Behind Enemy Lines: Scouting the Rams ahead of Week 11…

Behind Enemy Lines: Scouting the Rams ahead of Week 11 game

The Seahawks got upset by the Rams at home back in Week 1. Now they have the opportunity to return the favor on Sunday when they visit their division rivals at SoFi Stadium.

To learn more, we spoke with Rams Wire managing editor Cam DaSilva. Here are a few questions he answered about how his team is doing.

How has Matt Stafford been performing since Week 1?

It’s been a little bit up and down. His numbers are hardly impressive with just eight touchdown passes and seven interceptions, but some of those picks weren’t his fault. Earlier in the season, he was making some really impressive throws all over the field, but in his last few games, he’s made some costly mistakes and forced the ball to Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua a bit too much. I expect him to get back on track this week as long as the thumb is fully healed.

What's the idea behind signing Carson Wentz?

It was primarily about finding a capable backup behind Stafford in case he gets hurt again. Stetson Bennett is unlikely to play this season as he remains on the NFI list, and Brett Rypien was a disaster against the Packers in Week 9. Sean McVay saw one game of Rypien leading the offense, taking bad sacks and making errant throws and felt he needed someone more proven behind Stafford. I can’t imagine Wentz playing a single game unless Stafford goes down but at least he’s someone who can maybe keep the ship afloat if things do go south.

The Rams are averaging less than 20 points per game. What's going on there?

They rank 14th in yards per game and 10th in yards per possession, which is decent considering the injuries they’ve dealt with. They’ve just had terrible starting field position (30th in NFL) and they have far too many games where the offense goes cold for an entire half. Better third-down efficiency and improved starting field position would certainly help them put more points on the board because they have moved the ball relatively well at times.

Not counting Aaron Donald, who's the defensive MVP?

That’s a tough call, but I’d lean toward Ernest Jones. He’s their defensive signal caller and leader in the middle of the field, doing everything from covering to stopping the run to blitzing up the middle. He’s a do-it-all linebacker who can help in several different ways, and he was seriously missed by the Rams in Week 9 when he was sidelined by a knee injury. Rookie edge rusher Byron Young has also been a valuable piece on defense.

Predictions for Sunday's game?

I keep going back and forth on this one. On one hand, the Seahawks are a better team now than they were in Week 1. On the other, the Rams steamrolled them without Kupp and are now fresh off a bye where just about everyone besides Kyren Williams is available. I think the Rams win a close one at home, knowing they’re in must-win territory and currently riding a three-game losing streak. Rams 23, Seahawks 20.