On paper, the Los Angeles Rams (2-1) are a more complete team than the Indianapolis Colts (3-0). But you are what your record says you are. The last time these two teams squared off was in 2023 Week 4
(ironically) at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Rams jumped out to a quick lead but allowed the Colts to get back in the game behind some special teams blunders (of course…). The Rams were able to grab the win in overtime thanks to the connection between Stafford and Nacua. 2023 was Puka’s first year in the league but a lot has changed since then. Puka has become arguably the league’s best receiver and has a new running mate in Davante Adam. Here’s how these two squads stack up this time around.
QB Breakdown: Stafford’s game against the Eagles just showed how he is just off the list for elite quarterbacks like Josh Allen. Stafford missed some throws that he would like back on 3rd down that would have kept momentum going for Los Angeles. With all that being said, Stafford’s offensive line has been one of the worst in the league yet he is still rocking a 89.7 PFF grade.
Daniel Jones has seen a resurgence under Shane Steichen. He is PFF’s No. 5 quarterback. He has not turned the ball over through the air. Jones can’t be overlooked with three quality weapons in Pittman, Downs, and Pierce
RBs Breakdown: Kyren finally made more impact in the run game. He still wasn’t explosive; finishing with 94 yards on 20 rushing attempts and only manufacturing a longest run of 13 yards. It was actually Blake Corum who stood out; averaging almost 7.0 yards per carry. Despite the lack of explosives, the Rams still managed 11 first downs through the run game.
Jonathan Taylor is the better running back heading into this matchup. In 2021, the Rams Super Bowl season, Taylor was the game’s best running back. He battled injuries in 2022 and 2023, but posted a strong season last year. An area where Taylor has made his presence felt more is in the receiving game. The Rams will need to be on alert for any halfback screens.
WRs Breakdown: Puka is Puka. #1 wide receiver continues to get it done between the 20s. Every team knows that the offense runs through him yet defenses still can’t limit his production. As I mentioned, Stafford missed some throws. The connection with Davante still hasn’t been at optimum but at least the two have connected in the endzone twice. I’d like to see Davante be the focal point even more in the redzone to ease the offense’s redzone woes. As for the WR3 position, I think we will see Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington more involved in this game. Breathe easy Tutu commenters.
Pittman, Downs, and Pierce will be Jones’s targets. None of them are world beaters but they each have unique skill sets that could pose a problem. Downs is the receiver that scares me most.
TEs Breakdown: I’d like the Rams to see the Rams make all four of their tight ends active on game day. Here’s why. Higbee and Parkinson are more useful with their size in the run game. While Allen and Ferguson provide more passing threat. I think Ferguson is another redzone option.
Tyler Warren is the more talented tight end here. A matchup to watch will be Landman & Speights in coverage against the rookie tight end.
OL Breakdown: The Rams need to show that they can pass protect otherwise they won’t be able to go deep into the playoffs. Steve Avila’s absence has affected the interior offensive line. The OL’s PFF grades are: Jackson (70.8), Dedich (46.0), Shelton (60.3), Dotson (71.2), and Havenstein (62.5). The offense needs more from the left guard spot and Havenstein. If problems persist, I highly recommend that LA looks to the trade market. Joel Bitonio was a player they were interested in back in 2019. Cleveland wasn’t willing to part with him then but now in a contract year and at 34 years of age, they could be convinced.
The Colts have a better offensive line headlined by veteran Quenten Nelson. The continuity up front has served the Colts offense line well in the early going. If there is a weak point, it’s at right tackle – Braden Smith.
DL Breakdown: Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske have combined for 1.0 sack in three games. The two have been nursing back and oblique injuries, respectively. But the group has been led by free agent signing Poona Ford (76.5 grade) and the unit’s ability to lock down the opponent’s run game. The front did a fantastic job of neutralizing Saquon Barkley. And they will need to do it again probably in January.
The Colts defensive front on paper is not significant. But they have size with DeForest Buckner (6’7” / 295) and Grover Stewart (6’4” / 315). The Rams interior will need to prove that they can move bigger interior linemen, something they struggled to do with guys like Jeffrey Simmons, Jalen Carter, and Jordan Davis.
EDGE Breakdown: This game will feature 2024 first round picks Laiatu Latu (14th overall) and Jared Verse (19th overall). Verse finally tallied his first sack last week. He might want to send an encore against the team that chose to take the UCLA edge rusher instead of him.
Latu has been stout in pass coverage and run defense but he will have to try to make an impact in his pass rush, something the Colts have had average success doing with just 7 sacks (17th in NFL).
LB Breakdown: What a difference Nate Landman makes. The linebacker has completely changed the defense’s identity. The team has only allowed 103.0 rushing yards/game (13th best in NFL) and 165.3 passing yards/game (6th best in NFL).
If there is an area for the Rams to exploit in this matchup, it’s the Colts linebackers. Zaire Franklin (67th/70) and Joe Bachie (39th/70) are two of the worst in the league.
DB Breakdown: The Rams are missing Akhello Witherspoon’s size. Emmanuel Forbes and Darious Williams will be inconsistent because of their lack of size to press guys. Cobie Durant has excelled but he too is only 5’10. Quentin Lake has played exceptionally in the past two weeks. While Curl and Kinchens have patrolled the safety spot with consistency.
ST Breakdown: There are two sides to this coin. The first is that the Rams have unlocked a cheat code on special teams with Joshua Karty and their kickoffs. Karty’s knuckleball on kickoffs is giving return teams fits. Now for the bad… the Rams must find a way to block on their kicking opportunities. Not only did the offensive line get walked back on two field goal attempts against Philadelphia, but the team also had an extra point blocked in the game at Tennessee. They must get it figured out.
The Colts special teams unit features Spencer Shrader and Rigoberto Sanchez. Shrader is 11/11 on field goal attempts within 50 yards. He missed his lone attempt from 50+ last week against Tennessee. Sanchez has just punted once in 3 games.
COACHING Breakdown: Sean McVay’s play calling received some criticism last week but I’m not sure why. The red zone area needs to be more efficient. But, Sean McVay didn’t tell Coleman Shelton to wrestle a defender onto his back for a holding call to negate a Kyren Williams rushing touchdown. Nor did he tell Stafford to miss high on two throws to Puka & Davante.
Shane Steichen is doing a masterful job of his own; guiding the Colts to a 3-0 record and reviving Daniel Jones at the quarterback position. Lua Anarumo is the defensive play caller. His teams typically drop into zone coverage for the majority of the game.
