AARON RODGERS (12) is on his way to another MVP season. Can the Rams’ defense stop him? (Wikipedia/Pixels photo).

Long-time Los Angeles Rams’ fans will remember Deacon Jones, who was nicknamed the “Secretary of Defense.” He was the most famous member of the “Fearsome Foursome,” the defensive linemen who terrorized quarterbacks back in the Sixties.

The present day Rams have Aaron Donald, arguably the best defensive player in the National Football League, but he is not alone in breaking the hearts of offensive coordinators in the league. The Rams, collectively, are the top defensive assemblage in the NFL, and so deserve the nickname of “Department of Defense.”

The Rams are ranked number one is total yards allowed, yards passing allowed, passing touchdowns allowed and points allowed.

“We are just like glue,” cornerback Darious Williams said after the team’s 30-20 win last Saturday over the Seattle Seahawks. “We stick together, we all believe in each other and we just go out and play for each other.”

That title of DOD will be put to the test on Saturday when the Rams travel to the ice box of Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin for a Division Playoff game against the Packers (1:35 p.m. on Channel 11). The weather forecast is partly sunny was a high near 26 degrees … six degrees below freezing.

Of course, the winter cold isn’t the only thing the warm weather Rams have to contend with in Cheesehead Country. We mean, of course, Aaron Rogers. The Green Bay quarterback is in front in competition for his second league MVP award. He is putting up Homeric numbers, completing (during the regular season) 70.7 percent of his passes for 4,299 yards. His touchdown to interception ratio – 48 to 5 – it seems like it has to be fake news, it’s so good.

The Packer defense is not exactly a basket of deplorables, either. They are ranked fourth in the league and are likely to give either Jared Goff or John Wolford – whichever gets the starting QB nod on Saturday – fits.

So, to summarize, the Rams have a small edge on defense, the Packers a big one on offense. Throw in Wisconsin weather and Aaron Rodgers’ march to the Hall of Fame, and it’s likely that it’s the Pack that’s headed to the NFC title game, not the SoFi boys.

GOODBYE, TOMMY: It’s with great sadness that we note the passing at age 93 of Dodger legend Tommy Lasorda, who managed the Blue for 20 years. In addition to his leadership skills, he was a gift to sportswriters for his colorful speech and highly usable quotes. He will be sorely missed.

Pete Zarustica writes “Sports Monday.”