worldwide ramsDoug Nelson  Overview: This is not quite a must-win for the Rams, but it is very close to being a "must play a well game." We'll be blunt here—the Rams have been el stinko the last two games. They've been getting overwhelmed by the Tennessee Titans and the San Francisco 49ers. One more dismal performance similar to those two games will be serious questions about how valid the 2021 Los Angeles Rams are. Let's say that again for emphasis—serious questions. If the Rams play well and lose on a last-second field goal, 24-23—OK, you don't like losing, but that's football. These are the Green Bay Packers, one of the best teams in the NFL; It happens. Such a loss will probably eliminate any chance the Rams have at the NFC West division title, but they are alive and well to fight another day, albeit it may be as a wild card team come playoff time. Tampa Bay went that route last year and snagged a Lombardi Trophy. But if they get pulverized, say 35-10, and get beaten physically—again--then maybe the time will have come to admit the Rams aren't all that. Of course, you still play out the schedule to the best of your ability. We fans will continue to cheer on our team. But any illusions of a home Super Bowl game in 2022 will be on life support.  Rams Offense vs. Packers Defense: This matchup isn't JUST about scoring points, although they need to do that to win. But Matthew Stafford can't keep throwing stupid picks either. The Rams gave up three draft choices—including two number ones—and a starting quarterback who was a former first overall pick not to get Jared Goff-style turnovers. The problem is that after looking like an MVP candidate, Stafford has started looking like, well, Jared Goff. And we don't mean the good Jared Goff who once outdueled Patrick Mahomes in a nationally-televised shootout on the way to a Super Bowl. We suggest the bad Jared Goff from, say, 2020. Or the Jared Goff who currently resides in Detroit. For whatever reason, in two consecutive games, Stafford has given opponents touchdowns with "what was he thinking" pass attempts that turned into points for the opponent. That needs to end. Enough on that, but it needed to be said. On the plus side, the Rams should have had enough time to integrate Orlando Beckham Jr. into the offensive game plan. It wasn't that long ago that OBJ was considered an elite player, maybe the best wide receiver in the game. Suppose he can be even 80 percent of that guy going forward. It will give the Rams a big-play, explosive-type weapon who can be a real game-changer. It will also keep the Packers from going all-out to neutralize Cooper Kupp, who's having a monster season, probably the best of any receiver in the NFL. Speaking of Kupp, he'll likely be seeing a lot of Packers cornerback Chandon Sullivan, who lies typically up against the opposing slot receiver. On paper, this is a significant advantage to the Rams, but you have to figure that Green Bay will try to get Sullivan some help. The rookie corner isn't a good bet to shut down Kupp one-on-one. The Packers expected to be without cornerback Kevin King as of Saturday afternoon, which doesn't help. But the Packers need to limit Kupp at least to win this game. Green Bay is also without corner Jaire Alexander, who would probably see a lot of Kupp if he was healthy. Overall, you have to like Ram's chances against this banged-up secondary. Of course, if Green Bay can follow San Francisco's lead and eat up the clock with long drives on offense, that advantage will shrink considerably. Upfront, the Rams interior line needs to contain Packers tackle Kenny Clark. Interior pressure is more disruptive than edge pressure, and if Clark is in Stafford's face all day, this could get ugly. The weather forecast in Green Bay is for temps in the 20s and 30s. Not Southern California weather, but not the kind of thing that will ground the Rams offense either. You could make an argument that the Rams should go ground and pound if only to keep Rodgers on the sidelines. But McVay doesn't seem inclined to go that route this season, for whatever reason. That could change on Sunday, especially with two weeks to tweak on offense sputtering recently. It's possible, but based on what we've seen this season, we wouldn't bet the farm on it. Whether McVay doesn't trust running backs Darrel Henderson and Sony Michel or if it's just a matter of being in love with the passing game or if it something else entirely, it just doesn't seem likely to happen. Suppose Stafford can avoid bad decisions making which plagued him the last two weeks. If the Ram defense does its part not allowing long, clock-killing drives ( like the Niners used a couple of weeks ago), the Rams should put up points against a banged-up Packer defense. Those are big ifs. However, we are going to check this box for the Rams. Edge: Rams  Rams Defense vs. Packers Offense: Green Bay will be without 60 percent of its starting offensive line in this game. Tackle David Bakhtiari and guard Elgton Jenkins are all-pro caliber players. Jenkins, before last week, had moved to tackle and was doing a credible job of replacing Bakhtiari. Center Josh Myers is also out. Through last week the Packers reserves had been playing pretty well stepping into the starting roles, but the loss of Jenkins will test that depth further. Asking bench players to step in and take on people like Aaron Donald and Von Miller is asking a lot. Aaron Rodgers seemed to indicate this week that the Packers may go smashmouth with a run-heavy offense. That strategy certainly worked for San Francisco a couple of weeks ago, and the Rams in that game showed little ability to adjust. Rams DC Raheem Morris needs to develop some effective run-defense strategies for his job security, and the Rams hopes of snagging a Lombardi Trophy. The Packers run game will probably center around A.J.Dillon, a 250-pound bulldozer of a back who epitomizes the power running game. As written, it's not clear whether Aaron Jones—the lightning in the Packer's thunder and lightning running attack will play, or if so, how much. Either way, the Rams defense has to step up against the run. They blatantly failed to do that against San Francisco, and a similar failure this week could be fatal. In this entire game, that is probably THE number one thing the Rams need to do. Right now, they are getting the reputation of a soft, finesse team that can bully with a strong running game. That simply HAS to change, or we can probably write off the 2021 Rams as any Super Bowl threat. One of the marquee matchups in this game will be Packers wideout Davante Adams vs. Rams corner Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey hasn't necessarily locked down the other team's best receiver regularly this season, but we expect to see at least a fair number of these two going at it in this game. That will be worth the price of admission on its own, as it may well put the game's best receiver against the game's best cover corner. By now, most people know about Aaron Rodgers and his toe injury. The bad toe didn't stop Rodgers from putting up good numbers in a loss to the Vikings last week, but it could limit his mobility. It did keep him off the practice field in preparation for this game this week. But how much practice does he need with this offense at this stage? Probably not much. There are many x-factors in this matchup, and the chances of the Packers going run-heavy given the Rodgers injury, the injuries up front, and a fierce Rams pass rush seem pretty good. On paper, the Rams have the edge here, but only if they can at least keep the Packer running game in check. That's a massive unknown in this game, so that we will rate this as a tossup. Edge: Even  Special Teams: The Ram's special teams have shown gradual improvement over the season but remain a concern. Placekicking for the Packer's Mason Crosby is much like serving in the Navy—it's not just a job, it's an adventure. Crosby can be outstanding at times; at others, you wonder how he stays employed. We like the matchup of the Rams Matt Gay vs. Crosby. But the Rams can't seem to settle on a reliable set of return men. We still aren't fans of Kupp running back punts, but it seems to keep happening on an intermittent basis, if only because of the lack of a natural alternative. Edge: Packers Coaching: We still Like the matchup of Sean McVay vs. his former assistant, Matt LaFleur.
But Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and special teams coach Joe DeCamillis are probably coaching for their jobs. As a Wyoming person, I hate to speak ill of University of Wyoming alum DeCamillis, but the truth is the truth. We will check the box for the Rams here, but the Packer's edge among assistants makes this very close to a tossup. Edge: Rams, by the smallest possible margin. Final Prediction: This game is a real puzzler. We don't know how good the 2021 Rams are at this point. We should have a better idea by the time this one is in the books. Likewise, the Packers are a banged-up group, and injuries along the offensive line and in the secondary are troubling from their point of view. The usual Green Bay home-field advantage is still somewhat in play this time of year, but the typical 'tundra" is not a factor. Oddsmakers have gone from favoring Green Bay by one to the Rams by two. Almost anything could happen in this game, from an ugly blowout in either direction to a real nail-biter. Our advice if you are thinking of betting on this game is "don't. But we have to make a prediction, so here it is: Rams 24 Packers 23
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worldwide ramsDoug Nelson  Rams vs. 49ers Preview Overview: These are complex games to predict. On paper, the Rams have a better team and should win. But that was the case in both 2020 matchups of these traditional rivals, yet the San Francisco 49ers came away with two victories. They have won four in a row, and some think the Niners match up well in these games, regardless of the records. Some believe that the Niners coach Kyle Shanahan has the magic bullet when beating his old friend and former assistant, Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay. We do not believe that, but the records in these games the last couple of years certainly don't disapprove of that idea. Two other factors are worth mentioning. First of all, the Niners have their backs to the wall, playoff-wise. The division is probably outside of their grasp, but if they have a real shot at even a wildcard slot, this is almost a must-win game for them. The other factor that is hard to measure here is the loss of Rams wide receiver Robert Woods. "Bobby Trees," as he is sometimes known, is not only an excellent wide receiver, but he is in many ways the heart and soul of the Rams, along with players such as Aaron Donald, Andrew Whitworth, and Matthew Stafford. He epitomizes the "We Not Me" attitude that coach McVay preaches. His replacement, Odell Beckham Junior, doesn't exactly bring that kind of reputation to L.A.. although, in fairness, he has yet to take a snap as a Ram.  Rams Offense vs. Niners Defense: Despite the generally disappointing performance for the Niners in 2021, most problems have not been on this side of the ball. San Francisco is 8th in the league in yards per game, and they have been giving up 25 points per game so far this season. The points total is a little higher than you would like, but it isn't terrible. They still have Nick Bosa, a pass-rushing terror from his edge rusher position, and Fred Warner is an elite linebacker by any measurement. The Rams offense is coming off an abysmal performance against Tennessee Titans, one in which the previously-excellent L.A. offensive line got whipped badly on passing downs in particular. That allowed the Titans to rush four and drop seven into coverage. You can bet that San Francisco was taking notes on that defensive strategy. Did the Ram's offensive line have a terrible game, or are they that bad? Give the Titans some credit, but our opinion is that it was more the former than the latter. It had better be because if the Rams O-line is that bad, the outlook for this team is pretty grim. Another concern upfront is the possible absence of center Brian Allen for the Rams. The chemistry between the quarterback and center shouldn't be underestimated, especially for a team that operates from the shotgun as often as the Rams do. Hopefully, the extra day of rest for the Rams will help Allen get on the field. One of the key matchups will involve Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth against defensive end Nick Bosa. As bad as the Rams O-line was last week, Whitworth didn't play bad, probably the only Rams O-lineman of whom that could be said. He will need to contain Bosa throughout the game. The Rams hope to take advantage of cornerback K'waun Williams, who will probably see a lot of Cooper Kupp in this game. Williams hasn't been great this season, and on paper, that matchup will favor the Rams. But, with the loss of Woods and OBJ still learning the dynamics of the offense, the Niners have a better opportunity to double up on Kupp. Speaking of OBJ, he will reunite with an old friend in Niners cornerback Josh Norman, assuming Beckham gets significant snaps. Norman is not the player he once was, but whether OBJ will see enough action to take advantage of a declining Norman remains to be seen. McVay has said that OBJ will play, but having been on the team less than a week would imply he won't be on the field all that much. Then again, McVay may well dial-up some plays designed explicitly for Beckam and use him as a decoy on other downs. So, we shall see the outcome of his presence because someone has to take the defensive focus off of Kupp. Which is another reason the Woods injury is devastating with this offense. Every week we wonder if the Rams won't go smashmouth and run the ball more. But whether it's a lack of confidence in the Rams running game or simply a case of McVay wanting to throw the ball, it never seems to occur. L.A. has thrown the ball 65 percent of the time so far this season. The Niner's banged-up secondary, that trend probably will continue on Monday night. We will check this box for the Rams with the idea that they bounce back from last week's dreadful performance, but this is a Niners defense that is still capable of playing well despite injuries. Edge: Rams  Rams Defense vs. Niners' offense: The Niners are a solid 13th in offensive yardage this season but only averages 18 points per game. Part of the problem is that they have not run the ball very consistently. In recent years, Raheem Mostert has been something of a "Ram Killer" is done for the season and replaced by rookie running back Elijah Mitchell. Mitchell has been their feature back; however, he has been up and down with injuries. He's rushed for 469 yards in eight games, averaging about 55 yards per game. The general thinking around the league is that Ram's defense is weaker against the run than the pass. It will be interesting to see if the Niners try to expose that theory. The disappointment of the 49ers season has been one positive of Deebo Samuel, who has been outstanding at wide receiver. He's second to Cooper Kupp in reception yardage and will match up with Jalen Ramsey, one of the marquee matchups in this game. The Niners will be missing right-tackle Mike McGlinchey, generally expected, but not confident that Von Miller will make his Ram's debut. A pass rush that features Aaron Donald, Miller, and Leonard Floyd would challenge any offense. Even without Miller, the Rams lead the NFL with 28 quarterback sacks. The 49ers may have the NFL's best tight-end not named Travis Kelce in George Kittle. He could be a safety valve if the Niners go to a short passing game to counter the expected fierce pass rush. The Rams miss safety John Johnson, who used to draw Kittle in most coverages. The 49ers quarterback situation is somewhat confusing. Most around the league consider starter Jimmy Garoppolo to be "just a guy." Jimmy is comparable to an Andy Dalton or maybe even to "Big" Ben Roethlisberger at this stage in Rothlisberger's career. Players won't kill you if they are your starter, but not someone who can carry a team either. San Francisco sold the farm to move up to overall number three selection to draft Trey Lance from North Dakota State. Lance hadn't played much, and when he did play, he had less-than-stellar action in place of an injured Jimmy G. That's a little unusual in today's NFL, where the prevailing philosophy seems to be to get highly drafted rookie quarterbacks in the game sooner rather than later. Shanahan has also been less than enthusiastic about Lance in some of his comments to the media. That's all San Francisco's problem, and barring injury, we expect to see Jimmy G for most or all of the snaps on Monday night. Edge: Rams  Special Teams: The Ram's special teams weren't awful last week, which is progress for the 2021 Rams. There is talk that the Rams may use OBJ as a punt returner. We always have injury concerns about using key offensive players as return men. But on the other hand, it might inject some life into a problematic area of the team's return game. All of that aside, the Niners get the advantage here. Edge: Niners Coaching: Typically, this is an automatic edge for the Rams. But given Shanahan's success and seemingly magical powers against the Rams in recent years—and his track record against McVay—we are going a different direction this time.
Hey, we have to be honest here, and the track record argues for Kyle Shanahan. We hope McVay proves us wrong! Edge: Niners. Final prediction: The oddsmakers had the Rams as an only four-point favorite even before the Woods injury. The battle between the North vs. South is a pretty even matchup between the two teams. But we are Rams fans, and we refuse to predict a San Francisco win. There are just some things we won't do. Rams 30, Niners 27 worldwide ramsDoug Nelson  Rams vs.Titans Overview: Both teams are a little banged up for this game, but the Titan's loss of running back Derrick Henry is by far the most significant injury. He's probably the best running back in the NFL right now, and losing him throws the Titan's offense into unknown territory. But in one sense, it complicates things for the Rams defense as well. When Henry is active, he's the centerpiece for their offense, the one player you need to stop. Without him, do they try to win on the arm of Ryan Tannehill? Do they rely on 36-year-old Adrian Peterson to step in for Henry and remain the "ground and pound" attack? Maybe a little of both? Only the Titans know for sure, and they aren't saying.  Titans Offense vs. Rams Defense: Rams fans were expecting to see the debut of linebacker Von Miller may—or may not—have to wait until next week. Miller listed as questionable according to the previous report with an ankle injury, and coach Sean McVay said whether he will play remains a "game-time decision.'" Even if Miller does play, he's had virtually no practice time with his new team, so we probably can't expect him to play a huge role. The loss of Titan's Henry is a huge deal; as the former Alabama running back was on a historic pace, the Titans signed Adrian Peterson as his replacement. Peterson, in his prime, was close to Henry in terms of running ability. At 36 and just off the street, it's probably asking too much of the former Minnesota Vikings star to step in and replace Henry without missing a beat. The Titans may also be missing two other vital pieces, left tackle Taylor Lewan and receiver A.J. Brown, who are both listed as questionable. We guess he will play, but how much their injuries may affect their performance is anyone's guess. For the Rams, Jalen Ramsey and inside linebacker Earnest Jones are questionable. As of Sunday morning, Ramsey appeared likely to play, but Jones is uncertain. He got the game ball last week after stepping in for the traded Kenny Young and having an outstanding game. If the Titans remain a run-oriented offense, not having Jones on the field could be a problem for the Rams, especially with the loss of nose tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, who is out for this game and maybe the season with a pectoral injury. With Henry out, the Titans' offensive line may—and we emphasize the word may—be called on to do more pass blocking, which is not their strong suit. Even before getting Von Miller, the Rams were leading the NFL with 25 quarterback sacks. In particular, Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd live in the opposing team's backfield, and the Titans perhaps having a limited version of Taylor Lewan at left tackle doesn't help matters. All of the injuries in this game make it tough to focus on possible headline matchups. However, Ramsey against Brown or Julio Jones might be attractive, assuming Ramsey and Brown play. Jones only has 17 catches thus far this season, but the Henry and (possibly) Brown injuries could make him the focal point of the offense. Ramsey did well against Jones the last time the two squared off when Jones was still with the Falcons a couple of years ago. The Rams are expecting to get cornerback Darious Williams back from the injured reserve. Williams is one of the best number two corners in the league, so his return is expected to be huge. If Henry was in the lineup, we might give Tennessee the edge here since the Rams run defense has not been outstanding so far. Without