The Rams enter Week 15 with a better record than the Cowboys, but Los Angeles needs a win more desperately than Dallas does. This isn’t going to be an easy victory by any means, either.
The Rams have to be careful not to overlook a talented Cowboys team that currently sits at 6-7. Here are the three biggest concerns Los Angeles faces on Sunday.
Slowing down Ezekiel Elliott
The Cowboys offense doesn’t go through Elliott as much as it did in years past, but he’s still a focal point. He can beat a defense on the ground or as a receiver, and while he’s not breaking off big runs this year, he does wear opponents down by consistently picking up chunks of yardage.
The Rams have been excellent against the run this season, except for the Ravens game, and the defense will need to be on top of its game Sunday afternoon. Missed tackles on Elliott will prove to be costly and will keep the Cowboys offense on the field longer than the Rams would like.
Covering Amari Cooper
Jalen Ramsey said he remembers his last matchup with Cooper not because he held the former Raiders wideout to one catch for 4 yards, but because of how good Cooper was. He admitted Cooper got the better of him, Derek Carr just wouldn’t look his way often.
Dak Prescott won’t be so reluctant and Ramsey should get at least 7-10 passes sent his way on Sunday. Cooper is a player who can go off for 200-plus yards if a defense isn’t careful, not only because he gets open so easily thanks to his route running, but because he’s dangerous after the catch.
Having Ramsey helps a lot, but the Rams have to be concerned about Cooper running wild this weekend.
Blocking Cowboys’ edge rushers
Robert Quinn and DeMarcus Lawrence have wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks and backfields all season. It’s one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the NFL and one that’s going to really test Andrew Whitworth and Bobby Evans or Rob Havenstein.
Jared Goff has gotten great protection in recent weeks, but having to block Quinn and Lawrence will be a real test for the Rams’ tackles. If Goff can’t get comfortable in the pocket, the offense will be out of rhythm all day long.
