Full preview for Packers vs. Rams in NFC Divisional Round

The top-seeded Green Bay Packers (13-3) will host the sixth-seeded Los Angeles Rams (10-6) at Lambeau Field for Saturday’s NFC Divisional Round playoff game. The winner will advance to play either the New Orleans Saints or Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game.

Here’s a full preview for Saturday’s postseason showdown at Lambeau Field:

How they got here

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

The Packers started 4-0 and then won six straight games to end the regular season, helping create a 13-3 finish for the second straight season. Matt LaFleur's team won the NFC North title and clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the first time since 2011. As the top seed, the Packers received a first-round bye and the opportunity to play the lowest remaining seed in the divisional round. The Rams survived a mostly inconsistent season to finish in second place in the NFC West at 10-6 and earn the sixth seed in the NFC. A win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17 clinched a playoff spot. In the wild card round, the Rams went to Seattle and upset the division champion Seahawks 30-20.

The storylines everyone knows

Davante vs. Jalen: First-team All-Pro wide receiver vs. first-team All-Pro cornerback. It's not Jerry Rice vs. Deion Sanders, but it's as close as you can get in 2020. Friendly fire: Packers coach Matt LaFleur worked with Rams coach Sean McVay in Washington and Los Angeles. In 2017, LaFleur was McVay's offensive coordinator. The two friends have never faced one another as head coaches. No. 1 vs. No. 1: The Packers offense, which scored an NFL-high 509 points, takes on the Rams defense, which gave up an NFL-low 296 points. By almost any relevant statistical measure, this matchup is the NFL's best offense against the NFL's best defense. Aaron vs. Aaron: The two-time Defensive Player of the Year is dealing with a rib injury, but Aaron Donald will play through the issue Saturday. The single most disruptive player in football will face the presumptive MVP in Aaron Rodgers, who produced 51 total touchdowns in 2020.

Going behind enemy lines

Managing editors Zach Kruse (Packers Wire) and Cameron DaSilva (Rams Wire) answer questions about their teams ahead of the NFC Divisional Round showdown. – Packers Wire goes behind enemy lines with Rams Wire – Rams Wire goes behind enemy lines with Packers Wire

Full injury report

Packers

Doubtful: DL Kinglsey Keke Notables on IR: LT David Bakhtiari, S Raven Greene, OL Lane Taylor, RB/KR Tyler Ervin, DL Montravius Adams

Rams

Questionable: WR Cooper Kupp, OL David Edwards Out: QB John Wolford, OLB Terrell Lewis Notables on IR: RB Darrell Henderson, S Taylor Rapp

Packers win if...

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The Packers win if...they play their game, and use their built-in advantages. Matt LaFleur's team crafted a dominant regular season on the back of a highly efficient passing game (see: Aaron Rodgers), dominance in situational football (see: third down, red zone) and a big edge in the turnover department (see: NFL-low 11 turnovers). If the Packers do what they do well and avoid big mistakes, while taking advantage of a big edge at quarterback and playing in the cold at Lambeau Field, the No. 1 seed should advance to the NFC title game.

Rams win if...

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The Rams win if...Jared Goff avoids mistakes, Cam Akers has a productive afternoon, and the defense dominates, both in terms of controlling the flow of the game and providing a few easy scoring opportunities with takeaways. Goff is playing with a bum thumb, but he must be efficient and avoid giveaways. Akers is averaging over 100 total yards over his last six games, and he was a dominant force in Seattle last week. The Rams may look to the rookie running back to power the offense. On defense, Brandon Staley's group forced 25 takeaways and has proven capable of scoring defensive touchdowns. Can Sean McVay's team put all the ingredients of an upset together and shock the Packers in Green Bay?

Packers players to know

(AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Most important: QB Aaron Rodgers. The likely MVP was consistently dominant during the 2020 season. He will be in the spotlight against the No. 1 defense in football. Offensive X-factor: RB Aaron Jones. Expect the Packers to get him involved as both a runner and receiver. The versatile and dynamic running back could be the key that unlocks the Rams defense. Defensive X-factor: DL Kenny Clark. He can be a highly disruptive interior player. He'll factor heavily into stopping the run, and winning battles against Rams center Austin Blythe and collapsing the pocket in Goff's face could provide game-changing moments. All-Pros: QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Davante Adams, LT David Bakhtiari, C Corey Linsley, OLB Za'Darius Smith, CB Jaire Alexander Pro Bowlers: QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Aaron Jones, WR Davante Adams, LT David Bakhtiari, G Elgton Jenkins, OLB Za'Darius Smith, CB Jaire Alexander

Rams players to know

AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Most important: DL Aaron Donald. No player in the NFL can change a game on the defensive side quite like Donald. If he's dominant as a pass-rusher, the Rams will have a real chance at the upset. Offensive X-factor: WR Robert Woods. He caught 90 passes and can win both on the perimeter and in the slot. He needs to be a reliable weapon for Goff and an explosive playmaker for the Rams offense, which is struggling to score points. Defensive X-factor: CB Troy Hill. The Rams slot cornerback intercepted three passes and returned two for touchdowns. He may see a bunch of Davante Adams if the Packers decide to move their top receiver into the slot. All-Pros: DL Aaron Donald, CB Jalen Ramsey Pro Bowlers: DL Aaron Donald, CB Jalen Ramsey

QB comparison

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A side-by-side look at the two starting quarterbacks:

Team ranks

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Statistical ranks for the two teams, per Pro Football Reference:

Full game information

What: Green Bay Packers (13-3) vs. Los Angeles Rams (11-6) When: Saturday, Jan. 16 at 3:35 p.m. CT Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis. Referee: Ron TorbertTV Channel: FOX Radio:Packers Radio Network, Sirius Satellite Radio (XM 225, Streaming 811 WTMJ feed), Westwood One Sports, WTMJ.com via desktop computer Live Streams: fuboTV (try it free), Packers mobile app and on packers.comTelevised Areas: Nationally