him, we think the advantage goes over to the Rams. But there are so many unknowns and questionable in this game that it's hard to be too confident, especially if Ramsey ends up not playing (we don't think that will happen). Edge: Rams  Rams Offense vs. Titans Defense: Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford missed a couple of days of practice with back stiffness this week, is expected to play. If he either doesn't or isn't himself, all predictions for this game go right out the window. We don't wish for that to occur, however. The Rams Cooper Kupp is having a historic season and is arguably the best receiver in the NFL right now. You really should be hearing his name in the MVP conversation, although wide receivers don't often take those honors. Despite not being overly fast, Kupp always seems to get open and catches everything thrown in his direction. He also has incredible chemistry with Stafford. Robert Woods and Van Jefferson are no slouch either. Woods has a knack for making the big catch, and Jefferson is emerging as a deep threat to the point that the Rams let burner DeSean Jackson go this week. There are questions about the Rams four and five receivers, with Jackson gone and Tutu Atwell—who had been something of a disappointment despite—out. College tight end Jacob Harris may be deployed as a wide receiver. He's big and fast—4.39 in the 40-yard dash—but he wasn't even seeing much time at tight end for the Rams, so playing at a new position and expecting him to excel may be asking a lot. The Rams also have rookie Ben Skowronek and J.J. Koski on the roster. But Skowronek is a former 7thh round draft choice who lacks speed, and Koski is a former undrafted free agent promoted from the practice squad. You never know, but on paper, those guys certainly don't scare anyone. The Titans defense has an emerging star in the defensive end, Harold Landry, who has 8.5 sacks. The Rams offensive line has been stellar this season, allowing the fewest sacks in the NFL. Containing Landry and giving Stafford time to find his receivers downfield will be critical in this contest. Other Titans standouts include linebacker David Long and safeties Kevin Baird and Amani Hooker. Former Ram Janoris Jenkins is among the Titans corners. Although he probably is not the player he once was. Rookie Caleb Farley may be called up to shutdown Kupp, possibly with some help from Baird or Hooker. The Titan's defense receives help from a ball-control offense that limits their time on the field. Their defense is ranked 23 overall and may not have the luxury of staying off the field for most of the game this week, as might be the case if Henry was playing. Landry could be a game wrecker if he goes on a tear, but overall, this matchup favors the Rams, at least on paper. Edge: Rams  Special Teams: Neither of these teams has necessarily been excellent on special teams, but it's a more significant issue for Los Angeles. Punter Johnny Hekker has been solid, and kicker Matt Gay has been good outside of one game early in the season. But the coverage and return units are problem areas. We aren't fans of seeing Cooper Kupp returning punts. First and foremost, we hate to risk him getting injured. Secondly, while he is sure-handed, he hasn't shown much juice as a returner. But former return men Atwell and Jackson aren't options at this point, so that Kupp may end up back there by default. The Rams special teams were embarrassed by the Lions—yes, the Lions—a couple of weeks ago, seemingly falling asleep on a pair of fake punts and an onside kick. At this point, we can expect every Rams opponent to at least consider some razzle-dazzle on special teams. The special team's play remains problematic for the Rams, their only team glaring weakness. EDGE: Titans Coaching: Sean McVay vs. Mike Vrable, Vrable has coached his team to a 6-2 record, and his association with Bill Belichick may yet assert itself. But we're going to check this box for the Rams.
Edge: Rams Final Prediction: If it weren't for the Henry injury, this game would be a marquee matchup, maybe even a Super Bowl preview. The Rams are favored; a touchdown favors the Rams. You never know with the Rams, who have a disturbing tendency to play to the level of their opponent, as witnessed by the Lions game a couple of weeks ago, that ended up being far closer than it should have been. The Rams also are vulnerable on special teams and have enough injuries of their own to make this game a bit of a wild card. But all we can do is look at the numbers and the matchups. And those point to a comfortable Rams win. Rams 31 Titans 24 worldwide ramsDoug Nelson  Rams vs.Texans Overview: On paper, this seems like 15.5 points favor a mismatch the Los Angeles, and the Texans are, well, not good. They come in at 1-6 and on a 6-game losing streak. Easily their best player, quarterback DeShaun Watson, is caught in a never-never land of legal issues and ongoing trade talks that never actually seem to go anywhere. He has not played all year and will not on Sunday. Having said all of that, you never know about the Rams. They have a disturbing tendency to play to the level of the competition. Such as losing to an 0-12 Jets team last year. Or even last week's win against a winless Lions team that played hard and used special teams trickery to keep what should have been a blowout game interesting for about three quarters. The Rams should win this game easily. But this is the NFL, and you can never be sure.  Rams Offense Vs. Texans Defense: For all of the wailing and gnashing of teeth among fans about the supposed ineptness of the Rams defense, the numbers say they aren't actually all that bad. 7th in the league in points allowed, tenth in total defense. The DVOA (Defense Adjusted Value Over Average] rankings going into this week had them third in the NFL. The perception that they are "terrible" probably developed by two things: A truly offensive showing on national television against the Cardinals earlier this season and a general tendency among some fans to expect perfection on every play in every game.
It just doesn't work that way, of course, but fans will be fans. That is not to say there aren't some areas that need improvement, especially the run defense, where the Rams are a mediocre 15th in the league. This week will mark the debut of the rookie third-round draft selection Ernest Jones as a starting inside linebacker. Jones replaces the traded starting linebacker, Kenny Young. Jones is an innovative, hard-nosed player, but he's not known for his athleticism or skills in coverage, so we'll see what develops. The Rams coaches seem to like him a lot more than the scouts ever did. The whole Young trade is just mystifying, especially since Young was a defensive standout, and the other inside 'backer, Troy Reeder, has not been great. Reeder makes some plays, but an inside linebacker duo of Reeder and Jones certainly raises some questions in terms of athleticism. Reeder and Jones sort of sound like a law firm—let's hope they can lay down the law to opposing offenses. Honestly, we aren't so sure about that. The Texans will start rookie quarterback Davis Mills this Sunday against the Rams. He has had his moments, but he's no comparison to DeShaun Watson. He's probably not even Tyrod Taylor, who would be starting for Houston if he wasn't injured. This week, Texans coach David Culley said that no matter what happens, Houston will not let Aaron Donald wreck his offense. Translation: expect two or three blockers on AD on every play. That's nothing new, but it should allow guys like Terrell Lewis and Leonard Floyd to have some chances to wreak havoc. The Rams are dealing with some injuries with cornerback Robert Rochelle, and nose tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day are out. Joseph-Day, in particular, has been playing well, so that could be of some concern. Houston this week traded away their most productive running back, Mark Ingram, sending him back to New Orleans Saints. Even with Ingram, Houston was averaging only 80 yards rushing per game. They are a little better through the air at 209 yards per game, but it would appear that Houston can't win a shootout with the Rams. Houston is 30th in total offense, so their winning formula probably involves a low-scoring game with some Ram turnovers, and maybe a couple of big plays on special teams, like Detroit got last week. Edge: Rams Rams Offense vs. Texans Defense: For some reason, the Rams have been prone to slow starts all season, which Coach McVay has commented on and is not pleased with the play. Houston is rated 26th in team defense and is giving up 29 points a game. The Rams, meanwhile, will be missing their best offensive lineman, left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who is out with a knee injury. Joseph Noteboom will replace him at tackle, who played well last season subbing for Big Whit. Texans defensive end Jonathon Greenard is quietly having a great year so far, notching seven sacks. The former Florida Gator can generate a pass rush that could make Rams quarterback Matt Stafford uncomfortable. He likely will face off against Rams Right Tackle Rob Havenstein, who so far has been so good that McVay recently said he is "playing as well as any right tackle in the league." The Rams Cooper Kupp is having a truly historic season at wide receiver, with his stats so far projecting out to about 1,900 yards. Kupp is so far not mentioned as an MVP candidate. Maybe he should be, although the MVP is almost always a quarterback. If the Rams can get out to a lead, we might see them do something they haven't done much of all-season—go ground and pound. Could this be a breakout game for running back Darrell Henderson? The Texan's two best players on defense from last season, J.J. Watt and Whitney Marcellus, are no longer playing with the Texans. Outside of Greenlaw, there isn't a ton of talent on the field for this defense by NFL standards. But again, this is the NFL, and you never know. Edge: Rams Special Teams: This area was a disaster for the Rams last week, giving up two fake punts and an onside kick to an aggressive Lions team, all of which Detroit executed successfully. You have to think the Texans coaching staff took notes and will try to pull off some trick plays this week. They probably will have to make fakes to pull off an upset. Rams punter Johnny Hekker has been good this season. Placekicker Matt Gay has had one bad game but has mostly been solid. Otherwise, special teams have been this team's weak spot. Return teams and kick coverage have been problematic. That needs to change. Edge: Houston Coaching: It's hard to evaluate how good the Texan's coaching staff is because they don't have much to work with in terms of talent. Rams Special Teams Coach Joe DeCamillis must feel his seat getting warm, and Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris has no shortage of critics either. But Houston Texans Head Coach David Culley would probably get some votes for coach of the year if he could go 7-10 with this team That's pretty unlikely. Edge: Rams Final Prediction: This is the NFL, and "stuff" happens. Houston is playing at home and has nothing to lose. The Rams are vulnerable on special teams and have a recent history of letting inferior opponents hang around way longer than they should. They also could be looking past this game to next week's battle with one of the hottest teams in the AFC, the Tennessee Titans. Those are all reasons why Houston could pull the upset. But we wouldn't bet on it. Rams 34, Houston 21 WORLDWIDE RAMSDoug Nelson  Overview: On paper, this looks like an easy win for the Rams, but there are no "gimme" games in the NFL. Last season the Rams visited the New York area for what seemed like an easy win against a winless Jets team. At the end of the game, the Jets had their first victory; in fact, Los Angeles in recent years has had some bad outings when traveling to the east coast. It's also worth noting that the Giants did pick up their first win against a Saints team that is at least decent a couple of weeks ago, Throw in the fact that the Rams defense is ranked 23rd in the league going into this weekend and is not missing starting corner Darious Williams, and the potential for an upset is there.  Rams Defense vs. Giants Offense: This is the side of that ball that has Rams fans concerned, and with good reason. A unit that was first in the league last season under now-departed defensive coordinator Brandon Staley has not been excellent so far in 2021. The adjustment period to the new D.C. Raheem Morris has been a bumpy one. The Rams miss safety John Johnson in particular and corner Troy Hill. Part of the problem is that the guys replacing safety Taylor Rapp and (mostly) cornerback David Long has not played very well. Last week Robert Rochelle did a credible job replacing Long at cornerback, but the injury to Williams likely means Long will see more snaps again this week. He has to play better than he did in a disastrous game a couple of weeks ago against the Cardinals.
