The Los Angeles Rams will host the Green Bay Packers in a Week 5 battle crucial to both teams. With Los Angeles at 1-3 and Green Bay hovering at 2-2, both franchises are coming off a loss and need a win to right the ship. Rams head coach Sean McVay is 0-4 vs Packers boss Matt LaFleur, so a win against a fellow Shanahan disciple will also go a long way. The battle between the Rams defensive backs and Packers receivers will be critical in determining the outcome.
Rams vs Packers Week 5 Receiver Scouting Report
The Stats and Personnel
One of the two more difficult matchups for the Rams on Sunday, the secondary must be at peak performance to hold back the opposition’s receivers. So far, the Rams rank 21st in passing yards allowed with 932 and have given up the third most passing touchdowns with eight. Los Angeles has also allowed the most rushing yards in the league with 662. That statistic will be crucial with one receiver in particular.
The Packers have a trio of game-breaking wide receivers on their roster: Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks. Luckily for LA, Packers wide receiver Christian Watson is out with a high-ankle sprain. Second-year receiver Bo Melton will likely fill in on four wide receiver situations.
Jayden Reed
Reed is the most dangerous and dynamic Packers receiver. He can play in every area on the field, including taking rushing snaps out of the backfield. Reed has 91 rushing yards in just six carries, including a 33-yard rushing touchdown in Week 1. The former Michigan State Spartan ranks second in wide receivers with 426 total yards. His biggest assets are speed and explosiveness, Reed ranks fourth in yards after the catch and is tied for first with seven plays of more than 20 yards.
He may also be head coach Matt LaFleur’s favorite receiver. After practice on September 30, LaFleur praised Reed for his energy on and off the field.
“I love the energy he brings. And it’s not just game day, it’s every day,” LaFleur said. “We’re lucky to have a guy like that. He’s a tone-setter. I love the way he competes and prepares for every battle.”
On the Rams side, expect lots of safety help from Quentin Lake and Kamren Curl to deal with Reed’s explosive plays. Without a star corner to go toe-to-toe with the second-year receiver, it will take a team effort to slow him down. Lake, the former UCLA Bruin, leads Los Angeles in tackles, resorting to him being the last line of defense for the Rams secondary. In rushing scenarios, linebackers finding him at the line of scrimmage can stop him from getting to that second level.
Romeo Doubs
Another receiver of concern is Romeo Doubs. The 6’2″ pass-catcher is dangerous in the red zone, particularly on fade routes into the end zone. To counter this red zone threat, the Rams may need to match Doubs with Kam Curl when applicable. Curl is the same height as Doubs and has a similar build, preventing Doubs from having the edge on pure physicality.
The 2022 second-round selection is also one of quarterback Jordan Love’s top targets. In 2023, Doubs was Green Bay’s most-targeted receiver, with 96 targets. As a testament to his red zone prowess, he tied Reed with a team-high eight receiving touchdowns last season.
However, the Los Angeles native has yet to score a touchdown this season. Playing in his hometown against a weaker secondary may see him have his breakout game if the Rams are not careful.
Dontayvion Wicks
Wicks is the wild card of this Packers receiving corps and has the most untapped potential. He came into the equation late last season, scoring against the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. In the final regular season game against the Chicago Bears, Wicks scored two touchdowns against his NFC North rivals. His best catch came against the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round. With Love under pressure on third down, Wicks beat cornerback Stephon Gilmore in man coverage and snagged the touchdown grab.
Another second-round receiver for the Packers, Wicks is a dynamic playmaker. He is particularly effective on longer routes and on play-action, where his route-running abilities shine through. He does have some issues with dropping the ball, which gave the Vikings some lucky breaks last week. The best counter against Wicks is to make him play through contact and not giving him space.
The Rams will have their hands full against this group of Packers wide receivers. Compounded with their tight end duo of Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave, as well as star running back Josh Jacobs, McVay’s squad will face one of their toughest battles of the season as he looks for his first win against LaFleur.
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