NFL
By: George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams return to SoFi Stadium this Sunday as they take on the Detroit Lions and former Rams quarterback Jared Goff. The Rams, leading the NFC West and currently the #1 seed in the NFC, are looking to make it two straight wins coming off an impressive 45-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The Lions, fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, look to make it two straight wins following their 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys. This game has the makings of being a high-scoring game as both teams have explosive offenses.
The Rams bounced back following their disappointing loss to Carolina. Quarterback Matthew Stafford passed for 281 yards with 3 touchdowns in leading the offensive attack against the Cardinals. Stafford was able to get more receivers involved in the passing attack, as 9 different receivers had at least 1 reception. Puka Nacua, having been relatively quiet in recent games, was back to his old self as he led the way with 7 receptions for 167 yards and 2 touchdowns. Nacua can be a matchup problem for defenses as he can stretch the field on long passes, as well as make the tough catches over the middle in tight coverage. Teaming up with Davante Adams, who leads the NFL in touchdown receptions, Rams head coach Sean McVay has a formidable 1-2 WR duo that gives the opposing defenses headaches. The Rams are facing a Lions defense that has allowed 221 passing yards per game and will look to test the Lions’ secondary. The Rams’ offensive line, which played one of its finest games of the season against Arizona, will face a tough Lions pass rush. Led by Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions have recorded 37 sacks this season and will look to put pressure on Stafford.
The Rams’ running game had its best performance of the season against Arizona, rushing for 249 yards. RB Blake Corum led the way with 128 yards on 12 carries with 2 touchdowns. Kyren Williams added 84 on 13 carries with a touchdown. The Lions’ defense has allowed 103 rushing yards per game. Look for Coach McVay to establish the running game early to keep the Lions defense honest. The Rams have gone with a 3 tight end formation in recent games and expect to use the formation against Detroit. With the running game established, Stafford will be able to go to play-action passes, a staple in McVay’s offense.
The Lions’ offense is led by Jared Goff. On the season, Goff has passed for 3334 yards with 26 touchdowns and 5 interceptions while completing 70% of passes. WR Amon-Ra St Brown leads the Lions receivers with 81 receptions for 976 and 9 touchdowns. St Brown is the Lions’ version of Puka Nacua and is Goff’s most trusted receiver. Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula will look to devise a game plan to limit the productivity of St Brown. While the Rams will focus on St Brown, they cannot overlook WR Jameson Williams. Playing opposite St Brown, Williams has 45 receptions for 802 yards and 6 touchdowns. Williams is the Lions’ deep ball threat as he has tremendous speed and will look to stretch the field. TE Sam LaPorta will be a key factor in the Lions’ passing attack. The Rams will look to use their safeties to help cover LaPorta. The Lions offense likes to use their running backs in the passing game, as Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have contributed 58 and 21 receptions, respectively.
Gibbs leads the Lions’ running game, rushing for 1062 this season. Montgomery, Gibbs’ primary backup up has added 603 rushing yards. As a team, the Lions average 138 rushing yards per game and will look to establish the running game against a Rams defense that allows 103 rushing yards per game. The Lions should be expected to study the game film of the Rams game against Carolina to see what worked for the Panthers as they rushed for 164 yards against the Rams’ defense. Establishing the running game will be a key for the Lions as they do not want to become one-dimensional and allow the Rams’ pass rush, led by Jared Verse and Byron Young, to pin their ears back and go after Goff. The Rams’ interior defensive linemen cannot allow themselves to be turned by the Lions’ offensive line. If they do, it will open up inside running lanes for Gibbs and Montgomery. The edge rushers need to maintain outside leverage and take away the outside rushing lanes and force the Lions running backs to the inside towards the defensive pursuit.
This game has the makings of being a high-scoring game as both offenses can explode for big plays at any time during the game. The Lions are looking to keep their playoff hopes alive and will use everything in their offensive playbook to catch the Rams defense off guard. The Rams are looking to keep their lead in a competitive NFC West as well as the #1 seed in the NFC. The Rams will look to continue to use the balanced offensive attack that has worked for them all season. In the end, look for the Rams to make it two straight wins in an exciting game against the Lions.