The Giants may try to attack Rapp with tight end Evan Engram. Rapp is decent against the run, but his coverage skills have been a liability this season. Engram is an athletic tight end who can run, so the Rams may need to adjust or get Rapp to help in coverage. One on one, this is not a good matchup for the Rams. Might we see more of Terrell Burgess safety this week? The last time Long saw extensive playing time, Kyler Murray and the Cardinals went after him with a fair amount of success. The Giants receiving corps is certainly not on par with Arizona's, especially with wideout Kenny Golladay out with an injury. Even so, Long may be a marked man on Sunday, assuming he gets a fair amount of snaps. The marquee matchup in this game could be Rams corner Jalen Ramsey against Giants wideout Kadarius Toney, The G-men's former first-round pick out of Florida. As bad as the Giants outing was in a road loss to Dallas last week, Toney had an NFL coming-out party of sorts, with ten catches for 189 yards. While the Rams under Morris move Ramsey around a lot, it seems likely that he will match up against Toney more often than not. Toney did reveal a possible weak spot last week when he was goaded into throwing a punch at a Cowboys safety. Ramsey, who is almost as well known for his trash-talking as he is for his elite physical ability, may try to get under the rookie's skin with some insults and verbal jabs. The Giants will be without their biggest offensive weapon, running back Saquon Barkley, who is injured. Quarterback Daniel Jones will play and listed as questionable is Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas. We crave for him to play, but a more prominent issue could be at the other tackle position, where Nate Solder, the former Patriot, has struggled. Rams edge rusher Leonard Floyd could have a big day if he can take advantage of Solder. You can't talk about the Rams defense without mentioning Aaron Donald, who missed practice this week with a swollen knee. The latest word was is that A.D. will play on Sunday. While Donald only has three sacks in five games this year, that's a bit deceptive because he's been pressuring opposing quarterbacks and spending a good deal of time-fighting backfields. Daniel Jones has a history of being fumble prone, although he is more mobile and athletic than you might assume. This game could get ugly if the Rams can force him into a turnover or two or sack him multiple times. We will check this box for the Rams based on talent and the injuries to Barkley and Golladay, but the Rams defense needs to start playing better. Looking at you, David Long and Taylor Rapp. If Jones can get time to throw and the Rams can't fix their coverage issues, this game could be a lot closer than people think, and the Giants could pull the upset. Edge Rams Rams Offense vs. Giants Defense: Dallas hung 44 points on this defense last week, and the Rams are certainly capable of a similar tally if they play well and avoid mistakes. New York's defense looked like it was starting to jell last season, but they have been pretty bad so far in 2021, ranking 29th in the league in yards allowed. They have been a little better in scoring defense (but not much), allowing an average of just under 28 points a game. Their offense isn't going to rack up 30 points a game very often, so they have to play better if they want to avoid last place in an admittedly weak NFC East. The Giant's best defensive lineman is Leonard Williams. They move him around much as the Rams do with Aaron Donald, and they may try to get him lined up against Rams guard David Edwards, the relatively weak link in a perfect offensive line. Williams hasn't been pressuring opposing quarterbacks as well as the Giants would like so far this season. They need that to change on Sunday. The Giants will also be hoping that outside linebacker Azeez Olujari. Olujari will try to blow by Rams correct tackle Rob Havenstein and pressure Matt Stafford. Havenstein has had a good season so far, but he historically has had problems with athletic pass-rushers, such as Olujari. Robert Woods came out of hiding last week and had a massive game against the Seahawks. He'll probably see a lot of corner James Bradberry, who has a good reputation as a defender but has struggled this season. We don't think the Giants secondary, in general, matched up very well with Ram's talented group of receivers, so they need to pressure Stafford. Stafford, for whatever reason, has been prone to slow starts this season, but he can be deadly once he gets going. The Rams have not emphasized the ground game all that much this season, but Darrel Henderson, in particular, has shown flashes of being very good. The Giants are giving up an average of 138 yards on the ground (almost 200 yards against Dallas last week), and one of the best ways to neutralize a pass rush (if Williams and Oluzari can win their respective battles) is with a strong running game. It would also help keep what has been a suspect Rams defense off the field, but so far, the Rams haven't shown any particular liking for a "ground and pound' approach, even when the running game seems to be working. Edge: Rams Special Teams: This area seems to be an ongoing problem for the Rams, with kicker Matt Gay last week suffering a lousy game against the Seahawks. Gay was listed on the injury report with an ankle problem but is expected to play on Sunday. He's been pretty good this season until last week, so it's possible that he was either slightly injured or had a bad day. Johnny Hekker has been chiefly solid at punter for the Rams, but special teams have not been a team strength so far. Giants head coach Joe Judge was Bill Belichick's special team's coach in New England, and New York has guys on the roster simply on the strength of their special teams play more often than you usually find in the NFL. If they are to pull the upset on Sunday, special teams could be a factor. Edge: Giants Coaching: While Rams Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris and Special Teams Coach Joe DeCamillis are under pressure to get better performances from their respective units, we still like Sean McVay as an offensive innovator. The Rams also have superior roster talent overall, and good players make good coaches. Edge: Rams Final Prediction: The Rams are favored by 9.5 in this game, and they should win. Not only are they more talented, they are also healthier. The Giants probably need some big plays on special teams and an off day from the Rams offense to win this game. Stafford has been streaky, and the Rams have a history of not playing well on long road trips back east, so this game could surprise some people if the ball takes a few funny bounces. But you have to like the Rams chances overall: Rams 34 Giants 23 worldwide ramsDoug Nelson  Overview—This is not a "must-win" for either team, but it is essential. Arizona has a very winnable home game on Sunday against a banged-up San Francisco team with a rookie quarterback. That means if the Rams lose, they most likely fall two games behind in the NFC West race. That's not insurmountable, especially with twelve games remaining on the new 17 game schedule. But it's not good either. It may be an even bigger game for Seattle, as a loss would leave them (in all probability) three games out in the division race. That's getting into longshot territory in terms of the division. You don't like to write off the division race five games into the season, and that is almost where a loss would leave Seattle if the Cardinals beat the San Francisco Forty-Niners. The Rams also want to prove that last week's debacle against the Cardinals does not represent the 2021 Los Angeles Rams. If they lose badly on the road in Seattle, we'll have to wonder about that.  