Reviewing The X-Factors In The Rams Blowout Of The Giants
The Los Angeles Rams are now 5-1 after a blowout win against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. The offense left some plays to be made on the field and that clearly upset Sean McVay. However, the defense routinely gave the Rams a short field to work with and the result was a 38-11 win. The Rams early hiccups made it seem like they were going to play down to the now 1-5 Giants, but they picked up the pace and did what they were expected to do to a lesser team. Let’s discuss the x-factors that were pointed out prior to Sunday’s game.
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Apply Pressure
Daniel Jones had a long day. The defense did not allow him to even breathe as they were routinely pressuring him from all sides. Raheem Morris’ defense continues to be one of the best pass rushes as they pressured Jones 26 times and came away with four sacks. Aaron Donald had four pressures and split a sack with Leonard Floyd who also had four pressures. The duo of Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Terrell Lewis accounted for seven pressures and two sacks as well. It was good to see Okoronkwo make the impact I alluded to earlier in the year.
The Giants rushing attack was shut down which didn’t help Jones as he was a one-man offense that couldn’t get going. Devontae Booker and Elijhaa Penny were held to less than 60 yards rushing on 3.7 yards per carry. Jordan Fuller, Sebastian Joseph-Day, and Kenny Young led that aspect of the defense. The Rams took advantage of a weak offensive line and it resulted in a great day for the defense.
The pressure on Jones led to multiple turnovers and a short field for the Rams’ offense. Taylor Rapp intercepted Jones twice and just missed another. Robert Rochell also got the first interception of his NFL career. Okoronkwo’s sack also resulted in a fumble that was recovered by the Rams. Jones’ four turnovers were costly as the Rams ran up the score. The pressure and turnovers were some of the most important x-factors in this win.
Continue To Throw The Ball
DeSean Jackson and Van Jefferson were relative non-factors in this game. However, Matthew Stafford continued to find Cooper Kupp to the tune of 130 yards and two touchdowns. Robert Woods was targeted early a few times and came away with 31 yards and a touchdown on two receptions. Tyler Higbee didn’t have a lot of yards but came away with five receptions as well.
The Rams ran the ball well and were quite balanced but Stafford’s four touchdown performance led the offense. Jabrill Peppers, Logan Ryan, and Julian Love were picked on by Stafford as they gave up a combined 11/11 targets for 162 yards and three scores. Stafford’s continued offensive onslaught with Kupp as his wingman was one of the most exciting x-factors in the blowout.
David Edwards And Austin Corbett
The Rams’ offensive line as a whole was stellar with only six allowed pressures. Austin Corbett allowed two of those pressures while David Edwards allowed two with one being a sack. Leonard Williams was in on both sacks the offensive line gave up. It was a solid day for the guards as they kept Stafford clean and able to deliver from the pocket. Brian Allen allowed two pressures and a sack as well. The interior offensive line had a decent day though and Allen was a big part of that. The protection Stafford had in this game was one of the more critical x-factors.
Stop Allowing Explosive Plays
David Long and Rochell had struggled recently. Nobody in the secondary allowed the hobbled Giants to catch a pass over 20 yards. The secondary also didn’t allow a single touchdown. Rochell allowed 5/9 targets as Kadarius Toney had his number early on before leaving with an ankle injury. However, Rochell stepped up after that and only allowed two more catches. Ultimately Rochell only allowed a passer rating of 40.7.
Meanwhile, the Giants tried to pick on Dont’e Deayon targeting him 12 times. He allowed six receptions but a paltry 37 yards as he looked like he very much belonged on the 53 man-roster. The secondary’s play was one of the most interesting x-factors to watch as they came away with three interceptions.
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