How the Packers defence plans to stop the Rams offence
Green Bay’s trip to SoFi Stadium on Wednesday 25 November could bring back the player their defence is built around. Anyone studying the NFL odds for the Week 12 game should start with Micah Parsons, who is targeting a return against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Packers are 5-3 and fourth in the NFC North, while the Rams are 4-4 and third in the NFC West. It will be only the second time in franchise history that Green Bay has played on a Wednesday.
Parsons is the centrepiece
Parsons tore his ACL against the Denver Broncos in Week 15 of the 2025 season, having recorded 12.5 sacks in 14 games after his trade from the Dallas Cowboys. He had surgery on 29 December.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on 1 November that the Packers are aiming for a Week 12 return. Assuming no setbacks, Parsons will take part in individual drills this week and team drills next week. Green Bay’s Week 11 bye gives him extra time before the short turnaround to a Thanksgiving Eve kick-off.
His return addresses a clear weakness. The Ringer noted that Green Bay ranked ninth in pressure rate in 2025 but only 20th in sacks. The Packers also traded Rashan Gary to Dallas and lost Kingsley Enagbare to the New York Jets in the off-season, leaving the edge rotation thin without Parsons.
A new system under Gannon
Jonathan Gannon replaced Jeff Hafley as defensive coordinator after Hafley was hired by the Miami Dolphins. In May, Gannon told reporters that Green Bay would run a “new system”, not the one he used with the Philadelphia Eagles or the Arizona Cardinals.
He has new personnel to run it. Zaire Franklin arrived from the Indianapolis Colts in a March trade for Colby Wooden to start at middle linebacker, and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave joined from the Minnesota Vikings. Xavier McKinney, a two-time All-Pro safety, remains the leader of the secondary.
Containing Stafford and Nacua
The Rams were the most productive offence in the league last season. They ranked first in the NFL with 30.5 points and 394.6 total yards per game in 2025, while Matthew Stafford threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns on his way to his first MVP award.
Puka Nacua is the main threat in the passing game. He turned 129 catches into 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025, despite missing a game.
There is a new voice in the offensive staff. Nathan Scheelhaase was promoted to offensive coordinator on 20 February 2026, succeeding Mike LaFleur, with Sean McVay still head coach.
Green Bay’s pass defence gives Gannon a base to work from. Through Week 8, the Packers allowed 204.0 passing yards per game, eighth in the NFL, and 10 passing touchdowns. A four-man rush led by Parsons would let Gannon keep McKinney deep against Nacua rather than committing extra blitzers.
Where Green Bay must improve
The weak spots are the situations that decide close games. The Packers rank 23rd on third down, allowing conversions 42.0% of the time, and 22nd in the red zone, where opponents score touchdowns on 66.7% of trips.
The run defence is middling. Green Bay concedes 110.9 rushing yards per game, 15th in the league, which matters against a backfield of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
Overall, the Packers allow 20.5 points per game, 10th in the NFL, while the Rams’ own defence ranks fifth in total yards allowed at 301.1 per game.
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