Rams Defense vs. Seahawks Offense: We think the Rams will score some points in this game (more on that in a moment). That likely means the Seahawk's offense will have to put some points on the board, which is a task they are more than capable of achieving. According to Rams Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris, cornerback Jalen Ramsey will be matched up with D.K. Metcalf. That's a matchup of a couple of very physical players and a battle that Ramsey mostly won last season. On the other side, it's Darius Williams against Tyler Lockett. Lockett has been making some big plays this season, so that could be a key battle in this game. After seeing what the Cardinals could do against Rams corner David Long last weekend, we're guessing long will be a marked man. Even Raheem Morris publicly admitted that Long just wasn't very well last week. That is simply the truth, and Long has to be better if he continues to see action for the 2021 Rams. At last report, 'Hawks running back Chris Carson was rated as "questionable" for this game. We think he will play. He's Seattle's best back, and this is a big game. Arizona rushed for 200 yards on Sunday. While Kyler Murray played well, you can't give up 120 yards to the likes of Chase Edmonds and expect to win. Carson, if he is reasonably healthy, is a better running back than Edmonds. You can't talk about this game without mentioning Russell Wilson's worst nightmare—Aaron Donald. A.D. has to hat some of his biggest games against Seattle, including a road win in the playoffs last season. The Rams don't seem to be the same defense as in 2020 when the unit ranked number one. DC Morris is catching some heat, and the losses of safety John Johnson and cornerback Troy Hill seem to be having an impact. The Los Angeles D has to play better and specifically tackle better than they did on Sunday. Edge: Seahawks  Rams Offense vs. Seattle Defense: While the Rams defense has not been perfect this season, the Seattle defense has been even worse. They were ranked dead last in the NFL in several categories. They've been awful against the run. One of the few bright spots for the Rams last week was running back Darrell Henderson, who had a big day until Los Angeles got a little pass-happy in their play calling. Part of that was a function of falling behind in the game, but Henderson may be the only Ram who played well last week. They can't say the same for Sony Michel, who had a critical fumble that led to an Arizona touchdown and didn't get many carries. Michel was much better two weeks ago against Tampa Bay, but we're guessing Henderson will get most of the carries on Thursday night, assuming his still-sore ribs are up to it. If Ram's defense is as bad as they looked last week, a lot of long, time-consuming drives to keep Russell Wilson on the sidelines would undoubtedly help. Neither quarterback Matthew Stafford nor wide receiver Cooper Kupp plays exceptionally well on Sunday. Stafford did throw for 280 yards, but he also turned the ball over and missed several open receivers. Kupp did not play up to his usual standards, and Arizona focused on stopping him, especially third down. Since that worked, you have to assume that Seattle will try the same strategy. Where have you gone, Robert Woods? In recent years, woods, who has been a key contributor to the Rams offense, has all but disappeared in 2021. That needs to change, especially if the 'Hawks double up on Kupp, as we think they might. Vann Jefferson has had some big catches, but he can do more as well. The same could be said for tight end Tyler Higbee. The Legion of Boom is a distant memory, but Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner remains. He's probably the best middle linebacker in the NFL. If the Rams go smash mouth, he'll be a key contributor in limiting the Rams running game. Seattle's pass rush has shown some signs of life in 2021 after not being very good last season. The Rams O-line has given up a league-low three sacks. The battle in the trenches" may well decide this game. Edge: RAMS  Special Teams: The Ram's special teams have been showing improvement as the season goes on, but Seattle gets the edge here. Edge Seahawks Coaching: We'll take Sean McVay over any NFL coach not named Bill Belichick. But Rams Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris is under some pressure due to his unit's underwhelming performance so far. One exciting matchup will be Seattle offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. A former Rams assistant, going against Morris and his former team. You could probably argue this category, but we are going to check the box for Los Angeles.
Edge: Rams Final Prediction: This could very well be a high-scoring, close game. But there is an old gambling adage (presented here for entertainment purposes only, of course) that you should always take a good team coming off a bad game. That's the Rams. Rams 38 Seattle 35 worldwide RamsDoug Nelson  Overview: Many people think this may be a preview of the NFC title game. It's early to be making that kind of prediction, and indeed, there are many other good teams in the NFC, including the entire NFC West. Still, this is a headline game. The Los Angeles Rams were the last team to hang a loss on Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a 27-24 victory in Florida last season. The oddsmakers earlier this week were picking the Rams by 1.5 points. That betting line has now mostly moved in the other direction, with the Bucs being slightly favored by about the same margin.  Rams Defense vs. Bucs Offense: Let's be honest here, the Rams defense needs to play better than they did last week in a road win over the Colts. They were terrible, but Carson Wentz is not Tom Brady, and this offense is at least a couple of notches above that of the Colts. On the other hand, if the Rams defense plays up to its ability, it's far better than that of either the Cowboys or Falcons, the two teams Tampa Bay has victimized so far this season. Tom Brady has thrown nine touchdowns already versus only two picks this season. He historically is not as good under pressure. Ask the 2007 Giants who upset him in the Super Bowl. It's still true today. The Bucs did well in last year's loss to the Rams by containing Aaron Donald, who didn't have a sack in that game. Asking for a repeat performance is asking a lot, but AD will likely see his usual double or triple-team blocking. That means guys like Leonard Floyd, Justin Hollins, and Sebastian Joseph Day need to step up their games. Terrel Lewis, the former third-round pick out of Alabama, has had a quiet career as an outside linebacker so far. If he's ever going to change that narrative, Sunday would be a great time to start. One way or another, the Rams have to make Tom Brady uncomfortable, even if it means dialing up some exotic blitzes. Los Angeles Rams Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris saw Brady and the Bucs twice last season when he was the Head Coach with the Falcons. It will be interesting to see what he creates. The Bucs number three receiver Antonio Brown has been ruled out today, but it may not matter with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Tight End Rob Gronkowski on the field. Rams corners Jalen Ramsey and Darius Williams have been outstanding this season, and Morris has been deploying Ramsey all over the secondary as sort of a roving cornerback, including in the slot and even against tight ends. It will be interesting to see how Morris uses him this week. We're guessing he will mostly face Evans this week, but who knows? If so, it will be an exciting battle. Edge: Even  Rams Offense vs. Bucs Defense: Last year, Rams running back Cam Akers had a breakout game against Tampa Bay. He's out for the year and obviously won't play in this game. Darrel Henderson, who been the Rams feature back in his absence, is nursing a rib injury and may or may not play. That likely means Sony Michel, the former first-round pick from Georgia whom the Rams got from New England a few weeks ago, may have to carry the load. Tampa Bay's run defense has been excellent so far, essentially shutting down Ezekiel Elliot, among others. The Bucs appear to have the edge here, given Michel's somewhat underwhelming NFL career to date. Jake Funk may see some action for the Rams, but let's be honest, he doesn't scare anybody. It could be tough sledding on the ground for LA in this game. Hopefully, they can mount some semblance of a running game to play-action pass, always a big part of a Sean McVay offense can click. The prospects through the air could be a bit brighter. Tampa Bay's secondary is likely the weak link in an excellent defense. The Rams Cooper Kupp has been outstanding so far this year. With 271 receiving yards and three touchdowns through two games. He had nine catches for 193 yards last week, and he seems to have a special rapport with quarterback Matt Stafford. He's probably seen many Bucs corner Carlton Davis, and that is a matchup that favors the Rams. If the Bucs double up on Kupp, which may happen, Robert Woods and Van Jefferson need to win their matchups. McVay also talked this week about getting DeSean Jackson more involved in the offense. The speedster (and former Buc) could be an ex-factor in this game. This season, Rams Center Brian Allen has been a pleasant surprise, but he'll face a big test on Sunday versus Vita Vea, one of the game's best nose tackles. Like the rest of this game, this battle is a hard one to forecast. We'll check the box for the Rams, but it's very, very close. They probably need to complete a couple of long passes, and Stafford needs to have a big game. Edge: Rams (slight)  Special Teams: This area almost cost the Rams a win over Indy last week when they essentially botched their punt with a player being out of position, resulting in a Indianapolis Colts touchdown. That can't happen again. Outside of placekicker Matt Gay, the Rams special teams have not been perfect. It's a problem. Edge: Bucs Coaching: Some consider Bucs Head Coach Bruce Arians a potential Hall of Famer if he can win another ring or two. He always gave the Rams a fight when he coached the division-rival Cardinals, despite having a less talented team.
