The Los Angeles Rams face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18. Matthew Stafford and Brock Purdy are rested. has a bit of a preseason feel to it with two division rivals. Carson Wentz faces Sam Darnold. But that doesn’t mean the Rams won’t still try to win. Here are five keys to winning against the 49ers.
1. Use offense effectively
The Rams rest Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Kyren Williams on the offensive side of the ball. This is a big opportunity for guys like Carson Wentz, Zach Evans and Royce Freeman. As the Rams rest the keys, the offensive line is sounding. Sean McVay on Friday
said that “Carson (Wentz) obviously can play behind our offensive line and then I think it gives those quarterbacks an opportunity to get more opportunities than they otherwise would if Kyren were to go. It also gives our tight ends an opportunity. if Higbee is gone, well, let’s see how Davis Allen continues. Then we get more opportunities for Tutu with receiver Puka (Nacua) and Demarcus Robinson.
Mostly outside of Stafford, Cup and Williams, the Rams offense is at full strength. Wentz has been in Los Angeles for nearly half the season. Can he commit a crime? Freeman and Evans will get a chance to show what they can do in the running game. If Wentz shows he can run the offense, he could earn a backup role behind Stafford next season.
2. Play Opportunistic Defense
49ers rest Brock Purdy on offense, leaving Sam Darnold at quarterback. Darnold is a quarterback with a tendency to hurt the ball or overact, leading to many turnovers and negative plays. Even without Donald and Jones playing, the defense must be opportunistic and try to create opportunities for the offense.
In this game, the Rams should have a chance to get the ball or change the game. It’s important to be ready for that moment and make the play happen. The Rams defense has committed just 14 turnovers this season, which is 30th in the NFL. That has to change with the rest of the season in mind.
3. Saving in the secondary
When it comes to playing the 49ers, it’s always a secondary game. When these two teams play, San Francisco’s big plays tend to come when the Rams can’t get it done against the defense. That was the case early in the season with touchdowns by Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey.
With Donald and Jones out, the Rams start the defense down the field. Quentin Lake played well in the back half of the season and Ahkello Witherspoon is a physical presence at cornerback. The Rams’ defensive backs will have to show they’re ready to take it, as the 49ers will test them.
4. Exit Game Healthy
Key starters rested for this game The goal for the Rams is clear, and that is to stay healthy as they continue into the postseason. While a win is important for ranking and bragging rights against a division rival, that doesn’t appear to be the Rams’ priority this week. McVay said this week,
“There’s a couple of layers and when you look at it, we felt like that was the best approach for our group. You want to see guys compete and do well, but that’s how we felt. . . I know , what can happen.. .everything happens and you think you know, but you just don’t, do you? All that said, it really didn’t seem like the other side was trying to do anything to preserve Sixth or the knowledge that you could have been seventh, was the best for our team
The Rams’ goal in this game is to stay healthy in the postseason. We already know some of the inactives, but we can see how the Rams will handle other key players like Rob Havenstein, who would be a tough loss if he doesn’t make the postseason. A
5. Hope For a Bears Win Against Packers
Although the Rams may not be playing straight from the sixth seed, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter. The Rams are 4-2 in six games since the introduction of the new playoff format, and the Rams have won as many as six players in 2020. Meanwhile, seven seeds have never won a playoff game. If the Rams are a seven seed, that likely means a matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. The second round against the Cowboys would be different than the first. Rob Havenstein would line up this time, as would Kyren Williams. Regardless, the Rams won’t fare well against Dallas.
The Rams can lose and still get a six seed. However, this means the Chicago Bears have to win at Lambeau Field for the first time since 2015. The Bears have been hot lately, but are they a team that can be trusted? A six seed would likely send the Rams to Detroit. Outside of the Philadelphia Eagles, this is the game LA wants ... stories aside..
