Tag: rams ravens

Rams vs. Ravens: 5 things to know for Week 12 matchup

Five important facts and stats to know for Monday night’s game.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Rams will face their toughest test of the season on Monday night when they take on the Baltimore Ravens at the Coliseum. Los Angeles needs a win to keep pace in the NFC playoff race, while Baltimore is trying to move closer to securing an AFC North crown.

This is a rare matchup between these two teams, but it’s sure to be an exciting one. There are ties all over the place, with Marcus Peters being traded by the Rams to the Ravens this year, Eric Weddle facing his former team, and Kenny Young playing against the team that traded him last month.

Here are five things to know for Monday’s showdown in Los Angeles.

Both defenses dominating since Ramsey, Peters trades

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Rams sent Marcus Peters to the Ravens before the trade deadline, acquiring Jalen Ramsey later on that day. They were both stunning moves, but the Rams and Ravens have each benefitted from the trades. Since Peters and Ramsey made their debuts in Week 7, the Rams and Ravens have elevated their play on defense significantly.

The Rams are first in points allowed (44) in their last four games, while the Ravens are second (56). The Rams’ point differential in that span is only plus-46, and Baltimore’s is plus-101 – 47 points better than the next-closest team.

The Ravens have allowed a passer rating of just 69.6 in their last four games, second-best in the NFL, and the Rams are seventh at 78.9.

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Rams call Ravens the best team, Lamar Jackson the best player in NFL

The Rams know just how tough this matchup with the Ravens will be.

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Having played four teams at or below .500 in their last four games, the Los Angeles Rams haven’t exactly been tested in recent weeks. They’ve gone 3-1 in that stretch, but the last playoff contender they faced was the 49ers in Week 6.

If they’re looking for a test – a measuring-stick game, if you will – they’ll get one on Monday night at the Coliseum. The Ravens are coming to town, being viewed by many as the best team in the league. They’ve won each of their last four games by at least 14 points, including victories over the Seahawks, Patriots and Texans.

The Rams know their next game is going to be a challenge, saying as much after their win over the Bears on Sunday. Eric Weddle tweeted his excitement over their Week 11 win, while simultaneously calling the Ravens the best team in the league.

Todd Gurley didn’t praise the Ravens to the extent that Weddle did – he did say “they’re looking like one of the best teams in the league – but he did throw a huge compliment Lamar Jackson’s way. He called the second-year quarterback the best player in the NFL right now and compared him to Michael Vick, who was at the Coliseum on Sunday.

“Best player in the league right now,” he told reporters. “He’s killing it. We had Vick here today and he’s the next thing closest to him. I mean, he’s amazing. Super proud of him.”

Clay Matthews was asked in the locker room if he’s excited to face Jackson on Monday night. His sarcastic response says everything you need to know about how he feels.

“Am I excited?” he said with a smile. “Any time you get to face an elite opponent, it’s not fun when they’re making plays against you, but it’s fun to have that opportunity to go against them, test your prowess and see who comes out on top. They’re playing very well, he’s playing outstanding and you’re right, obviously a front-runner in the MVP race.”

This will undoubtedly be the Rams’ toughest test yet, and they’re well aware of just how difficult an opponent the Ravens will be.

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Rams are home underdogs for first time in 2 years with Ravens visiting

The Ravens enter as 3.5-point road favorites, having won each of their last four games by at least 14 points.

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For just the second time all year, the Los Angeles Rams won’t be the betting favorites over their opponent. And for the first time since Week 17 of the 2017 season when the Rams rested their starters, they’re home underdogs.

That’s what happens when Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens come to town. According to BetMGM, the Ravens are 3.5-point road favorites over the Rams in Week 12, which is a Monday night matchup on Nov. 25.

This comes as no surprise, given the way each team’s season has gone. Yes, they’re only separated by two games in the overall standings, but the Ravens are second in the NFL in scoring margin (plus-14.5), while the Rams are seventh (plus-4.5).

Baltimore also ranks first in points scored, second in yards and first in rushing across the board. The defense is playing extremely well, too, ranking sixth in points against and 14th in yards. The Rams are 10th in points and yards allowed.

Baltimore has been absolutely dominant in its last four games, too. The Ravens have scored at least 30 points in each game, beating the Seahawks by 14 points, the Patriots by 17, the Bengals by 36 and Houston by 34.

The Rams have a fighting chance with the league’s fifth-ranked rush defense, also ranking second in yards per carry allowed. However, they haven’t faced a quarterback with the skill set that Jackson has, which makes this a daunting matchup for the Rams.

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