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Cameron DaSilva
8 hours ago
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The margin for error will be slim for the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, entering this game at 7-5 and one game back of the Vikings for the sixth seed in the NFC. They badly need a win over their division rivals with the Seahawks coming to town, but getting one will be tough.
Seattle is 10-2 and has been rolling of late, winning five games in a row. The Seahawks beat the Rams in their first meeting in Week 5, so Los Angeles will be trying to avenge that loss.
Here are four key matchups to watch on Sunday night.
Rams RT vs. Jadeveon Clowney
Rob Havenstein is moving closer to returning from his knee injury, being a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. It’s unclear if he’ll start at right tackle, or if it’ll continue to be Bobby Evans, but either way, someone’s going to have their hands full. Clowney is the Seahawks’ best pass rusher, which may not seem like it’s saying a lot considering he only has three sacks.
However, Clowney is an impactful player against both the run and pass and his physical traits alone make him difficult to block. The Rams should give either Havenstein or Evans help on the right side like they did against Khalil Mack, which worked well.
Jalen Ramsey vs. Tyler Lockett
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Rams didn’t have Ramsey last time they faced the Seahawks and while Lockett didn’t exactly go off, he did have 51 yards and a touchdown on only four targets. The Rams hope to keep him at bay on Sunday night, likely sticking Ramsey on him in coverage. The Seahawks will likely try to move him around and get him the ball in a variety of ways, given how many plays he’s made for them this season.
If the Rams don’t put Ramsey on Lockett, Troy Hill will likely have his number called often in this one.
Dante Fowler Jr. vs. Duane Brown
(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Brown is banged up coming into this game, recovering from injuries to his knee and biceps. It’s unclear if he’ll be able to play, but if he does, it’ll make a big difference for the Seahawks. He’s only allowed one sack this season and has been consistent all year at left tackle.
Fowler has quietly had a very good season, ranking fourth among edge rushers in pass-rush win rate, which is a metric ESPN uses. He’s benefitting from all the attention that’s being paid to Aaron Donald, winning his one-on-one matchups more often than he did a year ago. He’s a key player in this game, and his role will be even more important if Brown can’t play.
Brandin Cooks vs. Tre Flowers
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Cooks has been mostly a non-factor on offense for the Rams this season. He has just two games with more than four catches and has been targeted at least five times just once since the start of October. He did miss time with a concussion, but Cooks hasn’t done much on offense this year.
Sunday is a good opportunity for him to get going, having a favorable matchup against Flowers on the left side of the field. Look for Jared Goff to take a few deep shots Cooks’ way, as well as a screen or two thrown in his direction. The offense opens up when Cooks and Goff are connecting on deep throws.
8 hours ago
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The margin for error will be slim for the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, entering this game at 7-5 and one game back of the Vikings for the sixth seed in the NFC. They badly need a win over their division rivals with the Seahawks coming to town, but getting one will be tough.
Seattle is 10-2 and has been rolling of late, winning five games in a row. The Seahawks beat the Rams in their first meeting in Week 5, so Los Angeles will be trying to avenge that loss.
Here are four key matchups to watch on Sunday night.
Rams RT vs. Jadeveon Clowney
Rob Havenstein is moving closer to returning from his knee injury, being a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. It’s unclear if he’ll start at right tackle, or if it’ll continue to be Bobby Evans, but either way, someone’s going to have their hands full. Clowney is the Seahawks’ best pass rusher, which may not seem like it’s saying a lot considering he only has three sacks.
However, Clowney is an impactful player against both the run and pass and his physical traits alone make him difficult to block. The Rams should give either Havenstein or Evans help on the right side like they did against Khalil Mack, which worked well.
Jalen Ramsey vs. Tyler Lockett
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Rams didn’t have Ramsey last time they faced the Seahawks and while Lockett didn’t exactly go off, he did have 51 yards and a touchdown on only four targets. The Rams hope to keep him at bay on Sunday night, likely sticking Ramsey on him in coverage. The Seahawks will likely try to move him around and get him the ball in a variety of ways, given how many plays he’s made for them this season.
If the Rams don’t put Ramsey on Lockett, Troy Hill will likely have his number called often in this one.
Dante Fowler Jr. vs. Duane Brown
(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Brown is banged up coming into this game, recovering from injuries to his knee and biceps. It’s unclear if he’ll be able to play, but if he does, it’ll make a big difference for the Seahawks. He’s only allowed one sack this season and has been consistent all year at left tackle.
Fowler has quietly had a very good season, ranking fourth among edge rushers in pass-rush win rate, which is a metric ESPN uses. He’s benefitting from all the attention that’s being paid to Aaron Donald, winning his one-on-one matchups more often than he did a year ago. He’s a key player in this game, and his role will be even more important if Brown can’t play.
Brandin Cooks vs. Tre Flowers
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Cooks has been mostly a non-factor on offense for the Rams this season. He has just two games with more than four catches and has been targeted at least five times just once since the start of October. He did miss time with a concussion, but Cooks hasn’t done much on offense this year.
Sunday is a good opportunity for him to get going, having a favorable matchup against Flowers on the left side of the field. Look for Jared Goff to take a few deep shots Cooks’ way, as well as a screen or two thrown in his direction. The offense opens up when Cooks and Goff are connecting on deep throws.
Rams vs. Seahawks: 4 key matchups to watch in Week 14
The Rams must contain Jadeveon Clowney on Sunday night.
theramswire.usatoday.com