But when it comes to innovation and offensive wizardry, few can match Sean McVay. We don't know yet just how good Raheem Morris is as the Rams defensive coordinator. He's well-respected (he once was the head man in Tampa Bay), but there have been some bumps in the road early in Los Angeles. It may be a case of the players learning a new defense. We've already aired our concerns with the Rams special teams. As with the Rams defense, the jury is still out on new special teams coach Joe DeCamillis. There are too many unknowns here, so we'll call this a toss-up for now. Edge: even Final Prediction: For anyone thinking of betting in this game, our advice would be "don't." This week, former Rams great Kurt Warner said on the NFL Network that he thinks Tampa Bay is simply playing on a different level than the rest of the league right now. He may be right. We're Rams fans. Maybe the honest prediction here would be "who knows." But we'll say Rams 30 Bucs 29 WORLDWIDE RAMSDOUG NELSON  Rams vs. Colts Preview
Overview: Interesting matchup of a couple of potential playoff teams. The Rams are coming off of a resounding win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. As is often the case with Rams victories, the game was close for a half before the Rams pulled away for a 20-point win. The Colts, meanwhile, were shredded by Russell Wilson and the Seahawks in an opening day loss. This game is big for them, as no one ever wants to start a season 0-2. A win over the Rams would also give Indy credibility as a legit playoff contender. Oddsmakers have the Rams favored by thee on the road. Rams Defense vs. Colts Offense: The matchup of Rams D-lineman Aaron Donald—widely considered the best defensive player in the game, if not the best player period—against Colts All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson alone makes this game an intriguing one. If you are a football purist who loves the battle in the trenches, this should be a treat, assuming it happens. Nelson missed practice this week with a back injury but has indicated he will play on Sunday. Nelson is arguably the best guard in the NFL, so this could be a great battle if he is at full strength. It's potentially the best one-on-one battle you will see in the NFL in 2021. Colt's offensive line should have concerns and issues. Right-tackle Braden Smith is out, and left tackle Eric Fisher is questionable with an Achilles injury. You don't want to face this Rams defensive front with both tackles out, so that could be a huge deal. Colts running back Jonathon Taylor needs a big day for Indy. The one negative in the Rams win last week against the Bears was the rush defense, gashed for over 100 yards by Chicago running back David Montgomery. Indy can win this game if Taylor can have a big day, and the Colts can keep the explosive Rams offense on the sidelines. Outside linebacker Justin Hollins had a big day last week for the Rams, including a pair of sacks. Meanwhile, the Rams deployed top cornerback Jalen Ramsey all over the field, including matching up with the Bears' tight ends on occasion. It will be interesting to see if defensive coordinator Raheem Morris follows that game plan again on Sunday. Colts quarterback Carson Wentz had decent numbers on paper last week, throwing for 251 yards and two touchdowns. He didn't do as well by the "eyeball' test, though, as he tended to look a little sluggish and overmatched on the field. He threw 15 picks in 2020 despite being supplanted as the starter for Philly by Jalen Hurts late in the season. Two of those came against the Rams, including an interception in the end zone that stopped a Philly drive. He can't turn the ball over on Sunday, or this could get ugly. Wentz knows both the Rams and defensive coordinator Raheem Morris from his days in Philly. Of course, that also means they know him. If this turns into a shootout, we like Ram's chances in this game. But if Indy can run the ball, avoid turnovers and play positional football, the Colts may well notch their first win of the season. Edge: RAMS Rams Offense vs. Eagles Defense: The Colts don't necessarily have great edge rushers, but they do have one of the game's best defensive tackles not named Aaron Donald. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who notched 9.5 sacks last season and was named First-team All-Pro Buckner, regularly terrorized the Rams as a member of the 49ers from 2016-2019. He can be a big problem, and the Rams know it. The job of containing him will fall to center Brian Allen and guard Austin Corbett. We had concerns about Allen last week, and they said so. He proved us wrong, playing so well that he was singled out for praise by Rams coach Sean McVay. He needs another strong performance on Sunday. Matt Stafford's inside pressure will rattle him so that this battle could be a key to the game. The Colts will be without their best corner in Xavier Rhodes. That's all the more reason why Indy needs to generate some pressure upfront. One of the reasons the Rams got Matt Stafford in the off-season was his ability to throw the deep ball. We saw it last week in long touchdowns to Van Jefferson and Cooper Kupp, and the Colts don't want a repeat if they are to win on Sunday. The Ram running game was dormant last week until late in the game, when Darrel Henderson showed some flashes and helped cinch the win. Overall, the running game was just OK, and Los Angeles would like a little more on the ground so that the play-action passes that are a big part of their offense can click. Will we see more of Sony Michel at running back last week? Edge: Rams Special teams: Rams kicker Matt Gay was very well last week. Punter Johnny Hekker was decent in limited action. The Rams kickoff coverage was not great, though, which is something they want to work on. We aren't necessarily a fan of having Cooper Kupp as a punt returner either. First of all, we don't want to see him injured. But we also don't love his work as a return man so far, including appearances in that role last season. The Colt's special teams were outstanding in 2020. With only one regular-season game under their belt, we don't know if that will hold this season. But we are going to check this box for Indy. Edge: Colts Coaching: Colt's headman Frank Reich, is a good NFL coach with a very competent staff. But giving Sean McVay the kind of tools he appears to have on offense this season could be scary. Edge: Rams Final Prediction: Colts legends Peyton Manning and Edgerrin James will be at this game. The Colts are also playing at home, and while this isn't a "must win' game, it's undoubtedly a "really want to win" game. We think the Rams have a little better team, and talent usually wins in the NFL. Rams 30 Colts 24 worldwide ramsDoug Nelson  Overview: You never really know what to expect in season openers. These teams were playoff teams last year, albeit Chicago with a mediocre 8-8 mark. Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy's job depends on how his team performs this season.
Both teams feature new quarterbacks in this game. The Rams gave up a fortune in talent and draft choices to get former Lion's signal-caller Matt Stafford. No one doubts Stafford's arm talent, but he's never won anything worth mentioning in his NFL career. Was that because stuck in Detroit, the Siberia of the NFL? Or is he not a winner? We may find out in 2021. The Bears, meanwhile, turn to NFL journeyman Andy Dalton. Dalton is "just a guy, let us be straight" He won't kill you with rookie mistakes, but he won't carry a team on his back either. He's keeping the seat warm for Bear's first-round pick Justin Fields, from Ohio State University. We may or may not see Fields take some snaps in this game, But Nagy insists that Dalton is his starter. The Rams have reportedly been preparing for both players in their defensive scheming for this game. Rams Defense vs. Bears Offense: One thing many folks will be watching for in this game is a potential marquee matchup between Rams corner Jalen Ramsey and Bears' wideout Allen Robinson, who is easily Chicago's biggest offensive threat. Ramsey regularly battled DK Metcalf, DeAndre Hopkins, Davante Adams, and Terry McLaurin last season. While he may not have been perfect in those matchups, he won more often than he lost. Robinson is an excellent receiver, but Ramsey puts the "shut down" in the 'shut down corner." We like his chances of at least containing Robinson. The other big matchup, of course, features Rams All-World defensive lineman Aaron Donald against Bears interior lineman Cody Whitehair and James Daniels. The Bears O-line widely regarded as the team's weakest link on offense. They will likely do what everybody does, go all out to contain Donald. Whether they are successful will have a lot to do with the outcome of this game. The Rams got some good news on the injury front that defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson will likely play. Robinson, a mountain of a man, will be partially counted on to replace the departed Micheal Brockers in the Rams defensive front. He's reportedly shed a few pounds to improve his pass-rush skills. This game will also be a reunion, as Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd faces his old team. Floyd considered a bust when he left Chicago, a former first-round pick from Georgia who underachieved in his stint with the Bears. But he revived his career last year with the Rams, notching 10.5 sacks in route to a fat new contract in the offseason. We would think he might have a little extra motivation to play well in this game. The Bears rushing attack runs through David Montgomery, a well-above-average NFL back with some game-breaking potential. The Rams linebackers, especially the inside backers, have to do their job on Sunday night. If there is a weakness in this defense, they may be it. The Rams defense is lead by defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Morris is a former head coach who is very well thought of around the league, but he has big shoes to fill in replacing Brandon Staley. The latter coached the league's top-rated defense in L.A. last season. The Rams likewise will have to replace Safety John Johnson, a long-time stalwart in the secondary who played at a Pro-Bowl level. It won't be easy, but the Rams still have many talents on defense. Edge: Rams Rams Offense vs. Bears Defense: Even though Nagy brought a reputation as an offensive genius to the Bears when he came to Chicago from Kansas City a few years back, this team's strength has been chiefly on this side of the ball. With a front seven that includes Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Roquan Smith, and Bilal Nichols, these guys can wreck a game plan..and an offense. We are a little concerned about the Rams going with Brian Allen at the center. He wasn't terrific in 2019 when he last started. Hopefully, he's stepped up his game since then. Bears tackle Akiem Hicks may be looking forward to seeing Allen across the line. Let's hope Hicks is in for a disappointing night. The ears' defensive tackle battle is battling a knee injury, and they may try to compensate by having Hicks try to take advantage of Allen in this game. Khalil Mack is another game-wrecker, especially as a pass-rusher. He might not entirely be Aaron Donald, but he's not far behind A.D., and that is saying something. Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein needs to hold his own against Mack at least. The Rams think they can take advantage of a questionable Bears secondary, but if Matthew Stafford is flat on his back all night, that won't happen. The Rams held Mack to a sack and a forced fumble last year in a Los Angeles win. Those may not be superior numbers from Ram's point of view, but Mack can do much more damage if Havenstein doesn't bring his A-game. The Bear's secondary is the relative weak link here. One reason the Rams added Stafford and DeSean Jackson and rookie Tutu Atwell, the speedster from Louisville, was to try to open up a deep passing game that was lackluster last season. Expect them to take their shots down the field. Of course, veterans Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are already excellent receivers, so if the Rams can keep Stafford upright, they could score some points. The Rams got a tough break when they lost running back Cam Akers in the preseason. Darrel Henderson and Sony Michel expected to carry the bulk of the load. Bears linebacker Roquon Smith is a significant force in stopping the run and covering receivers out of the backfield. Smith vs. Henderson/Michel is another crucial matchup. It's hard to say precisely how the new pieces on this Rams offense will come together in week 1, and the Bears have some serious defensive talent. We're going to check the box for Los Angeles, but this should be an exciting matchup. If the Bears can pressure Stafford and contain the running game, they absolutely can win this game. Edge: Rams (not by much) Special Teams: The honest answer in week one of 2021 is who knows? The Rams seemed to find their groove last season in the kicking game when they signed Matt Gay, and punter Johnny Hekker returns despite being out-performed in the preseason by Cory Bojorquez, subsequently traded to the Green Bay Packers. But Hekker is still an excellent punter, and as a former high-school quarterback, he adds the dimension of a fake punt to the arsenal for the Rams. Los Angeles just wasn't excellent in kickoff and punt coverage or return game last season. They brought in 33-year veteran Joe DeCamillis to run the special teams this year. Let's hope he can step up the play from last season when special team's units were a problem after mostly being a team strength in previous years. The Bear's special teams aren't necessarily a team strength either. They have a history of missing big kicks in crucial games, going back to a missed field goal that cost them a playoff game against the Eagles a few years ago. Cairo Santos is the current placekicker and considered solid, if not extraordinary. Pat O'Donnell handles the punting choirs, and the Rams will see a familiar face returning punts in former Ram Nsimba Webster. The Bears are missing Tarik Cohen on the return game, who is injured. Cohen is an excellent player, so his loss hurts. There are too many variables here to pick a clear favorite until we see some regular-season action from both squads, so we'll rate this as a toss-up for now. Edge: EVEN Coaching: Matt Nagy had a reputation as an offensive genius when he was the Chiefs, offensive coordinator. We haven't seen that in Chicago. Then again, going from Patrick Mahomes to (former Bears quarterback), Mitch Trubisky might have something to do with that. Sean McVay's reputation as an offensive genius likewise may have taken something of a hit last season when the Rams offense was not very good. Will the change at quarterback and the influx of speed at wide-receiver change things? We don't know. But we think the Rams have the overall advantage here. Edge: Rams Final Prediction: The Rams are considered a Super Bowl contender, while the Bears generally are not. But this is not an easy matchup by any means. The Bears upset Los Angeles's last Super Bowl team in 2018, and they are capable of doing so again, especially if they can generate some takeaways on defense. Season openers are always a little dicey. You don't know. But we'll take the Rams Rams 27, Bears 20 worldwide ramsEd "Pi Double I" Henderson  Player Bio: Bobby Brown III attended Lamar High School located in Arlington, TX. In his junior season, he recorded 40 tackles with six tackles for loss and three sacks. He garnered District 4-6A Honorable Mention and District 4-6A First Team. ACCOLADES 2021 NFL Combine Invite 2020 All-SEC First Team 2018 SEC All-Freshman Team
SCHOOL: TEXAS A&M | CONFERENCE: SEC COMBINE RESULTS 40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE 5.04 | DNP | 33” | 114” | 7.62 | 4.48 PRO DAY RESULTS 40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE 5.04 | DNP | 33” | 114” | 7.62 | 4.48 Game film |
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 | ERNEST BROWN IV DEFENSIVE END HOMETOWN | CLASS AUBREY, TX | SENIOR DRAFT YR: 2021 COMBINE INVITE: YES HEIGHT WEIGHT ARMS 6' 4 ¾" 270 lbs 34 ½" HANDS PROJECTED 40-TIME DRAFT GRADE 9 ¾" 5.10 4.80 |
SCHOOL: NORTHWESTERN | CONFERENCE: BIG TEN
COMBINE RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
5.01 | 25 | 31” | 115” | 7.19 | 4.50
PRO DAY RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
5.01 | 25 | 31” | 115” | 7.19 | 4.50
COMBINE RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
5.01 | 25 | 31” | 115” | 7.19 | 4.50
PRO DAY RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
5.01 | 25 | 31” | 115” | 7.19 | 4.50
GAME FILM
#99 ERNEST BROWN IV VS WISCONSIN (2020)
#99 ERNEST BROWN IV HIGHLIGHTS
Strengths: He is a tremendous explosive off the snap of the ball, creating excellent leverage. He comes down the line and does not bite on fakes and contains outside. It is impressive the way that he can change direction at full speed and remain productive. He has an excellent bend and uses his uses arms and hands well to shed blocks. He is an excellent tackler, especially after disengaging off of blocks. He is versatile in playing the 3-4 EDGE or 4-3 defensive end.
Weaknesses: He will tend to play above the pad level that will expose him against run blocking schemes. That play will allow him to struggle against the run, especially on misdirection plays. His aggressive play will often get out of gap containment and will expose his second level.
Draft Projection: 4th - 6th Round
NFL Comparison: Jalyn Holmes
Weaknesses: He will tend to play above the pad level that will expose him against run blocking schemes. That play will allow him to struggle against the run, especially on misdirection plays. His aggressive play will often get out of gap containment and will expose his second level.
Draft Projection: 4th - 6th Round
NFL Comparison: Jalyn Holmes
worldwide rams
Ed "Pi Double I" Henderson
WORLDWIDE RAMS
Ed "Pi Double I" Henderson
Player Bio: Tutu Atwell attended Northwestern High School located in Miami, FL. He was a dual-threat quarterback that passed for over 4,000 yards and rushed over 1,500 yards during his prep career. He led Northwestern High to the FHSAA 6A State Championship.
ACCOLADES
2021 NFL Combine Invite
2019 Pro Football Focus All-American First Team
2019 All-ACC First Team
ACCOLADES
2021 NFL Combine Invite
2019 Pro Football Focus All-American First Team
2019 All-ACC First Team
 | TUTU ATWELL WIDE RECEIVER HOMETOWN | CLASS MIAMI, FL | JUNIOR DRAFT YR: 2021 COMBINE INVITE: YES HEIGHT WEIGHT ARMS 5' 8⅞" 210 lbs 29 ⅛" HANDS PROJECTED 40-TIME DRAFT GRADE 8 ⅞" 4.40 5.97 |
SCHOOL: CLEMSON | CONFERENCE: ACC
COMBINE RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
4.39 | 23 | 33” | 117” | 6.87 | 4.09
PRO DAY RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
4.39 | 23 | 33” | 117” | 6.87 | 4.09
COMBINE RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
4.39 | 23 | 33” | 117” | 6.87 | 4.09
PRO DAY RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
4.39 | 23 | 33” | 117” | 6.87 | 4.09
game film
#1 tutu atwell vs miami (2020)
#1 tutu atwell career highlights
Strengths: He set Louisville's receiving yards and tied the touchdowns mark. He ended his career with 140 receptions for 2,307 yards and 21 touchdowns in three seasons in his three years. He is a speedy and dynamic receiver that has significant playability and excellent athleticism. His speed off the line of scrimmage is explosive as he creates an immediate separation from the defender. He threatens the defensive backfield with his speed and will take the lid off of the secondary. He is fearless and will catch the ball anywhere on the field. He is tough and will not shy away from contact. He is explosive as a returner; he can flip the possession of the field on one return.
Weaknesses: He is small, and it is mandatory that he adds bulk to his frame and gets stronger. He will consideredly be a high risk for injury every time he goes across the middle. His speed will require double coverages, and he will be confused on his routes.
