(6) Rams at (1) Packers
Saturday, 4:35 p.m. ET | FOX
Matchup rating: 82.8 | Spread: GB -6.5 (45.5)
What to watch for: The Packers were No. 1 in the NFL in scoring. The Rams were the No. 1-scoring defense. The Packers ranked first in both ESPN's pass block win rate and run block win rate. The Rams' defensive duo of Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd combined to create 90 pressures, the most of any pass-rushing pair. Throw in All-Pro Green Bay receiver Davante Adams against All-Pro L.A. cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and this is the ultimate battle of strength versus strength. -- Rob Demovsky
Bold prediction: From 75 and sunny to the frozen tundra, the Rams' defense isn't afraid of cold temperatures. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers may have thrown only 89 picks in 6,587 passes over his career, but the Rams' defense is on a takeaway roll. Watch for one of the Rams' cornerbacks to pick off Rodgers and return it for their sixth defensive touchdown of the season. -- Lindsey Thiry
Stat to know: The Packers' Rodgers and Adams connected on 76.7% of their attempts this season, the second-highest rate among the 60 QB-WR duos with 150 attempts in the past 20 seasons. But will Ramsey be up to the task on the other side of the line of scrimmage? Pro Bowl receivers have caught 37% of their passes when Ramsey was the nearest defender this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That's the lowest allowed by any defensive back. Ramsey also ranks in the top five in lowest completion percentage over expectation allowed (minus-9.3%), per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Bowen's matchup key: Rookie Rams running back Cam Akers looked like a veteran in the wild-card win over the Seahawks. Now look for coach Sean McVay to mix his personnel with one- and two-tight-end sets, using inside/outside zone and gap schemes, to open clean lanes for Akers. Read more.
Betting nugget: The over has hit in each of Green Bay's past five playoff games. But while the Rams' wild-card upset win went over the total, under tickets cashed in on 11 of Los Angeles' final 13 regular-season games. Read more.
Thiry's pick: Rams 23, Packers 20
Demovsky's pick: Packers 24, Rams 20
FPI prediction: GB, 65.1% (by an average of 5.1 points)
Matchup must-reads: Floyd latest first-round pass-rusher to be revived by Rams ... The good (cold) and bad (Donald) for Packers against Rams ... Donald on rib injury: 'Feel real good' ... Packers' Rodgers has just 89 interceptions in 6,587 passes -- and he hates every one of them ... Wolford ruled out, Goff to start