Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/wp-content/themes/flex-mag/functions.php on line 939
Notice: Trying to get property 'count' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/flex-mag/functions.php on line 1008
Share
Share
Share
Email
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Dallas Cowboys 30-22 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game on Saturday, January 12. That win did not come without lessons learned on the field. The Rams improved in areas where they were weak, and it showed against the Cowboys.
Continuing to capitalize on these improvements is imperative. The Rams need that momentum going to New Orleans in their hunt for the NFC championship.
Rushing success led the effort
The Rams running game is vital to their success. Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson proved this against the Cowboys. Gurley came back strong from injury with 115 yards on 16 carries, including 35-yard touchdown run.
Anderson pounded the Dallas defense with rocket-like power, scoring two touchdowns. His final run sealed the divisional win with a first down with only 1:44 left in the game. Anderson finished with 23 carries for 123 yards. Overall, the Rams totaled 273 rushing yards to the Cowboys’ 50. L.A. also averaged 5.7 yards per carry compared to Dallas’ 2.3 yards per carry.
Defensive Line Stepped Up and Contained
A big contributor to stopping the Cowboys’ running game was the Rams’ stalwart defensive line lead by Ndamukong Suh. Suh showed up in full force and produced perhaps his best game as a Ram while pressuring Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott. An “in the grasp” of his lineman sack on Prescott set the helped the Rams defense finish strong before the half.
They also contained Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot in the first half while jumping out to a 20-7 lead. Star defensive lineman Aaron Donald also had a big tackle on Elliot behind the line in the fourth quarter.
Marcus Peters is the weakest defensive link
Elliot scored on a 1-yard touchdown, but it was set up after a missed coverage assignment by Marcus Peters. Cowboys receiver Michael Gallup made a grab at the 1-yard line late in the third quarter after Peters broke off his route.
Peters showed himself to be a huge liability on the Rams defense. He needs to stick to his assignments and only try to make big plays if they come to him. Peters possesses great potential. He made a spectacular tackle behind the line immediately following a missed coverage play, but he will have his hands full if assigned to cover Saints receiver Michael Thomas. Sticking tight to Thomas is a must on Sunday.
Offensive line protected Goff the entire game
Rams quarterback Jared Goff struggled at times against the Cowboys, but his offensive line performed well in front of him. This is a huge improvement from their previous losses to the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles.
The win marked the third straight improved performance from the Rams offensive line. The line gave Goff plenty of time to throw, and he used that time to connect with Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods. Goff even ran for a first down at 1:54 left in the fourth quarter, which eventually set up Anderson’s final first down run.
Red zone attack needs improvement
The Rams’ red zone issues aren’t new. These problems seem to be the one flaw with the potent Los Angeles offense. This was the case against the Cowboys, and L.A. had to settle for two field goals by Greg Zuerlein in the first half. McVay may need to stick to the ground game once in the red zone. His offense features two running backs that are more than capable of getting the tough yards inside the 20.
What’s next?
The win over the Cowboys showed what happens when the Rams are fundamentally strong on both offense and defense. There were secondary mishaps on coverage plays, but Los Angeles has proved that their defensive front line plays a major role in their success. Against the New Orleans, Jared Goff will need his offensive line to continue the strong pass protection giving him the necessary time to hit his receivers. The running attack from Anderson and Gurley will be a major factor as well.
The Rams’ last playoff game win was in 2005. Now they have a chance to make franchise
history as the NFC Champion Los Angeles Rams for the first time since
1980. If they garner that title, then it
is on to Super Bowl LVIII against either the New England Patriots or the Kansas
City Chiefs.
Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/wp-content/themes/flex-mag/functions.php on line 939
Notice: Trying to get property 'count' of non-object in /var/www/wp-content/themes/flex-mag/functions.php on line 1008
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Dallas Cowboys 30-22 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game on Saturday, January 12. That win did not come without lessons learned on the field. The Rams improved in areas where they were weak, and it showed against the Cowboys.
Continuing to capitalize on these improvements is imperative. The Rams need that momentum going to New Orleans in their hunt for the NFC championship.
Rushing success led the effort
The Rams running game is vital to their success. Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson proved this against the Cowboys. Gurley came back strong from injury with 115 yards on 16 carries, including 35-yard touchdown run.
Anderson pounded the Dallas defense with rocket-like power, scoring two touchdowns. His final run sealed the divisional win with a first down with only 1:44 left in the game. Anderson finished with 23 carries for 123 yards. Overall, the Rams totaled 273 rushing yards to the Cowboys’ 50. L.A. also averaged 5.7 yards per carry compared to Dallas’ 2.3 yards per carry.
Defensive Line Stepped Up and Contained
A big contributor to stopping the Cowboys’ running game was the Rams’ stalwart defensive line lead by Ndamukong Suh. Suh showed up in full force and produced perhaps his best game as a Ram while pressuring Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott. An “in the grasp” of his lineman sack on Prescott set the helped the Rams defense finish strong before the half.
They also contained Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot in the first half while jumping out to a 20-7 lead. Star defensive lineman Aaron Donald also had a big tackle on Elliot behind the line in the fourth quarter.
Marcus Peters is the weakest defensive link
Elliot scored on a 1-yard touchdown, but it was set up after a missed coverage assignment by Marcus Peters. Cowboys receiver Michael Gallup made a grab at the 1-yard line late in the third quarter after Peters broke off his route.
Peters showed himself to be a huge liability on the Rams defense. He needs to stick to his assignments and only try to make big plays if they come to him. Peters possesses great potential. He made a spectacular tackle behind the line immediately following a missed coverage play, but he will have his hands full if assigned to cover Saints receiver Michael Thomas. Sticking tight to Thomas is a must on Sunday.
Offensive line protected Goff the entire game
Rams quarterback Jared Goff struggled at times against the Cowboys, but his offensive line performed well in front of him. This is a huge improvement from their previous losses to the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles.
The win marked the third straight improved performance from the Rams offensive line. The line gave Goff plenty of time to throw, and he used that time to connect with Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods. Goff even ran for a first down at 1:54 left in the fourth quarter, which eventually set up Anderson’s final first down run.
Red zone attack needs improvement
The Rams’ red zone issues aren’t new. These problems seem to be the one flaw with the potent Los Angeles offense. This was the case against the Cowboys, and L.A. had to settle for two field goals by Greg Zuerlein in the first half. McVay may need to stick to the ground game once in the red zone. His offense features two running backs that are more than capable of getting the tough yards inside the 20.
What’s next?
The win over the Cowboys showed what happens when the Rams are fundamentally strong on both offense and defense. There were secondary mishaps on coverage plays, but Los Angeles has proved that their defensive front line plays a major role in their success. Against the New Orleans, Jared Goff will need his offensive line to continue the strong pass protection giving him the necessary time to hit his receivers. The running attack from Anderson and Gurley will be a major factor as well.
The Rams’ last playoff game win was in 2005. Now they have a chance to make franchise history as the NFC Champion Los Angeles Rams for the first time since 1980. If they garner that title, then it is on to Super Bowl LVIII against either the New England Patriots or the Kansas City Chiefs.
Recommended for you