Draft Projection: 4th - 5th Round
NFL Comparison: John Ross (Cincinnati Bengals)
Weaknesses: He is small, and it is mandatory that he adds bulk to his frame and gets stronger. He will consideredly be a high risk for injury every time he goes across the middle. His speed will require double coverages, and he will be confused on his routes.
Draft Projection: 4th - 5th Round
NFL Comparison: John Ross (Cincinnati Bengals)
WORLDWIDE RAMS
Ed "Pi Double I" Henderson
Player Bio: Ernest Jones prepped at Ware County High School located in Waycross, GA. He recorded 112 total tackles (70 solos) and 6.0 tackles for loss in his senior year, two sacks, three forced fumbles, and five quarterback hurries. He garnered the Class AAAAA All-State First Team and PrepStar All-Southeast Region team.
ACCOLADES
2021 NFL Combine Invite
2020 Butkus Semifinalist
2020 Phil Steele All-SEC Fourth Team
ACCOLADES
2021 NFL Combine Invite
2020 Butkus Semifinalist
2020 Phil Steele All-SEC Fourth Team
 | ERNEST JONES INSIDE LINEBACKER HOMETOWN | CLASS WAYCROSS, GA | JUNIOR DRAFT YR: 2021 COMBINE INVITE: YES HEIGHT WEIGHT ARMS 6' 1½" 321 lbs 33 ⅜" HANDS PROJECTED 40-TIME DRAFT GRADE 10 ⅜" 4.70 5.99 |
SCHOOL: SOUTH CAROLINA | CONFERENCE: SEC
COMBINE RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
4.72 | 19 | 38 ½” | 126” | 7.49 | 4.38
PRO DAY RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
4.72 | 19 | 38 ½” | 126” | 7.49 | 4.38
COMBINE RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
4.72 | 19 | 38 ½” | 126” | 7.49 | 4.38
PRO DAY RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
4.72 | 19 | 38 ½” | 126” | 7.49 | 4.38
GAME FILM
#53 Ernest Jones vs lSU (2020)
#53 Ernest Jones career highlights
Strengths: He is an excellent cerebral player who sticks to the script by playing fundamental football. He plays like a traditional middle linebacker who is violent and hit hard. His diagnosis plays well, and he will not hesitate to shoot the gaps and does not miss tackles. He is a tackling machine; in his two full years as a starter, he recorded eight games of double digits in tackles. He will contain his leverage and almost flawless in his responsibility. He has to ability to drop in coverage as a pass defender.
Weaknesses: His speed will be challenged at the next level, as he does not possess the speed to stay with quick running backs and tight ends. He does not look that athletic and is not have fluid hips, and he looks stiff. He will need to work on his skill level blitzing, as he will get knocked off his route running above the pad level.
Draft Projection: 4th Round
NFL Comparison: Elandon Roberts (Miami Dolphins)
Weaknesses: His speed will be challenged at the next level, as he does not possess the speed to stay with quick running backs and tight ends. He does not look that athletic and is not have fluid hips, and he looks stiff. He will need to work on his skill level blitzing, as he will get knocked off his route running above the pad level.
Draft Projection: 4th Round
NFL Comparison: Elandon Roberts (Miami Dolphins)
worldwide rams
Ed “Pi Double i” Henderson
Player Bio: Cameron McGrone attended Lawrence Central High School located in Indianapolis, IN. He recorded 84 tackles (14 tackles for loss) and four sacks in his senior season, his junior season, with 15 ½ tackles for loss and 4 ½ sacks.
ACCOLADES
2021 NFL Combine Invite
2019 Coaches All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
2019 Media All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
ACCOLADES
2021 NFL Combine Invite
2019 Coaches All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
2019 Media All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
 | CAM MCGRONE INSIDE LINEBACKER HOMETOWN | CLASS INDIANOPOLIS, IN | JUNIOR DRAFT YR: 2021 COMBINE INVITE: HEIGHT WEIGHT ARMS 6' 0" 234 lbs 33" HANDS PROJECTED 40-TIME DRAFT GRADE 9 ¼" 4.70 6.90 |
SCHOOL: MICHIGAN | CONFERENCE: BIG TEN
COMBINE RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
DNP | 20 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP
PRO DAY RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
DNP | 20 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP
COMBINE RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
DNP | 20 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP
PRO DAY RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
DNP | 20 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP
game film
#44 cameron mcgrone vs minnesota (2020)
#44 cameron mcgrone highlights
Strengths: He has perfect size with muscular built to his frame and good height. He is unique as he plays so well in tight space with short-area quickness. He takes excellent angles to the ball and makes perfect form tackling. He has over-average sideline-to-sideline speed. He will shoot the gaps or sell his body to stack blocks and disengage with moves dipping and bend underneath. He posses some coverage ability.
Weaknesses: He will need to work on his pass coverage skills at the next level or not be a three-down linebacker. He does not look comfortable playing against big tight ends down the field. His mechanics will need to improve; he does not get his head around quickly and does not track the ball well. He will need to increase bulk to his frame that will help him over his career.
Draft Projection: 2nd Round - 3rd Round
NFL Comparison: Fred Warner (San Francisco 49ers)
Weaknesses: He will need to work on his pass coverage skills at the next level or not be a three-down linebacker. He does not look comfortable playing against big tight ends down the field. His mechanics will need to improve; he does not get his head around quickly and does not track the ball well. He will need to increase bulk to his frame that will help him over his career.
Draft Projection: 2nd Round - 3rd Round
NFL Comparison: Fred Warner (San Francisco 49ers)
WORLDWIDE RAMS
Ed "Pi Double I" Henderson
Player Bio: D'Ante Smith attended Grovetown High School, located in Augusta, GA. At Grovetown High, he was selected All-County, All-Area, and All-Region honors his junior and senior years. The Columbian County New name to the All-County New Times First Team. He received an invite to play in the 2015 Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Border Bowl III. He was also lettered in wrestling, competing in the heavyweight division.
ACCOLADES
2021 NFL Combine Invite
2021 Reese's Senior Bowl Participant
2020 Phil Steele Preseason All-AAC First Team
2020 Athlon Preseason All-ACC First Team
2019 Phil Steele Preseason All-AAC Third Team
ACCOLADES
2021 NFL Combine Invite
2021 Reese's Senior Bowl Participant
2020 Phil Steele Preseason All-AAC First Team
2020 Athlon Preseason All-ACC First Team
2019 Phil Steele Preseason All-AAC Third Team
 | D'ANTE SMITH OFFENSIVE TACKLE HOMETOWN | CLASS AUGUSTA, CA | SENIOR DRAFT YR: 2021 COMBINE INVITE: YES HEIGHT WEIGHT ARMS 6' 5" 305 lbs 35" HANDS PROJECTED 40-TIME DRAFT GRADE 9 ⅞" 5.10 5.93 |
SCHOOL: EAST CAROLINA ST | CONFERENCE: AAC
COMBINE RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
5.29 | 24 | 29” | 113” | 7.96 | 4.81
PRO DAY RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
5.29 | 24 | 29” | 113” | 7.96 | 4.81
COMBINE RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
5.29 | 24 | 29” | 113” | 7.96 | 4.81
PRO DAY RESULTS
40 YD DASH | BENCH PRESS | VERTICAL JUMP | BROAD JUMP | 3 CONE DRILL | 20 YD SHUTTLE
5.29 | 24 | 29” | 113” | 7.96 | 4.81
gam film
#67 d'ante smith vs old dominion (2018)
#67 D'ante smith senior bowl highlights
Strengths: He is versatile and has a nice stout frame to his body that is ideal for an NFL offensive lineman. He has a mean streak and plays with a poisonous intellect. At the point of attack, he will display his strength and power with his long arms to help maul the defender in the trench. As he engages with the defender, he has the precise control to direct them in any direction he chooses to drive. He is fluid and has an excellent ability to climb up to the second level and isolate the linebackers. He played both guard and tackle positions, giving teams a concept to rate him before draft day.
Weaknesses: He will need to increase his workload with his footwork and improve his blocking stability. He will struggle at times to seal the edge because of the lousy footwork. He will need to recognize the defensive fronts sooner when the defense flips from one to the other. He struggles to read the defense allowing him to compromise his inside gap responsibility. It may be a one-year project to sharpen up his fundamentals and skill set.
Draft Projection: 4th -5th Round
NFL Comparison: Jedrick Wills (Cleveland Browns)
Weaknesses: He will need to increase his workload with his footwork and improve his blocking stability. He will struggle at times to seal the edge because of the lousy footwork. He will need to recognize the defensive fronts sooner when the defense flips from one to the other. He struggles to read the defense allowing him to compromise his inside gap responsibility. It may be a one-year project to sharpen up his fundamentals and skill set.
Draft Projection: 4th -5th Round
NFL Comparison: Jedrick Wills (Cleveland Browns)