yet you donât have to be Ken Jennings to know that the most pertinent factor on Saturday isnât likely to be the wind chill or the former No. 1 pick who has thrown at least one interception in 10 of his 16 starts this year. The biggest deal in this game is the one where the stars collide and figures to decide the whole thing. On one side, Rodgers and his power-punching Packers offense. On the other, the no-nonsense machine of the Rams defense, who will try to invade his space with malevolent intent.   âI really like the Rams defense,â former Packers Super Bowl-winning wide receiver Greg Jennings said. âI like what they do (with) interior pressure with Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd on the outside getting pressure on the edge, someone that can contain and keep Aaron Rodgers in the pocket. âAaron Rodgers and this offense, I love him â but I like this defense is a little bit better. When you have a bye, I feel like it disrupts your rhythm and what youâve been doing so well. This Rams defense is on a roll.â On the past four occasions Rodgers has squared off against a team ranked No.1 in total defense, he has lost all four. The Rams’ defense ranks first in points allowed, total yards and passing yards. Los Angelesâ defense was quick to give Rodgers credit during media sessions this week, yet are determined to disrupt his flow as much as possible. With prolific tackle David Bakhtiari out, protecting Rodgers effectively will be a point of concern for Green Bay. âThe biggest challenge is not being afraid,â Rams defensive lineman Michael Brockers said. âHis mystique and the magical ability he has when he makes off-schedule throws, it is really just about getting after it, making it a tough physical football game – just getting after him.â   It seems probable Donald will start despite suffering a rib injury in the Ramsâ victory over the Seattle Seahawks last week, while Jalen Ramseyâs ability to shut down elite receivers is another major X-factor for L.A. Donât expect Rodgers to throw much in Ramseyâs direction, and donât be surprised if Davante Adams lines up in the slot with far more frequency than normal. Yet despite the Ramsâ defensive force, they are up against a monster on the other side of the ball. The Packers lit a fire under Rodgers by drafting his long-term replacement Jordan Love and he responded by throwing 48 touchdowns against only five interceptions, en route to becoming an overwhelming favorite to win the MVP award. âI’ve really tried to savor every moment this year and enjoy the heck out of everything,â Rodgers told NFL.com. âI know that my time in the league is way closer to the end than the beginning, and I just want to really savor all the things that make our game what it is, and the experience what it is.â Green Bay is a 6.5-point favorite, per FOX Bet, a sentiment shared by FS1âs Nick Wright on First Things First.   âThe Packers are going to win,â Wright said. âJohn Wolford or Jared Goff are not going to go to Lambeau Field and win against Aaron Rodgers.â Rodgers, Donald, the weather, the Packersâ bye, the history, the QB saga in L.A. â it all adds up to an opinion-splitting matchup and a tremendous contrast between the power of unstoppable offense and unbreakable defense. The best pure football battle of the weekend. What is ⌠Rams at Packers?   Hereâs what others have said … Brandon Marshall, First Things First: âAaron Donald is the baddest man in the NFL. He can be the greatest defensive player this game has ever seen. If he keeps this up for another 6-to-10 years, it is a wrap. This is the baddest boy that we have seen in a very long time.â Shannon Sharpe, Undisputed: âIâm not worried about the Packers offense because Aaron Rodgers is going to be able to make some plays. The question is can they get a couple turnovers? It comes and goes. I believe the reason why Vegas has the line at seven is because they have respect for the Rams defense and they donât believe Aaron Rodgers will have the level of success heâs had the last month against this defense.â Gregg Rosenthal, NFL Network: âYouâve got to score points in the playoffs and I just donât trust this Rams offense with Jared Goff right now. Itâs a timing and rhythm offense that has no timing or rhythm, and I really didnât see any more with Goff coming off injury last week.â |
 âNo one ever drowned in sweat.â â Lou Holtz |
