Los Angeles Rams X-Factors To Watch Against The Giants

Los Angeles Rams Hit The Practice Field Ahead Of Their Week 6 Matchup Against The New York Giants. Photo Credit: Brevin Townsell | LA Rams
Los Angeles Rams Hit The Practice Field Ahead Of Their Week 6 Matchup Against The New York Giants. Photo Credit: Brevin Townsell | LA Rams

Los Angeles Rams X-Factors To Watch Against The Giants

The 4-1 Los Angeles Rams are heading to MetLife Stadium for a week six matchup with the 1-4 New York Giants. The Rams made it through an early-season gauntlet and now have an easier road the next few games. First up is the Giants. We’ve seen the Rams play down to lesser opponents before and lose critical games in the playoff race. For that reason, the Rams need to approach this like any other test. This team has a chance to potentially take the NFC West lead within the next few weeks with the Arizona Cardinals coming up on some tough games. Let’s take a look at this week’s x-factors to watch against the Giants.

Apply Pressure

Daniel Jones looks like he will clear concussion protocol and play against the Rams. That’s fine, the Rams have faced better quarterbacks. As long as the Rams can apply pressure to Jones consistently, he doesn’t stand a chance at beating the Rams himself. That is exactly what he will have to do if the Giants have a shot at winning because Saquon Barkley will be out due to an ankle injury. Kenny Golladay looks to miss this game as well, meaning Jones is missing one of his best receivers.

The Giants’ offensive line is not very good. Nate Solder has given up 19 pressures already along with 3 penalties. Meanwhile, turnstile Billy Price has allowed 9 pressures and 3 penalties. Guards, Ben Bredeson, and Will Hernandez have accounted for 15 pressures and 3 penalties as well. This unit is not very good and the Rams have been able to win against almost everyone this year. Currently, the Rams are second in pressures and fifth in sacks.

Aaron Donald hasn’t had his multi-sack performance yet but I expect this week to change that. The Giants’ interior offensive line doesn’t stand a chance so long as Sebastian Joseph-Day continues his excellent play. The edge rushers present a problem for New York as well. Leonard Floyd and Terrell Lewis have both been on a tear. The Rams’ ability to pressure Jones and force turnover-worthy plays will be one of the most important x-factors to watch against the Giants.

Continue To Throw The Ball

Matthew Stafford has been off at times but despite that, he is still looking like one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL right now. The offense has a much easier test this week than recently. This would be the perfect week for Stafford and the Rams to finally clean up some of those miscues and get hot again. Cooper Kupp continues to be one of the best weapons in the NFL this year and Robert Woods and Stafford appear to have gotten on the same page finally in Seattle.

Meanwhile, Van Jefferson continues to ascend and look the part of a potential 1,000-yard receiver someday. As if that wasn’t enough, DeSean Jackson is still as fast as ever and one of the best deep threats in the league. The Giants’ defense isn’t great this year. Even James Bradberry doesn’t look good. He has allowed over 300 yards and 4 touchdowns to go with a 117.1 passer rating. Sean McVay should attack him as the last two weeks he is averaging 24 yards per reception.

Adoree’ Jackson is also allowing a passer rating of 100.3 and gave up 88 yards to the Dallas Cowboys last week. McVay’s passing attack will be one of the most thrilling x-factors to watch this week.

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David Edwards And Austin Corbett

We all know interior pressure on a quarterback tends to be difficult to contend with. The Giants leaders in pressures are Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence, respectively, with 13 and 12 pressures each. The offensive line needs to protect Stafford to let him continue to air it out. That starts with David Edwards and Austin Corbett this week.

The two guards need to continue their solid play and shut down the Giants’ interior attack. Most likely, the plan will be to let Brian Allen assist on double teams to shut that down. I have a lot of confidence in their ability to do just that. Keeping Stafford comfortable in the pocket will be one of the more critical x-factors in this game.

Stop Allowing Explosive Plays

In recent weeks we have seen David Long and Robert Rochell allow some big receptions. In addition, Darious Williams is out with an ankle injury for the next few weeks. Raheem Morris’ secondary must step up. With Golladay out that makes it a little easier. The Rams should be able to key in on the Giants passing attack with Barkley out.

Evan Engram is a threat, especially as a mismatch with the Rams linebackers, however, I expect Kadarius Toney to be the main threat this week. Toney has caught 16 passes for 267 yards in the last two weeks. I have all the confidence that the Rams secondary can play well this week.

The Rams committee approach to replacing Williams and covering the slot is something to watch this week. Hopefully Long and Rochell can grow from their recent struggles. It would be great to see Terrell Burgess finally get some playing time this Sunday.

Ultimately, how the Rams secondary responds to recent struggles and being shorthanded will be one of the most interesting x-factors to watch against the Giants.

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Los Angeles Rams Hit The Practice Field Ahead Of Their Week 6 Matchup Against The New York Giants. Photo Credit: Brevin Townsell | LA Rams

Los Angeles Rams Hit The Practice Field Ahead Of Their Week 6 Matchup Against The New York Giants. Photo Credit: Brevin Townsell | LA Rams