While I am not saying the Packers will win the game, I think they have a great shot. Like the Rams, Green Bay can generate offense, especially with the tandem of quarterback Brett Favre and running back Ahman Green.

Baxter's Bits

Including playoffs, the Packers have forced two or more turnovers in five straight games, totaling 15 takeaways in those five contests. Kurt Warner has thrown two or more touchdown passes in six straight games, throwing 18 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions in those six contests. The Rams have limited the opposition to 17 or fewer points in 11-of-16 games in '01, after limiting the opposition to 17 or fewer points in just 1-of-17 games (including playoffs) in '00. Russell Baxter is an NFL research coordinator for ESPN.

Green Bay has the ability to physically break down the Rams' defense, one built on speed and not big or physically sound in the middle. The running game is a big part of what the Packers' offense, and they can run on the Rams, creating big-play opportunities for Favre in the passing game.

Using Green, the Packers were able to break down the San Francisco defense. I expect the same result against the Rams. Green is a gifted runner and their leading receiver; they should have success using him with screens and check downs just to get the ball into his hands.

Regardless of how well the Rams' defense has played this season under Lovie Smith, they can not match up to the Packers. Because the Rams don't disguise their tendencies, fronts and coverages as well as Tampa Bay did when Smith was there, I think Packers offensive coordinator Tom Rossley will have a better feel for what the Rams are doing and capitalize with big plays.

Then there is the Rams' offense, the ultimate matchup nightmare for every team in the league. And Green Bay, in particular, will have a serious problem defending Marshall Faulk. I see no evidence, no way, no how for the Packers to match up with Faulk in any given situation.

Even when the Rams play their regular offensive personnel, it will be awfully hard for the Packers to find a safety or a linebacker who could even come close to handling Faulk. There is not even a combination of the two that could take care of him in the passing game. The only players who have a chance are the cornerbacks. But if the Packers committed a corner to cover a running back, that leaves them vulnerable against the Rams' receivers -- Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Az-Zahir Hakim and Ricky Proehl. In other words, the Packers can't do that either.

When the Rams go to their three-receiver sets, the headaches continue for Green Bay. The Packers' secondary and linebackers are neither skilled nor good enough to prevent a mismatch. They will be forced into a lot of zone coverage to minimize the Rams' big plays.

With Favre and Green on the Packers and Kurt Warner and Faulk on the Rams, none of the weekend's matchups has as much star power -- or offensive firepower. The game should be as high-scoring as advertised. But don't count out the Packers -- they have the ability to score with the Rams.

Here are the keys for both teams Sunday:

	Losing Their Balance
	The Rams have gotten to the last three postseasons with a balanced offense, but that balance seems to go out the window when the playoffs begin. Since their Super Bowl run in 1999, the Rams have averaged nearly nine fewer rushing attempts in the postseason than in the regular season, while their rushing average falls by nearly 90 yards. Conversely, St. Louis averages nearly seven more pass attempts and about 10 more yards per game in the postseason.
		Reg. season	Playoffs
	Rush att. PG	25.6	16.8
	Rush YPG	123.5	36.3
	Pass att. PG	34.8	40.3
	Pass YPG	339.7	347.3

Three keys for the Packers
1. Pressure Warner. The Packers will have to commit to pressuring Warner. As mismatched as they are, they have to control the one weapon that controls all the other weapons -- Warner. Green Bay must use a consistent variety of blitzes from every direction and disrupt his rhythm and slow the Rams down a bit. They can't just do it with one thing, and the defensive line can't be asked to win all day. The best pressure is the quickest -- directly up the middle. But that's not always the easiest place to come from. The Packers will use a multitude of people and places.

2. Run them down. The Packers must establish their offense from the ground up. That means pounding at the Rams with Green. Green, not Favre, is the foundation of the Green Bay offense. The Packers need to get physical and build the offense around Green in order to accomplish the final key.

3. Shots for Favre. The Packers need to have the mindset that they will score points on every drive. Establishing Green will help the Packers create field position and dictate matchups with formations and personnel groupings. That will also enable Favre to go to work downfield and make a difference in the passing game.

Three keys for the Rams
1. Free up Faulk. The Rams need to find ways early in the game to find the formation and personnel grouping that will allow for Faulk to have the best matchup, in both the running and the passing games. Once the Rams find the matchups they like, they will exploit them and get the ball to their best player where he can do the most damage.

2. Stay balanced. The Rams' offense is at its best when Warner isn't asked to air it out on every play. The Rams must run as much as they pass to manage the game. They need to focus on a balanced attack.

3. Ground Green. If the Rams can take away Green, they will make the Packers' offense one-dimensional. When Favre is forced to make every play, he tends to make mistakes. Eliminating the Packers' running game will be the Rams' primary defensive focus.