The Los Angeles Rams are back on the road this week as they’ll face the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon. They’re unsurprisingly favored over Mason Rudolph and the Steelers, who will be without James Conner in the backfield.
Here are five key matchups to watch in the game – ones that could very well decide the outcome of this Week 10 contest.
Rams O-line vs. Steelers D-line
This is a big test for the Rams offensive line, particularly at both tackle spots. Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein will be up against T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree, who have 7.5 and 6.0 sacks, respectively. They’ve been one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the NFL this season, while Whitworth and Havenstein haven’t exactly had Pro Bowl seasons.
On the interior, David Edwards, Brian Allen and Austin Blythe will be tasked with blocking Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt and Javon Hargrave. Those three aren’t any easier to block, as they’ve combined for 10 sacks.
Jared Goff vs. Minkah Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick has been on a tear lately, really getting in a groove for his new team. He has three interceptions in his last two games, including a pick-six. As a centerfield safety, he’s excellent at reading route combinations and the quarterback’s eyes, which is why he has four interceptions in six games with the Steelers this season.
Goff has to manipulate Fitzpatrick with his eyes and look him off targets. If he stares down the receiver he wants to go to, Fitzpatrick will make him pay. The young safety is a big reason the Steelers rank third in the league with 11 interceptions. This will be a chess match between Goff and Fitzpatrick in the middle of the field.
Cooper Kupp vs. Mike Hilton
Hilton is a good nickel cornerback despite being undersized. He’ll be covering Kupp throughout the game as the Steelers try to take away Goff’s favorite target. Hilton is very capable of locking down Kupp in the slot, but it’s also predicated on what type of coverage the Steelers run. If it’s zone, Kupp will feast, regardless of who’s across from him.
Hilton has given up his share of key plays, allowing two touchdowns in coverage despite only being targeted 25 times. However, he ranks among the better corners in the league by allowing just 6.6 yards per target. Kupp needs to find ways to get open for Goff.
Jalen Ramsey vs. JuJu Smith-Schuster
Smith-Schuster is playing outside more this season than he did a year ago, which hasn’t exactly worked. That will certainly make things more challenging for him on Sunday with Ramsey mostly playing boundary corner instead of in the slot. Wade Phillips isn’t sure whether Ramsey will shadow Smith-Schuster, but he should at least be in coverage against him more often than not.
With the Steelers lacking another playmaker at wide receiver, it would be best for the Rams to put Ramsey on Smith-Schuster and force Mason Rudolph to target his other wideouts. Smith-Schuster is far and away Pittsburgh’s biggest threat on offense.
Dante Fowler Jr. vs. Matt Feiler
The Steelers may shuffle their offensive line this week after trying Feiler at left guard and Chuks Okafor at right tackle in practice. In all likelihood, it’ll still be Feiler at RT on Sunday, but either way, this is a favorable matchup for Fowler. He has 4.5 sacks in his last two games and will try to keep up that pace in Pittsburgh.
The Rams will most likely be welcoming back Clay Matthews, too, but Fowler has become the go-to pass rusher next to Aaron Donald. Phillips would love for him to continue the tear he’s been on with a sack or two more against the Steelers.
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