Welcome back to another editions of 5 Questions, a weekly collaboration with other SB Nation sites to preview the Ravens’ upcoming matchups. This week, the Los Angeles Rams are coming to Baltimore, so Evan Craig of Turf Show Times is on hand to answer Baltimore Beatdown’s questions about Week 6.
Also, check out Baltimore Beatdown’s responses to Turf Show Times’ questions about the Ravens!
1. The Ravens have a struggling defense at every level. The Rams could likely attack them however they want. What
specific ways do you see the Rams attacking this defense?
Just breathing and showing up on the field.
(Almost) kidding there, but I see the Rams just continuing to go pass-happy in attacking the Ravens’ defense. Matthew Stafford is averaging 29 passing attempts per game, including 98 attempts in the last two games against the Colts and 49ers. There were many legit concerns about Stafford’s health entering the season, yet he’s been off to the best start of his L.A. career since his first year in Hollywood. Passing at will primarily to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams has been the team’s most consistent offensive strategy so far this season, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
As for the ground game, that part of the offense hasn’t been as efficient … yet. Kyren Williams has had his moments and Blake Corum has also joined in on the fun on occasion. I think since the Ravens have been so bad on defense, this would be the perfect week to establish the run more consistently as the Rams inch closer to their bye. But generally, expect L.A. to pass early and often on Sunday.
2. The Ravens have been awful at keeping their quarterback protected, allowing a massive number of sacks, even when Lamar Jackson was back there trying to avoid them. Outside of Jared Verse, who else on the Rams could wreak havoc in the backfield on Sunday?
Linebacker Byron Young has been a menace for opposing quarterbacks this season, as he leads the team with 5.5 sacks through five games. He also has 10 QB hits, which is one behind Verse for the team lead. Young has excellent closing speed and can seriously chase down anyone when he has the opportunity. Other than Young, Defensive ends Kobie Turner or Braden Fiske, who amazingly hasn’t recorded a sack by the way, are two other guys to watch. There is so much young talent on this side of the ball for the Rams that it could really be anyone wreaking havoc in the backfield on a given week.
3. Conversely, is there a clear weak spot along the Rams’ offensive line that the Ravens could attack to give their anemic pass rush some life?
The offensive line has been a complicated issue for the Rams through these first few weeks, as nine different players have suited up for L.A.’s O-line so far. Continuity has been the main culprit due to injuries along the line. Steve Avila, Beaux Limmer and even stalwart Kevin Dotson have all shown signs of regression, so there is no definitive answer to this question.
However, attacking the left guard spot is the main area to go if you’re looking for pass rushing life. That area has seen the most change through these first few weeks, and now it’s looking like presumed building block Avila might have a starting role to fight back for. The inconsistency and continuity issues have been maddening for fans all season, and there’s no clear solution yet, unless there’s an overhaul this offseason.
4. We have seen Matt Stafford propel Calvin Johnson and Cooper Kupp to historic seasons and it appears that Puka Nucua is next in line. What about Stafford makes him unique in his ability to connect on such a level with his top wide receiver in any given year?
Matthew Stafford has always been the ultimate gunslinger, and that mentality has made him unafraid to take risks in the passing game, giving his top receivers the targets they need. Sometimes, that mentality has come back to bite him on a bad turnover when he tries too hard to force it, but usually it has worked wonders. Stafford simply knows how to get the most out of his top targets, and that’s how they wind up posting historic production.
In my opinion, Stafford could probably make most receivers stand out, regardless of who they are. Plus, I think it helps that wideouts like Johnson, Kupp and Nacua each share a natural nose for the ball that has made them prime targets for Stafford to throw to. He really is a wide receiver’s best friend. That is something that should factor in for Hall of Fame voters when the time comes, because all the great ones possess that gift, and Stafford’s had it his entire career.
5. Who has been the Rams’ biggest surprise and disappointment so far this season?
The biggest surprise has been linebacker Nate Landman, who has been quite the free agent pickup this offseason. Landman, in his first season with the Rams since leaving the Falcons, has 41 combined tackles (second on the team) and two forced fumbles, including one that saved L.A. in a season-opening win over the Texans. He’s in line for a big extension and has been the ideal fit at linebacker that the Rams have failed to prioritize for years.
The biggest disappointment in a way has been Kyren Williams, who signed an extension with the organization before the season. Williams was one of the reasons Los Angeles lost to the 49ers last Thursday, considering he fumbled the go-ahead touchdown at the goal line. That marked his 10th career fumble, and per The Athletic, he averages around one every four games. While his production has been fine, one of the core reasons it was a risk to extend him was due to the fumbles, and he has done very little to correct that issue. He has all the potential of being one of the NFL’s top backs, yet his troubling lack of ball security in key spots is holding him back from greatness.
