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Rams-Seahawks: Matchup breakdown
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/14936/rams-seahawks-matchup-breakdown-3
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- A look at three individual matchups to keep an eye on when the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks meet at 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday.
Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree vs. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson
The Rams' defense played just well enough to beat Seattle in the first meeting with plenty of help from the special teams but the Seahawks nearly pulled off a second-half comeback largely because of Wilson's performance. Wilson finished with 313 yards and two touchdowns in the air with no interceptions, but it was the damage he did with his legs that really gave the Rams problems.
And nobody struggled more in that situation than Ogletree, who was drafted in large part because the Rams wanted a linebacker who could keep up with athletic quarterbacks like Wilson. In that first meeting, Wilson exploited Ogletree's propensity for over pursuing and falling for misdirection to the tune of 106 yards on seven carries with a 19-yard touchdown and a 52-yard run both coming in Ogletree's direction.
Since that time, Ogletree has been more disciplined and played much better over the final half of the season. But he'll need to be at his best for the Rams to have a chance on Sunday.
Rams right tackle Joe Barksdale vs. Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett
For the many things the Seahawks' defense does well, posting sacks isn't necessarily at the top of the list. But Bennett is the best on the roster with seven sacks and is generally able to create pressure on a consistent basis. Barksdale did well against Bennett in the first meeting this year as Bennett had three tackles but no sacks.
With unrestricted free agency awaiting in the offseason, this is Barksdale's last chance to state his case for big money when he hits the open market. Faring well against Bennett won't guarantee anything but it certainly couldn't hurt. It would also go a long way toward helping the Rams move closer to an upset.
Rams safety T.J. McDonald vs. Seahawks tight end Luke Willson
The Rams have been outstanding defending tight ends this season, regularly taking away the middle of the field and forcing the action to the outside. Opposing tight ends have managed just 64 catches for 661 yards, eighth best in the NFL, against the Rams this season. Of course, opponents have had much more success but with Willson emerging as one of Wilson's top targets, the Rams will have to find a way to slow the tight end down.
Willson had three catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns against the Cardinals last week but hasn't been a consistent threat for most of the season. Still, it's easy to imagine that Willson is playing with more confidence than he has at any point in his career. McDonald spends plenty of his time in the run box and isn't always back in coverage but he has proved better in coverage than initially suspected when he entered the league. According to Pro Football Focus, McDonald has been targeted 58 times this year, allowing 42 receptions for 472 yards and six touchdowns. Most of that damage came early in the season but it's worth keeping an eye on McDonald in coverage after a rough outing last week against the Giants.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/14936/rams-seahawks-matchup-breakdown-3
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- A look at three individual matchups to keep an eye on when the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks meet at 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday.
Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree vs. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson
The Rams' defense played just well enough to beat Seattle in the first meeting with plenty of help from the special teams but the Seahawks nearly pulled off a second-half comeback largely because of Wilson's performance. Wilson finished with 313 yards and two touchdowns in the air with no interceptions, but it was the damage he did with his legs that really gave the Rams problems.
And nobody struggled more in that situation than Ogletree, who was drafted in large part because the Rams wanted a linebacker who could keep up with athletic quarterbacks like Wilson. In that first meeting, Wilson exploited Ogletree's propensity for over pursuing and falling for misdirection to the tune of 106 yards on seven carries with a 19-yard touchdown and a 52-yard run both coming in Ogletree's direction.
Since that time, Ogletree has been more disciplined and played much better over the final half of the season. But he'll need to be at his best for the Rams to have a chance on Sunday.
Rams right tackle Joe Barksdale vs. Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett
For the many things the Seahawks' defense does well, posting sacks isn't necessarily at the top of the list. But Bennett is the best on the roster with seven sacks and is generally able to create pressure on a consistent basis. Barksdale did well against Bennett in the first meeting this year as Bennett had three tackles but no sacks.
With unrestricted free agency awaiting in the offseason, this is Barksdale's last chance to state his case for big money when he hits the open market. Faring well against Bennett won't guarantee anything but it certainly couldn't hurt. It would also go a long way toward helping the Rams move closer to an upset.
Rams safety T.J. McDonald vs. Seahawks tight end Luke Willson
The Rams have been outstanding defending tight ends this season, regularly taking away the middle of the field and forcing the action to the outside. Opposing tight ends have managed just 64 catches for 661 yards, eighth best in the NFL, against the Rams this season. Of course, opponents have had much more success but with Willson emerging as one of Wilson's top targets, the Rams will have to find a way to slow the tight end down.
Willson had three catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns against the Cardinals last week but hasn't been a consistent threat for most of the season. Still, it's easy to imagine that Willson is playing with more confidence than he has at any point in his career. McDonald spends plenty of his time in the run box and isn't always back in coverage but he has proved better in coverage than initially suspected when he entered the league. According to Pro Football Focus, McDonald has been targeted 58 times this year, allowing 42 receptions for 472 yards and six touchdowns. Most of that damage came early in the season but it's worth keeping an eye on McDonald in coverage after a rough outing last week against the Giants.