Struggling to win games with a banged up group of quarterbacks, the Los Angeles Rams snatched former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield after he was released by Carolina. Appearing in a Rams’ uniform just days after signing, Mayfield led the game-winning drive in a 17-16 win over Las Vegas ending the defending champs’ six-game slide. All that’s left for the Rams is to play spoiler and they can end any chance the Green Bay Packers have of reaching the postseason with a win in the Week 15 Monday Night Football matchup. T
The Week 15 Monday Night Football contest between the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers will take place at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI at 8:15 p.m. ET on December 19, 2022 and will be televised on ESPN.
Rams vs Green Bay Packers Odds
Los Angeles Rams +6.5 ( +245 )
Green Bay Packers -6.5 ( -300 )
Over/Under 39.5
Odds Analysis
The first thing that hit me about the odds for this game was the total of 39.5. The Rams have had a hard time throwing the ball and don’t run it very well either. As a result they are one of the worst in the NFL averaging only 16.8 points so a low total was expected. The early forecast for Monday night calls for temperatures in the teens, which is another reason why the total dipped a few points. Twice in the last five weeks the Rams played against a total below 40 cashing the OVER both times. And it’s not a surprise to see LA catching points either since they’ve been awful going 2-8 SU in their last 10 games. They are 3-0 ATS in their last three games, though, beating the Raiders outright as a 6-point dog.
Los Angeles Rams
With Matthew Stafford ailing and now done for the year and backup John Wolford getting hurt, the Rams were in dire need of a quarterback. Bryce Perkins might be a fine QB someday, but now is not the time. Perkins had success running the ball but otherwise was a non-factor in his appearances. As a result the Rams scooped up Mayfield upon his release and to show you just how desperate they are he took the field against the Raiders on the team’s second possession, just two days after signing with the club.
Stafford will return next season leaving Mayfield in a weird position. But after getting traded by the team that drafted him and released from a team nearly as bad as the Rams, Mayfield has plenty to prove; if not for his current club than another in need of a QB will be interested. Things didn’t go that well at the start of the Vegas game, which was to be expected. But Mayfield and the offense heated up in the fourth quarter scoring a pair of touchdowns to earn the victory. Mayfield was 22 of 35 for 230 yards, but he was money in the fourth completing 15 of 20 for 141 yards. With less than two minutes remaining and no timeouts, he drove the Rams 98 yards hitting Van Jefferson with a 23-yard strike for the game-winner. Playing with something to prove, Mayfield gives the team a different look with his mobility offsetting a line that’s allowed the most sacks.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers are as optimistic as Lloyd Christmas heading into the post-bye portion of their schedule. Their chances of reaching the postseason are slim, but there is a chance. The Pack lost two straight and seven of eight before beating the Bears, 28-19, in their most recent game. They have to win out and hope things go their way in order to get back in the tournament. And while the possibility still exists Aaron Rodgers will take the field. A lot has been said about the team’s failure to get their QB help at receiver and as a result both Rodgers and the Packers have suffered. They average just 220.2 passing yards and rank 23rd scoring 20.2 points per game.
They may have found the missing piece in Christian Watson, who still has an outside chance of winning Rookie of the Year honors. Inactive in three of the first seven games, Watson has been on a tear catching seven scoring passes over the last four games. He added a 46-yard TD run to seal the win over the Bears. And I think home field advantage will aid the Packers. They’ve won seven straight games at Lambeau Field during the month of December going 4-3 ATS.
Rams vs Packers Prediction
Playing in below freezing temperatures is something Rodgers is used to giving Green Bay an edge. But it’s probably not as drastic as you think. Most players can operate in the cold and as long as snow doesn’t fall I have to back the OVER with subpar defenses on the field. The Rams showed signs of life under Mayfield last week and imagine what he can do with a full 10 days to get prepped for this one.
Prediction: Los Angeles Rams +6.5 and OVER 39.5
