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The Los Angeles Rams are trying to bounce back from a devastating loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, visiting the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. It's another game they're heavily favored to win, but not many teams boast the offensive skill players that Atlanta does.
That creates some difficult matchups for Rams defenders, especially given the injuries Los Angeles is dealing with on that side of the ball.
Here are six key matchups that will decide Monday's game.
Matthews is having another strong season for the Falcons as their starting left tackle. He’ll be going up against Verse, who brings as much power to the edge as anyone in the NFL. Verse hasn’t racked up the sacks like many expected him to in Year 2 but he’s still up there among the league leaders in total pressures and consistently has an impact on games. With Kirk Cousins being a statue in the pocket, Verse should get home at least one time on Monday.
Nacua will probably line up out wide more often this week with Davante Adams doubtful to play again, putting him in a matchup with Terrell. Terrell is a physical corner but not one capable of shutting down Nacua on his own. No cornerback is. He’s had a tough season with three touchdowns allowed, no interceptions and a coverage grade of only 51.1 at Pro Football Focus.
The Rams shut down Jahmyr Gibbs, who plays a similar style to Robinson, but this is yet another difficult matchup for Landman. He’s more of a downhill linebacker who’s better when attacking the line of scrimmage than he is playing sideline to sideline. He has to be ready to chase Robinson all over the field, especially when Cousins throws to him as a receiver.
Forbes has struggled with bigger, physical receivers this season, which London is. The Falcons wideout is questionable but expected to play, and he’ll be someone Cousins targets often against the Rams’ cornerbacks. Forbes can’t allow him to have a big game because he’s capable of winning deep and moving the chains on third down.
Sean McVay said he thinks Jackson will be able to play but if not, it’ll be Humphries at left tackle. Pearce leads the Falcons with 39 total pressures this season, putting together a strong rookie year. He’s the player Atlanta traded up with the Rams for, too. The Falcons blitz a ton so expect Pearce to get plenty of one-on-one matchups against whoever is at left tackle for L.A.
Josh Wallace is out for Monday’s game, leaving Roger McCreary and Derion Kendrick as the top candidates to take over in the slot. Pitts is a mismatch for both of them thanks to his combination of size and speed, potentially causing problems for the Rams’ pass defense. Pitts has four touchdowns and 223 yards receiving in the last two games.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams vs. Falcons: 6 matchups that will decide Monday's game
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That creates some difficult matchups for Rams defenders, especially given the injuries Los Angeles is dealing with on that side of the ball.
Here are six key matchups that will decide Monday's game.
OLB Jared Verse vs. LT Jake Matthews
Matthews is having another strong season for the Falcons as their starting left tackle. He’ll be going up against Verse, who brings as much power to the edge as anyone in the NFL. Verse hasn’t racked up the sacks like many expected him to in Year 2 but he’s still up there among the league leaders in total pressures and consistently has an impact on games. With Kirk Cousins being a statue in the pocket, Verse should get home at least one time on Monday.
WR Puka Nacua vs. CB A.J. Terrell
Nacua will probably line up out wide more often this week with Davante Adams doubtful to play again, putting him in a matchup with Terrell. Terrell is a physical corner but not one capable of shutting down Nacua on his own. No cornerback is. He’s had a tough season with three touchdowns allowed, no interceptions and a coverage grade of only 51.1 at Pro Football Focus.
LB Nate Landman vs. RB Bijan Robinson
The Rams shut down Jahmyr Gibbs, who plays a similar style to Robinson, but this is yet another difficult matchup for Landman. He’s more of a downhill linebacker who’s better when attacking the line of scrimmage than he is playing sideline to sideline. He has to be ready to chase Robinson all over the field, especially when Cousins throws to him as a receiver.
CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. vs. WR Drake London
Forbes has struggled with bigger, physical receivers this season, which London is. The Falcons wideout is questionable but expected to play, and he’ll be someone Cousins targets often against the Rams’ cornerbacks. Forbes can’t allow him to have a big game because he’s capable of winning deep and moving the chains on third down.
LT Alaric Jackson or D.J. Humphries vs. OLB James Pearce Jr.
Sean McVay said he thinks Jackson will be able to play but if not, it’ll be Humphries at left tackle. Pearce leads the Falcons with 39 total pressures this season, putting together a strong rookie year. He’s the player Atlanta traded up with the Rams for, too. The Falcons blitz a ton so expect Pearce to get plenty of one-on-one matchups against whoever is at left tackle for L.A.
Rams’ slot CBs vs. TE Kyle Pitts
Josh Wallace is out for Monday’s game, leaving Roger McCreary and Derion Kendrick as the top candidates to take over in the slot. Pitts is a mismatch for both of them thanks to his combination of size and speed, potentially causing problems for the Rams’ pass defense. Pitts has four touchdowns and 223 yards receiving in the last two games.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams vs. Falcons: 6 matchups that will decide Monday's game
Continue reading...
