Unassailable top teams are rare in the current NFL season. Both the Los Angeles Rams and the Green Bay Packers at least have the potential to do so. Sunday’s clash between the two NFC heavyweights – a preview for January?

Munich – Meeting of the NFC heavyweights, Aaron Rodgers against Matthew Stafford and temperatures around the freezing point.

The duel between the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Yet both teams are experiencing a similar season so far.

Both the Packers and the Rams are among the top teams in the NFC, but they have also suffered some tough defeats in recent weeks. With a view to the playoffs, a win on Sunday would be one with an exclamation mark – but both teams have their work cut out for them.

Packers mourn narrow defeats

Top teams like the Green Bay Packers have few weaknesses. But when they do, it usually results in defeat. Aaron Rodgers and Co. have felt this twice in recent weeks.

Both the narrow defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs and the last-minute loss to the Minnesota Vikings could have been prevented. Rodgers and his offense fired out of all cylinders against the Vikings, and the defense allowed only 13 points against the Chiefs.

The fact that the Packers were the losers in the end had a lot to do with the poor performance of the special teams. While there were several fumbles after punt attempts against the Chiefs, kicker Mason Crosby continued his horror season. The veteran missed five field goals in the past five games and also missed a key attempt against the Vikings.

Earlier in the season, the 37-year-old missed two potential game-winners – and the criticism from fans is growing louder. “He’s still our kicker, he’s our man,” said head coach Matt LaFleur in view of the game. At the same time, however, he also demanded: “He knows he has to hit those field goals,” the coach said.

Ways to win: Do it again, Aaron

Because the Rams’ high-powered offense is hard to stop, the Packers should pick up where they left off against the Minnesota Vikings. They could find a plan to get their own offence going in the play-off duel between the two teams in January.

Back then, the Packers prevailed 32-18. Aaron Rodgers had a great day, and the offence racked up almost 500 scrimmage yards in total. The plan was to be as simple as it was difficult: Put the Rams under pressure right from the start with a power offensive.

Here, one means could be to be as unpredictable as possible on offense. “We’ve got the good stuff ready for them,” star receiver Davante Adams explained before the game. Certainly, LaFleur will try to get his best offensive weapon as far away as possible from star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who is tough to crack one-on-one.

At the same time, however, the Packers know that a different Rams front awaits them than in January. Back then, defensive monster Aaron Donald was badly banged up and new addition Von Miller could now also test Green Bay’s newly formed offensive line.

“They added him to the mix and a healthy Aaron Donald can pick apart any offensive line,” Rodgers also warned ahead of the game. Nevertheless, the playmaker is confident: “We’ve got a good plan in place,” said Rodgers. After all, the Rams, for their part, have to get their recently shaky offence going.

Rams in search of identity

“I don’t want to believe we’re the team we’ve presented ourselves as the last two weeks,” head coach Sean McVay said after the crushing loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the Monday Night Game before the bye week.

Indeed, the Rams recently did not present themselves like the unassailable top team they gave the impression of in the first weeks of the season. Especially in the offense the engine sputtered tremendously.

While quarterback Matthew Stafford and Co. put up an average of more than 29 points on the scoreboard on the first eight days of the season, it was only 26 in weeks nine and ten – on both days of the game combined. Even the playmaker himself does not seem as free as in the weeks before.

The quarterback, who was shipped from the Detroit Lions to the City of Angels before the season, is emblematic of the small slump. While he threw 22 touchdowns to just four interceptions in Stafford’s first eight weeks, he also threw four interceptions against the Titans and 49ers – in just two games.

Ways to Win: Full Throttle for OBJ and Co.

After the trades for Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr, the signs are all in for the Rams. Therefore, there is not much time for the newcomers to adjust. Against the Packers, OBJ in particular could become an X-factor.

“He’s doing very well. The best thing about him is that he’s very smart,” McVay also praised his new toy: “He’s more than ready and we expect to see a lot from him on Sunday,” the successful coach continued to give hope.

In addition to Beckham Jr. the Rams offense should also run in large part through star receiver Cooper Kupp, who is having a record-breaking season. After ten games, Kupp stands at 1141 receiving yards and ten touchdowns caught.

The Vikings receivers have already shown in the previous week that there is something to be gained against this Packers secondary: Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen combined for 16 receptions, 251 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The Rams pass receivers could be in for a busy day in a potential high-scoring game.

Fantasy Tip: A.J. Dillon

With starting running back Aaron Jones still missing with an injury, much of the work in the backfield should once again fall to A.J. Dillon. Last year’s second-round pick of the Packers came up trumps in the past two weeks as Jones’ replacement.

Against the Vikings and the Seahawks, the 23-year-old racked up 223 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. So in a game where both offenses could come up big, Dillon should be a reliable option at the running back position.