Highlighting the amazing matchups that will define Packers vs. Rams

The showdown between the top-seeded Green Bay Packers (13-3) and the sixth-seeded Los Angeles Rams (10-6) in the NFC Divisional Round could be defined and decided by all the great individual matchups within the contest.

The matchup will feature titanic battles between opposing players and coaches on both sides of the football.

Here’s a closer look at all the best matchups in Packers vs. Rams:

Davante Adams vs. Jalen Ramsey

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

The obvious one first. Adams, a first-team All-Pro receiver, will see plenty of Ramsey, a first-team All-Pro cornerback. This might be the best matchup of receiver vs. cornerback in the NFL in 2020 and one of the greatest individual matchups of the entire season. Adams set a new team record with 115 catches, caught an NFL-high 18 touchdown passes and led all receivers in yards per route run, while Ramsey broke up nine passes and paced all cornerbacks in yards allowed per coverage snap, per Pro Football Focus. Aaron Rodgers had a passer rating of 136.0 when targeting Adams this season; Ramsey gave up a passer rating go 73.0 against his coverage. The Packers will likely move Adams around to exploit matchups, but Ramsey could shadow him on a majority of plays on Saturday. Can Adams win consistently, or will the Packers need a big night from the secondary targets in the passing game?

Packers interior OL vs. Aaron Donald

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Donald is nursing a rib injury, but he's a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and the single most disruptive interior force in the game. He wins with quickness and power, and most starting offensive linemen can't handle him in one-on-one situations. The Packers can counter Donald with an impressive interior offensive line that features first-team All-Pro center Corey Linsley and Pro Bowl guard Elgton Jenkins, but the Rams may find ways to get Donald matched up against whoever is playing right guard, most likely Lucas Patrick. This might be the single most important matchup of the contest. If Donald dominates, especially as a pass-rusher, the Packers could struggle to keep drives alive and score points. Interior pressure can be hard to avoid and hard to scheme against for an offense. The interior of the Packers offensive line must play its best game of the season on Saturday.

Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers vs. Rams DC Brandon Staley

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There's been no better coach-quarterback combination this season than LaFleur and Rodgers, who combined forces as play caller and passer to create the NFL's highest-scoring offense and a likely third MVP award for Rodgers. They'll face their biggest test of the season on Saturday. Staley's defense ranks first in several major statistical categories, including points per game, points per drive and yards per play. The Rams mix a disruptive defensive front with talent and depth in the secondary, and Staley, a 38-year-old up-and-comer in the coaching ranks, has tied it all together with a scheme that has made life increasingly difficult on opposing quarterbacks. And considering LaFleur comes from Sean McVay's coaching tree, Staley will have a good idea what's coming on Saturday. The Packers will need a strong plan and high-level execution to break down everything Staley and the Rams are throwing their way.

Jaire Alexander vs. Robert Woods

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Alexander had his big moment as a rookie in Los Angeles against the Rams, breaking up five passes in a smothering performance against Brandin Cooks. The Packers may need another elite performance from their All-Pro cornerback on Saturday against Robert Woods, the Rams' best perimeter threat. A smooth athlete and talented route-runner, Woods has three straight seasons with at least 85 catches in McVay's offense. Cooper Kupp will operate from the slot, but expect Woods to get a big dose of Alexander on Saturday. The Rams have injury issues at quarterback coming into the Divisional Round, and the potential problems throwing the ball would only be exacerbated if Alexander can shut down Woods like he's done so many other receivers this season.

Mike Pettine vs. Sean McVay

Dec 6, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half during a game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic

Pettine's defense got run over by Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers in last year's NFC title game, providing a stark reminder of what a smart and creative play-caller can do against the Packers on the big stage. McVay fits the mold, even if his scheme isn't a carbon copy of Shanahan's. Saturday will be a big opportunity for Pettine to show he can match wits against a top play caller in a big spot in the postseason. With an uncertain quarterback situation, Pettine and the Packers can probably expect some new wrinkles from McVay and the Rams. It's possible the Rams will attempt to lean on rookie running back Cam Akers and the run game to alleviate some of the stress on the quarterback position. Pettine's defense was ascending to end the regular season, and there's a chance the Packers will need to keep the Rams under 20 points to win, especially if the offense is struggling to score against the NFL's top-ranked defense.

Packers RT Rick Wagner vs. Rams edge rusher Leonard Floyd

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, right, rushes up field around Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Rick Wagner (71) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)

Floyd, the former Chicago Bear, had a breakout 2020 season with the Rams, delivering career-highs in sacks (10.5) and quarterback hits (19). He can be an explosive and slippery rusher from the edge. The Rams use him primarily on the defense's left side, meaning a matchup with Packers right tackle Rick Wagner. The week off likely gave Wagner a chance to get his ailing knee healthy. He'll need two healthy legs to handle Floyd, especially if the Packers prioritize helping out against Donald inside. It might be Wagner vs. Floyd in a one-on-one situation on most drop backs on Saturday. The Packers need Wagner to keep Floyd from being a disruptive edge-rushing force, especially in obvious passing situations.

Packers edge rusher Za'Darius Smith vs. Rams LT Andrew Whitworth

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec 6. 2020, between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Even at 39 years old, Whitworth remains one of the best pass-blocking offensive tackles in football. He'll get a matchup against Za'Darius Smith, the Packers' most productive rusher. Mike Pettine likes to move Smith around, especially in obvious passing situations, but the Packers still need him to win battles on the edge against Whitworth, who returned against the Seahawks after missing two months with a knee injury. Turning up the heat on Jared Goff or John Wolford could be an easy recipe for a win for the Packers defense.