Inbox: You can never have enough Allen Lazards on your team

[Cheesehead]

Danny from Johnston, IA


I could not believe the stat I heard during the Rams-Seahawks game last week that since McVay has been the Rams head coach, they have not lost a game where they had the lead at halftime (37-0 in those games). That is a scary stat and makes me think we have to get out to a fast start in this game. I love being able to double-up, but does that change the thought process on kicking the ball away at the beginning of this game if given the choice?


Like the Packers, the Rams can shorten a game after they get up early. We're talking about the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in terms of time of possession this season. Green Bay must come out strong in the first quarter, put up points in the second and keep its foot on the throttle. As far as the coin toss, they've deferred all season. I don't see that changing now.


Ryan from Westfield, WI


Who do you think is going to better in the Rams game: Jaire Alexander or Jalen Ramsey?


Ramsey is one of the game's very best but I'll never bet against Alexander. Ever.


Jacob from Prairie du Chien, WI


Not that the accolades matter too much, but do you think Alexander will play with more of a chip on his shoulder than usual (hard to top) since Ramsey got that first-team nod instead of him? And is Ramsey more of a corner that stays on one side of the field or does he follow around the best receiver on the opposing team?


Outside perception doesn't matter to Alexander. He's his own man. Jaire believes he's the best corner in the game and that's the only ranking that matters. Ramsey can stick to a side but he did travel with DeAndre Hopkins, DK Metcalf and Mike Evans.


Don from St Paul, MN


When was the last time that the Packers had an All-Pro center?


The last time the Packers had an Associated Press first-team All-Pro was Jim Ringo in 1963. Several other centers have won other media entities' version of all-pro but Ringo was the only one to receive the whole enchilada.


Daniel from Los Angeles, CA


Was re-watching the Week 17 finale highlights. Allen Lazard seems like a great teammate. When Dominique Dafney spiked the ball after his first career TD, Lazard immediately followed it to catch it to give back to him. His demeanor reminds me of Jordy, and the world could always use more Jordys.


What doesn't get talked nearly enough about with any of the Packers' skill-position players – even Davante Adams to an extent – is you don't have anybody clamoring to get the ball. It's about the team and Lazard perfectly embodies that selfless mentality. Lazard has had some big statistical games in a Packers uniform but he's also been a good complementary player at times and a model teammate. You can never have enough Allen Lazards on your football team.


Brian from Sussex, WI


If both healthy, which Rams QB would you rather face?


I'm not really sure what you mean by "healthy," so that's a tough question to answer. Jared Goff has a 111.0 passer rating in two games against Green Bay, so you can't take him lightly. At the same time, in real life, I'm curious how his surgically repaired thumb responds to the cold.


Trevor from Arvada, CO


I think there's one player being overlooked. I listen to way too much sports talk, and everyone is talking about Davante and Ramsey, and Donald. But I feel our one X-factor could be Aaron Jones, in the pass and run game. He's been quiet for a few weeks and I feel he is also due. Agree?


Agreed. This game will be won on the ground…and it's going to be fun to watch with the Rams looking to contain Jones, Jamaal Williams and AJ Dillon, and the Packers aiming to bring Akers back down to earth. Jones is a home run just waiting to happen, though. They need his best game.


Ryan from Holmen, WI


The Rams playing more of a two-deep look, I have to assume that we will see more opportunities in the middle of the field. Like always, it seems our focus remains on the headlines of the "stars" of Ramsey vs. Davante, but don't sleep on Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Robert Tonyan and especially Aaron Jones. Jones will have free releases behind the line of scrimmage and we all know he can beat linebackers one-on-one in the passing game.


And that's why I believe Jones is going to be such a pivotal piece of the puzzle for the Packers on Saturday. If the Rams show Cover-2, Green Bay needs to be able to run against a lighter box. As good as the 2011-12 offenses were, the Packers often struggled to break the Cover-2. That's no longer an issue with how deep and diverse the backfield is. It's the perfect complement to the threats Rodgers presents.


Tim from Cameron, WI


It sure seems like it will be difficult to move the chains against the Rams' defense. Have to think a big play from MVS needs to be in the equation.


That would be good, too.