The Rams and Ravens will close out Week 12 on Monday night, squaring off at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. This is a big game for both teams, with Baltimore needing a win to keep pace with the Patriots atop the AFC, while the Rams must win to avoid falling two games behind the final wild-card spot.
It’s going to take strong play from all of the Rams’ starters and a few key backups, but five players, in particular, will have a huge impact on the outcome of this game.
These are the five most important players for the Rams in Week 12.
DT Aaron Donald
The Rams haven’t faced an offense like Baltimore’s, but the Ravens also haven’t gone up against a player of Donald’s caliber. He has the ability to completely wreck an offense’s game plan with his ability to split double-teams and get into the backfield in the blink of an eye. His quickness will have a big impact on the Ravens’ read-option plays, forcing Jackson to make a decision faster than he normally does.
Donald’s pass-rush ability allows the Rams to get pressure on quarterbacks without blitzing. Jackson has been excellent against the blitz this season, so getting pressure with only four rushers is huge, if the Rams can do it. Donald’s penchant for creating negative plays will also put the Ravens in worse situations than they’re used to.
QB Jared Goff
Goff has not had a very good season and his struggles have really held the offense back. Now, he’s going up against a defense that has allowed fewer points since Week 7 than any team not named the Rams. And to make matters worse, a guy who practiced against him every day for a season and a half is lining up on the other side.
Goff must take care of the football against a secondary that features incredible depth at cornerback with Marcus Peters, Marlon Humphrey, Jimmy Smith and Brandon Carr. At safety, Earl Thomas is a star, as well. The Ravens have forced nine turnovers in their last four games, while Goff has thrown 10 interceptions and fumbled it nine times this season.
Goff can’t commit costly turnovers and give the Ravens short fields with which to work. If he does, this game will go sideways in a hurry.
LB Cory Littleton
The Ravens run the ball better than any team in the NFL. Whether it’s with Jackson, Mark Ingram or Gus Edwards, they have no trouble moving the ball on the ground. This game is going to put Littleton at the forefront, needing to step up and have a great performance against the Ravens’ rushing attack.
Eye discipline will be key for Littleton with all the deception Baltimore uses on offense. He can’t bite on play action, or commit one way too hard when Jackson uses the read-option. A false first step could create a big play for Jackson on the ground, and it’s those explosive plays that Los Angeles has to limit.
Littleton will also be a contributor in coverage against the Ravens’ running backs and tight ends.
S Taylor Rapp
Rapp could be in for a big game against the Ravens, as he’ll have his number called in coverage and against the run often. Rapp has been a great safety in the box since John Johnson went down, using his awareness and short-area quickness to wrap up ball carriers near the line of scrimmage.
Essentially playing a linebacker role next to Littleton, Rapp should have at least six tackles in this game. Rapp is the best tackler on the team, too, missing just one attempt all season. Keeping Jackson contained is priority No. 1 and having a safety like Rapp helps immensely.
Against the pass, Rapp will likely be asked to cover Jackson’s No. 1 target, tight end Mark Andrews. If he can limit Andrews’ production, it’ll go a long way toward the Rams winning this game.
WR Cooper Kupp
Kupp has been held in check, for the most part, the last two weeks, catching just three of seven targets for 53 yards – 50 yards of which came on one play. The Steelers blanked him in Week 10 and the Rams lost that game 17-12, doing next to nothing on offense. That’s not a coincidence.
Kupp needs a strong performance against the Ravens in order for the Rams to have success on offense. He’s been the Rams’ best playmaker on that side of the ball this season and Goff’s favorite target. His ability to make plays after the catch greatly benefits Goff, too, taking pressure off him to push the ball downfield.
