Rams vs. Cowboys: 5 keys to the game for Los Angeles

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By: Cameron DaSilva | 5 hours ago
The Los Angeles Rams are back in action on Saturday night, taking on the Dallas Cowboys in Honolulu. It’s a later kickoff than normal (10 p.m. ET) because of the time difference, which players and coaches will have to adjust to.
After a disappointing performance in the first preseason game, the Rams need to focus on a few areas of improvement against Dallas. Here are five keys to the game for their second exhibition matchup of the year.

Cut down on penalties
This was a major issue for the Rams last week against the Raiders. They were flagged for 12 penalties (95) yards, many of which came on offense and were procedural. That doesn’t include the infractions that were declined by Oakland, either.
Holding penalties have to be reduced on Saturday because of how quickly they set the offense back and kill drives. It’s difficult to get anything going when you’re consistently moving backwards. Penalties are common in the preseason because of the inexperience of the players on the field, but the Rams have to reduce the number of mistakes made.

Pave the way up front
Sacks weren’t a huge problem for the Rams in the opener, allowing just one to the Raiders, but Los Angeles’ quarterbacks were under constant pressure and there was little running room on the ground. Oakland had eight tackles for loss as defenders slipped through to hit running backs behind the line of scrimmage.

Bobby Evans and David Edwards struggled the most, while Jamil Demby had his troubles, too. The Rams’ second-string offensive line is young and inexperienced, but it has to be better than it was a week ago if they want to win this game.

Eliminate dropped passes
In addition to penalties, drops plagued the Rams offense in the first preseason game. JoJo Natson, Johnny Mundt and KhaDarel Hodge all dropped passes, and that was just with Blake Bortles at quarterback. It’s difficult to evaluate how a quarterback is playing when his receivers aren’t giving him any help.

Not to mention, drops are the easiest way for a wide receiver to end up in the dog house – and for these players fighting for roster spots, potentially off the team. This will be a big point of emphasis against Dallas.

Pressure Dallas’ quarterbacks
It took more than three full quarters for the Rams to record their first sack of the game against the Raiders, of which they had two total. No one expects six sacks in a game, but it was the fact that the Rams rarely got pressure on Mike Glennon or Nathan Peterman. They were comfortable in the pocket and had time to pick apart the secondary.

There are question marks behind the starters at outside linebacker with no one truly stepping up in a big way. Landis Durham and Josh Carraway looked the best in preseason Week 1, but Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Trevon Young and Natrez Patrick are also lurking.

Escape without injury
The biggest of all “keys” to this game. The Rams are keeping their starters on the sideline (and also back home in Los Angeles) so there are no concerns about the top players getting hurt, but preseason injuries are crushing. Potential starters such as Sebastian Joseph-Day and Micah Kiser must stay healthy and come out of this one unscathed.

The No. 1 goal of the preseason is to avoid injury whenever possible – hence Sean McVay’s reluctance to play his starters.

Rams vs. Cowboys: 5 keys to the game for Los Angeles

If the Rams want to win on Saturday night, these five areas of the game will be key.

theramswire.usatoday.com

 

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Pummel Their Ass

The biggest of all “keys” to this game.