The Rams will face their toughest test yet on Monday night when the Baltimore Ravens come to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It’s a prime-time matchup between two teams that are at very different points in their season.
The Ravens are trying to lock up an AFC North title in the next few weeks, while the Rams are simply trying to survive in the NFC playoff race. They need this win more than Baltimore, but the Ravens are rolling and have won six straight.
Here are the Rams’ three biggest causes for concern against a red-hot Ravens squad.
Containing Lamar Jackson
Jackson is a headache for every opposing defense and coaching staff. Wade Phillips said it himself, adding that he’d have white hair from preparing to face the Ravens if he didn’t already. Jackson is the cog that makes this engine go, and he’s truly one of the most dangerous players in the NFL right now.
Commit to stopping the run and he’ll throw accurately all over the field. Drop back and play extra defenders in coverage and he’ll dominate as a runner. With Jackson, it’s about picking your poison, and neither is a good choice.
The Rams have to be worried about keeping him at bay because so few teams have been able to do that. They do have good athleticism and speed all over the defense, but Jackson is a different player than the quarterback they face twice a year in Russell Wilson.