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- May 9, 2018
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Match-ups matter.
Clearly, the Rams don't match up well against the 49ers. In all likelihood, that's an issue that we won't have to deal with again until next year.
For now, we have the Arizona Cardinals coming to town, and I think this is a very favorable match-up.
On offense, Sean McVay clearly wants to get back to establishing the run. It worked very well at times during the team's five game winning streak before utterly failing yesterday. However, itts a strategy that can work very well against the Cardinals.
Arizona ranked 20th allowing 114.3 yards per game on the ground, and tied for 26th allowing 4.6 yards per attempt. Perhaps more importantly, the per carry average was not a "garbage time" stat (i.e. built up by 15 yard draw plays on 3rd and 20). Rather, they allowed the same 4.6 ypc on 1st and 10.
I expect a heavy dose of Sony Michel and Cam Akers, with the OL re-finding its run blocking success. This will make Matthew Stafford's life easier, and have a big impact on the overall confidence of the offense.
On defense, the Rams have had trouble at times with smash-mouth teams. That's not the Cardinals. Taking away Kyler Murray's rushing totals, Arizona RBs posted a pedestrian 83.0 yards/game and 4.2 yards per carry. With James Conner and Chase Edmonds both dealing with injuries (and, possibly, unavailable), the Cardinals run game could be even less of a threat.
I think the Rams will be able to control the ball and the clock and put heavy pressure on Kyler Murray to win the game on his own. I like our odds of advancing and doing so with regained confidence.
Clearly, the Rams don't match up well against the 49ers. In all likelihood, that's an issue that we won't have to deal with again until next year.
For now, we have the Arizona Cardinals coming to town, and I think this is a very favorable match-up.
On offense, Sean McVay clearly wants to get back to establishing the run. It worked very well at times during the team's five game winning streak before utterly failing yesterday. However, itts a strategy that can work very well against the Cardinals.
Arizona ranked 20th allowing 114.3 yards per game on the ground, and tied for 26th allowing 4.6 yards per attempt. Perhaps more importantly, the per carry average was not a "garbage time" stat (i.e. built up by 15 yard draw plays on 3rd and 20). Rather, they allowed the same 4.6 ypc on 1st and 10.
I expect a heavy dose of Sony Michel and Cam Akers, with the OL re-finding its run blocking success. This will make Matthew Stafford's life easier, and have a big impact on the overall confidence of the offense.
On defense, the Rams have had trouble at times with smash-mouth teams. That's not the Cardinals. Taking away Kyler Murray's rushing totals, Arizona RBs posted a pedestrian 83.0 yards/game and 4.2 yards per carry. With James Conner and Chase Edmonds both dealing with injuries (and, possibly, unavailable), the Cardinals run game could be even less of a threat.
I think the Rams will be able to control the ball and the clock and put heavy pressure on Kyler Murray to win the game on his own. I like our odds of advancing and doing so with regained confidence.
