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Cameron DaSilva
6 hours ago
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
The Los Angeles Rams are back on the road for their next two games after beating the Seahawks at home in Week 14. First, they’ll head to Dallas where they’ll take on the 6-7 Cowboys, who have lost their way in recent weeks.
As poorly as the Cowboys are playing, though, they’re still a team with an abundance of talent – just like the Rams. There are star-studded matchups all over the field, and many of them will determine which team comes out on top Sunday afternoon.
The Rams have the edge in a lot of areas, but Dallas has a trio of offensive playmakers that rivals any in the league. Here are five key matchups to watch at AT&T Stadium in Week 15.
Rams OTs vs. Cowboys DEs
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
This is the matchup that could dictate how Los Angeles’ offense operates. There aren’t many pass-rush tandems in the league better than Robert Quinn and DeMarcus Lawrence. They both rank in the top six among all defenders in pass-rush win rate this season, which shows just how well each one is playing.
Andrew Whitworth will be the one blocking Quinn, while it’s not exactly clear who will be assigned to Lawrence. Rob Havenstein may return from injury, but the Rams won’t say whether he’ll replace Bobby Evans as the starter. Either way, Evans or Havenstein will have their hands full on the edge.
Aaron Donald vs. Xavier Su’a-Filo
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
This is a lopsided matchup that favors the Rams, as is the case every week when Donald suits up. Su’a-Filo was the backup left guard until Connor Williams tore his ACL, and he’s not exactly an above-average blocker.
Donald probably won’t have more than a few rushes where he’s one-on-one with Su’a-Filo, considering how often he’s doubled by opponents. That means Tyron Smith will give his fellow lineman some help with Donald, as will Travis Frederick from his center position.
Interior pressure is the best way to throw a quarterback out of rhythm, so Donald winning his reps will be critical.
Jalen Ramsey vs. Amari Cooper
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
A marquee matchup between a top corner and wide receiver is always fun to watch. As good as Dallas is at wideout, this is the battle that will get most of the attention. Cooper has been significantly better at home than he has on the road with the Cowboys, averaging 7.8 catches and 126.3 yards per game with five touchdowns at AT&T Stadium this year.
Prescott should look his way often on Sunday afternoon, which means Ramsey could be busier than normal. Cooper has seen 100 passes come his way this year, an average of 7.7 per game. Expect Ramsey to be physical at the line and talkative after the whistle, trying to get Cooper off his game from the start.
Cooper Kupp vs. Jourdan Lewis
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lewis is a shifty cornerback who’s best when pressing at the line of scrimmage. The Rams do a lot of things to free up their receivers at the line, like stacking them and using motion, so this should get Kupp open against Lewis.
Since Kupp’s 220-yard performance against the Bengals, he only has one game with more than six targets and just 198 yards on 19 receptions in his last five starts. He hasn’t been as heavily involved since Robert Woods took over the bulk of the targets and Tyler Higbee’s recent emergence, but getting him going always helps the offense.
Cory Littleton vs. Ezekiel Elliott
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Elliott is one of the best running backs in the game despite him having a down year in 2019. Littleton, on the flip side, is having his best season as a pro and will be tasked with tackling Elliott whenever the Cowboys offense is out there.
Littleton is one of the surest tacklers in football and rarely misses opportunities. Limiting Elliott’s yards after contact will be a big part of this game and the more often Littleton can get his hands on the Cowboys running back, the better the Rams will fare.
6 hours ago
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
The Los Angeles Rams are back on the road for their next two games after beating the Seahawks at home in Week 14. First, they’ll head to Dallas where they’ll take on the 6-7 Cowboys, who have lost their way in recent weeks.
As poorly as the Cowboys are playing, though, they’re still a team with an abundance of talent – just like the Rams. There are star-studded matchups all over the field, and many of them will determine which team comes out on top Sunday afternoon.
The Rams have the edge in a lot of areas, but Dallas has a trio of offensive playmakers that rivals any in the league. Here are five key matchups to watch at AT&T Stadium in Week 15.
Rams OTs vs. Cowboys DEs
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
This is the matchup that could dictate how Los Angeles’ offense operates. There aren’t many pass-rush tandems in the league better than Robert Quinn and DeMarcus Lawrence. They both rank in the top six among all defenders in pass-rush win rate this season, which shows just how well each one is playing.
Andrew Whitworth will be the one blocking Quinn, while it’s not exactly clear who will be assigned to Lawrence. Rob Havenstein may return from injury, but the Rams won’t say whether he’ll replace Bobby Evans as the starter. Either way, Evans or Havenstein will have their hands full on the edge.
Aaron Donald vs. Xavier Su’a-Filo
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
This is a lopsided matchup that favors the Rams, as is the case every week when Donald suits up. Su’a-Filo was the backup left guard until Connor Williams tore his ACL, and he’s not exactly an above-average blocker.
Donald probably won’t have more than a few rushes where he’s one-on-one with Su’a-Filo, considering how often he’s doubled by opponents. That means Tyron Smith will give his fellow lineman some help with Donald, as will Travis Frederick from his center position.
Interior pressure is the best way to throw a quarterback out of rhythm, so Donald winning his reps will be critical.
Jalen Ramsey vs. Amari Cooper
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
A marquee matchup between a top corner and wide receiver is always fun to watch. As good as Dallas is at wideout, this is the battle that will get most of the attention. Cooper has been significantly better at home than he has on the road with the Cowboys, averaging 7.8 catches and 126.3 yards per game with five touchdowns at AT&T Stadium this year.
Prescott should look his way often on Sunday afternoon, which means Ramsey could be busier than normal. Cooper has seen 100 passes come his way this year, an average of 7.7 per game. Expect Ramsey to be physical at the line and talkative after the whistle, trying to get Cooper off his game from the start.
Cooper Kupp vs. Jourdan Lewis
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lewis is a shifty cornerback who’s best when pressing at the line of scrimmage. The Rams do a lot of things to free up their receivers at the line, like stacking them and using motion, so this should get Kupp open against Lewis.
Since Kupp’s 220-yard performance against the Bengals, he only has one game with more than six targets and just 198 yards on 19 receptions in his last five starts. He hasn’t been as heavily involved since Robert Woods took over the bulk of the targets and Tyler Higbee’s recent emergence, but getting him going always helps the offense.
Cory Littleton vs. Ezekiel Elliott
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Elliott is one of the best running backs in the game despite him having a down year in 2019. Littleton, on the flip side, is having his best season as a pro and will be tasked with tackling Elliott whenever the Cowboys offense is out there.
Littleton is one of the surest tacklers in football and rarely misses opportunities. Limiting Elliott’s yards after contact will be a big part of this game and the more often Littleton can get his hands on the Cowboys running back, the better the Rams will fare.
Rams at Cowboys: 5 biggest matchups to watch in Week 15
The Rams and Cowboys will square off on Sunday afternoon with several marquee matchups all over the field.
theramswire.usatoday.com