Where: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
Spread: Packers by 5
Records: Rams (Overall: 3-3, NFC West: 2-0); Packers (Overall: 3-3, NFC North 1-0)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Oct. 16, 2011: Packers 24, Rams 3. Sept. 27, 2009: Packers 36, Rams 17. Series record: Rams lead 45-43-2.
What matters: The Rams look to go 4-0 at home behind a defense that ranks fifth in points allowed (18.5) and seventh in total yards (311.5). St. Louis allowed 16 points in its last two home games. Aaron Rodgers enters off a six-touchdown performance, but the Rams have held opposing QBs to a 72.8 passer-rating, fifth-best in the NFL.
Who matters: The offensive line, which could be without starting left tackle Wayne Hunter, faces Dom Capers' blitzing defense; 10 Packers have at least one-half sack. RB Steven Jackson, and to a lesser extent rookie Daryl Richardson, will be critical to neutralizing that rush. The Rams’ all-time leading rusher has looked better the last two weeks, gaining 128 yards on 30 carries. However, Jackson still hasn’t scored this season. Green Bay ranks 17th against the run (110.2 yards per game).
Key matchups: WR Greg Jennings (groin) probably won’t play, but Green Bay still brings a deep receiving corps featuring Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and James Jones, who has scored two TDs in each of the last three weeks. The Rams counter with an elite secondary led by Cortland Finnegan (3 INTs). CBs Bradley Fletcher and Janoris Jenkins also are playing at a high level. St. Louis is tied for fifth with eight interceptions.
Injuries of note: Hunter (back) missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, and it’s unclear who would start in his place. Waiver pickup Joe Barksdale is one option. Quinn Ojinnaka could move from left guard to left tackle, with Shelley Smith starting at left guard.
LB Mario Haggan (thigh), a key special-teamer and reserve, also missed practice Wednesday and Thursday.
Inside stuff: In the first two games since DT Michael Brockers returned from a high-ankle sprain, the Rams have allowed 64 rushing yards on 36 carries. … QB Sam Bradford has been pressured on 37.4 percent of his dropbacks, the fifth-highest rate in the NFL.
Connections: Rams' C Scott Wells, on temporary injured reserve, played for Green Bay for eight years before signing with St. Louis in the offseason. … Packers DT Ryan Pickett was a 2001 first-round pick of the Rams and played his first five seasons in St. Louis. … Rams secondary coach Chuck Cecil played safety for the Packers from 1988-92. … Rams WRs coach Ray Sherman held the same position with the Packers from 2000-04.
Stats you should know: The Rams have scored touchdowns on 35.7 percent of their red-zone trips, which ranks 29th. … Rookie WR Chris Givens has a reception of at least 50 yards in three straight games, and has helped compensate for Danny Amendola’s absence. … Richardson averages 5.2 yards per carry. … DE Robert Quinn is tied for fifth in the league with six sacks.
Looking ahead: The Rams travel to London to play New England next week, then get a week off before visiting San Francisco. If the Rams go 1-2 during this brutal stretch, they have a legitimate shot at finishing .500.
Prediction: Packers 27, Rams 20
Get more Rams updates and analysis from Larry Hartstein @CBSRams.
