NFL
By George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams hit the road for their NFC Wild Card matchup with the Detroit Lions. The Rams are entering the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the NFL, winners of 7 of their last 8 games following a 3-6 start to the season. The Lions won the NFC North division for their first division title since 1993. This game provides an intriguing back story as Matthew Stafford returns to Detroit for the first time since being traded to the Rams and Lions quarterback Jared Goff faces off against his old team.
Rams Offense
Matthew Stafford leads a Rams offense that has seen a change in their offensive philosophy as the season progressed. On the year, Stafford passed for 3965 yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. In his final 5 starts, Stafford played his best football of the season throwing for 11 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions. As the season progressed, Stafford’s pass attempts per game decreased. Only once in the final 8 games did Stafford have more than 40 pass attempts. Though his average pass attempts and yards per game have decreased in the final 8 games, the offense has averaged 28 points per game.
WR Cooper Kupp enters the playoffs with 59 receptions for 737 yards and 5 touchdowns. Injuries limited Kupp to 12 games this season, but he enters the playoffs healthy and will be a primary target in the offensive passing attack. Puka Nacua set rookie records for a receiver with 105 receptions for 1486 yards. Nacua is a strong complement to Kupp in the passing game. Demarcus Robinson has emerged as a solid 3rd option for Stafford. Tutu Atwell has the ability to stretch the field and is the deep threat. Look for TE Tyler Higbee to play a large role in the Rams passing attack against the Lions.
RB Kyren Williams has led a resurgence in the Rams running game. On the season Williams rushed for 1144 yards with 12 touchdowns. Williams became the first Rams running back to rush for over 1000 yards since Todd Gurley. The emergence of Williams as well as changes in the Rams blocking scheme has opened the running game, which in turn has helped the passing game. With the running game being effective, Stafford is able to utilize play-action passing which opens the medium inside routes that coach Sean McVCay likes to use in his passing attack.
The play of the offensive line will be key for the offense to be successful. Aidan Hutchinson has the ability to create havoc on opposing offenses. The Lions will move him around in an attempt to put him in favorable matchups. You will need to be aware he is on the field at all times.
Rams Defense
The team will be facing a very good Lions offense. Quarterback Jared Goff leads the Lions. On the season, Goff passed for 4575 yards with 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Goff’s primary target is WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown hauled in 119 receptions for 1515 yards and 10 touchdowns. St. Brown will make the tough catches across the middle and has the ability to stretch the field. Rookie TE Sam Laporta has been one of Goff’s top targets throughout the season though how effective he will be is in question as he sustained a knee injury in the Lions final game of the season.
The key for the defense will be their ability to put pressure on Goff. The Rams have had issues in their secondary and giving up plays over 15 yards throughout the season. They will look to get Goff off his spot and force him to get rid of the ball quicker than he would like. Look for the Rams to bring pressure up the middle by Aaron Donald and rookie Kobie Turner. Though Goff isn’t considered a mobile quarterback, he is more than capable of moving around the pocket to buy himself time to allow his receivers to create separation. Rams edge rushers Byron Young and Micheal Hoecht will be key in preventing Goff from sliding outside of the pocket and allowing the Rams interior pass rush to get to Goff.
David Montgomery leads the Lions running game with 1015 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. Complimenting Montgomery is RB Jahmyr Gibbs, who finished the season with 945 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. Like the L.A., when Detroit is able to effectively run the ball, Goff is able to use play-action passing to take shots downfield. The Rams defensive line will need to get off their blocks as quickly as possible, close the running lanes, maintain pursuit angles and discipline, and not allow extra yardage with poor tackling.
Prediction
The city of Detroit will be rocking with excitement as the Lions host their first playoff game in over 30 years. Look for the Rams to take the crowd out of the by controlling the pace of the game with time-consuming drives that will keep Goff and the Lions offense off the field. This will be a tough, hard-fought game with the Rams earning the victory and a trip to the NFC divisional round of the playoffs.
Rams 24
Lions. 20
