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By: Cameron DaSilva | 3 hours ago
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Coming off a disappointing loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Los Angeles Rams have a quick turn around as they’ll head on the road to face the Seahawks on Thursday night. Both teams sit at 3-1 and are a half-game back of the division-leading 49ers, making this a pivotal matchup in the NFC West.
This is a tough matchup for the Rams, given Seattle’s ability to run the ball and Los Angeles’ struggles to stop opposing rushing attacks. There are battles that favor the Rams, however, which they’ll need to exploit.
Here are five key matchups to watch in this Week 5 showdown.
Rob Havenstein vs. Jadeveon Clowney
Havenstein has been a disaster at right tackle this season, struggling against the likes of Cameron Jordan, Myles Garrett and Shaq Barrett. The road won’t get any easier this week with Clowney up next.
Clowney primarily plays left defensive end in Seattle’s 4-3 front, which means he’ll be rushing against Havenstein almost all game long. That presents major problems for the Rams, who must use tight ends and backs to help Havenstein out. Otherwise, Jared Goff might not make it all 60 minutes.
Clay Matthews vs. Germain Ifedi
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Matthews has arguably been the Rams’ best defensive player thus far. He leads the team in sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hits, and has taken full advantage of his opportunities thanks to Aaron Donald’s presence. On Thursday night, he’ll have a very favorable matchup with Ifedi, who is the Seahawks’ worst offensive lineman.
Matthews should be able to get to Russell Wilson at least once, but converting pressure into sacks could prove difficult because of the QB’s elusiveness. Matthews has to contain Wilson and prevent him from escaping the pocket.
Robert Woods vs. Shaquil Griffin
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Griffin has been one of the better corners in the league this season, manning the left side of the defense for Seattle. The Rams play their receivers all over the field, but Woods most often lines up on the right side. Griffin isn’t the fastest corner, so Woods’ speed could be a challenge for him. The same goes for Brandin Cooks, who might see time on the right side, too.
Woods and Cooks have been great through four games, as has Cooper Kupp. They might be slowed by Seattle’s secondary thanks to the play of Griffin at cornerback. Expect the Rams to test Griffin with quick in-breaking routes and passes over the top to Cooks and Woods.
John Johnson vs. Will Dissly
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Dissly isn’t a household name, but he’s a threat in Seattle’s offense. at 6-foot-4, his size presents problems for defensive backs, particularly in the red zone. Whether Taylor Rapp plays or not, Johnson will draw Dissly in coverage during the game. That’s a key matchup because Dissly has been a big weapon in the passing game and the Rams must keep him out of the end zone; he has four touchdowns this season.
Eric Weddle will be matched up with Dissly, too, which gives the tight end a clear advantage in height. He’s not the biggest playmaker Seattle has, but in the red area, he might just be.
Rams LBs vs. Seahawks RBs
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Seahawks love to impose their will on defenses with a power running game and physicality up front. They’ve run the ball 111 times this season and despite averaging just 4.0 yards per carry, they’ve still had success on the ground with Chris Carson. He has three carries of 20-plus yards and runs as hard as any back in the league.
Cory Littleton will need to match that physicality on the interior, as will Troy Reeder if Bryce Hager can’t play. Expect John Johnson and Weddle to play in the box some, too, in order to stop the run. But if Seattle has success on the ground against the Rams’ uninspiring run defense, Los Angeles could be in some trouble.
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Coming off a disappointing loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Los Angeles Rams have a quick turn around as they’ll head on the road to face the Seahawks on Thursday night. Both teams sit at 3-1 and are a half-game back of the division-leading 49ers, making this a pivotal matchup in the NFC West.
This is a tough matchup for the Rams, given Seattle’s ability to run the ball and Los Angeles’ struggles to stop opposing rushing attacks. There are battles that favor the Rams, however, which they’ll need to exploit.
Here are five key matchups to watch in this Week 5 showdown.
Rob Havenstein vs. Jadeveon Clowney
Havenstein has been a disaster at right tackle this season, struggling against the likes of Cameron Jordan, Myles Garrett and Shaq Barrett. The road won’t get any easier this week with Clowney up next.
Clowney primarily plays left defensive end in Seattle’s 4-3 front, which means he’ll be rushing against Havenstein almost all game long. That presents major problems for the Rams, who must use tight ends and backs to help Havenstein out. Otherwise, Jared Goff might not make it all 60 minutes.
Clay Matthews vs. Germain Ifedi
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Matthews has arguably been the Rams’ best defensive player thus far. He leads the team in sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hits, and has taken full advantage of his opportunities thanks to Aaron Donald’s presence. On Thursday night, he’ll have a very favorable matchup with Ifedi, who is the Seahawks’ worst offensive lineman.
Matthews should be able to get to Russell Wilson at least once, but converting pressure into sacks could prove difficult because of the QB’s elusiveness. Matthews has to contain Wilson and prevent him from escaping the pocket.
Robert Woods vs. Shaquil Griffin
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Griffin has been one of the better corners in the league this season, manning the left side of the defense for Seattle. The Rams play their receivers all over the field, but Woods most often lines up on the right side. Griffin isn’t the fastest corner, so Woods’ speed could be a challenge for him. The same goes for Brandin Cooks, who might see time on the right side, too.
Woods and Cooks have been great through four games, as has Cooper Kupp. They might be slowed by Seattle’s secondary thanks to the play of Griffin at cornerback. Expect the Rams to test Griffin with quick in-breaking routes and passes over the top to Cooks and Woods.
John Johnson vs. Will Dissly
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Dissly isn’t a household name, but he’s a threat in Seattle’s offense. at 6-foot-4, his size presents problems for defensive backs, particularly in the red zone. Whether Taylor Rapp plays or not, Johnson will draw Dissly in coverage during the game. That’s a key matchup because Dissly has been a big weapon in the passing game and the Rams must keep him out of the end zone; he has four touchdowns this season.
Eric Weddle will be matched up with Dissly, too, which gives the tight end a clear advantage in height. He’s not the biggest playmaker Seattle has, but in the red area, he might just be.
Rams LBs vs. Seahawks RBs
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Seahawks love to impose their will on defenses with a power running game and physicality up front. They’ve run the ball 111 times this season and despite averaging just 4.0 yards per carry, they’ve still had success on the ground with Chris Carson. He has three carries of 20-plus yards and runs as hard as any back in the league.
Cory Littleton will need to match that physicality on the interior, as will Troy Reeder if Bryce Hager can’t play. Expect John Johnson and Weddle to play in the box some, too, in order to stop the run. But if Seattle has success on the ground against the Rams’ uninspiring run defense, Los Angeles could be in some trouble.
Rams at Seahawks: 5 key matchups to watch in Week 5
Coming off a disappointing loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Los Angeles Rams have a quick turn around as they'll head on the road to face the Seahawks on Thursday night. Both teams sit at 3-1 and are a half-game back of the division-leading 49ers, making this a…
theramswire.usatoday.com
