St. Louis Rams vs. Baltimore Ravens: Full St. Louis Game Preview
The St. Louis Rams (4-5) will take on the Baltimore Ravens (2-7) for the first regular-season matchup between these two teams since the 2011 season.
Optimism was at an all-time high two weeks ago when the Rams owned a 4-3 record. The team was coming off a win streak and possessed a seemingly unstoppable defense and run game. Now, after just two games, the good feelings and excitement surrounding this season have almost completely vanished.
The defeat to Minnesota two weeks ago was a tough road loss but certainly understandable. The Rams were playing a solid playoff-caliber team on the road. However, last week's home loss to the lowly Chicago Bears was a complete nightmare. Not only did the Rams choke in that game, but they weren't even competitive. It was a 37-13 blowout.
The Rams need a major road win in Baltimore this week if they want any hope of reclaiming the 2015 season. If St. Louis doesn't come up big this Sunday and go on a run, it'll be yet another season of mediocrity for the Rams.
Fortunately, these aren't the same Ravens. At 2-7, Baltimore is well on its way to having its worst season since 2007 (5-11). Road games are never easy in the NFL, but there's no reason the Rams shouldn't pull this one off, so long as they show up.
Read on for a preview on the game, including the latest headlines, matchup analysis and more.
News and Notes
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Case Keenum Taking Over at Quarterback
The biggest headline of the week was Jeff Fisher's Monday announcement. According to NFL.com, Fisher confirmed that he has benched Nick Foles and will start Case Keenum against Baltimore.
This move comes as no surprise to anyone who has watched Foles play in recent weeks. He threw five touchdowns in his first four starts and initially had the offense under control. However, after his four-interception debacle in Green Bay during Week 5, he hasn't been the same. He has just two touchdown passes in the last five games.
It's hard to explain Foles' decline. It's possible there's an unreported issue with his health, or perhaps it's just a confidence issue. Either way, the Rams cannot depend on him. He's missing wide-open receivers, overthrowing the ball and appears completely incapable of running the offense.
It's doubtful Keenum will be a savior, but he does offer decent mobility and the ability to extend plays. He can't be any worse than Foles has been in recent weeks and may even breathe some life into the offense.
Isaiah Battle Promoted from Practice Squad
According to Joe Lyons of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Rams have activated offensive lineman Isaiah Battles from the practice squad. He's now on the 53-man roster.
The move comes in response to the Jamon Brown injury in Sunday's game against the Bears. According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, the injury is season-ending, so Battle's promotion is likely permanent.
St. Louis acquired Battle in the summer's supplemental draft. The selection will cost the Rams a fifth-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft. The Clemson product was raw in training camp—too raw to make the final roster—but he boasts excellent upside.
It's doubtful Battle will immediately start with the offense, but he'll certainly provide depth moving forward.
Latest Injury News
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Chris Long May Make His Return in Baltimore
St. Louis defensive end Chris Long has been out of action since Week 5. It's still unclear if he'll be ready for Baltimore, but things are looking up.
According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, Long's knee injury is coming along nicely, and he could play this Sunday.
Per the report, Long said:
"(I feel) really good. Like I said before, it’s not a ligament, I didn’t have to have surgery like last year. The bone just had to heal from fracture. So it’s not like something when you’re back, you’re dragging around. It’s not going to be like last year, when I came back and I sucked and I was terrible. I was awful. So when I’m back, I’m back. I’m really excited to help the team however I can. And I just miss being out here.
"
The return of Long would be a welcome boost on defense.
Tim Barnes and Rob Havenstein Dealing with Injuries
The loss of Brown at guard is tough enough for the St. Louis offense. On top of that, the Rams are also dealing with injuries to their starting center and right tackle.
According to the Associated Press via USA Today, center Tim Barnes has missed practice this week with concussion symptoms. Barnes has started every game for St. Louis this season, but second-year pro Demetrius Rhaney will step in if Barnes is not good to go.
Right tackle Rob Havenstein was held out of practice with a calf injury. If he's not ready for Sunday, Garrett Reynolds will jump outside to play tackle.
The Rams desperately need both starting linemen in the lineup, or else Keenum's first start with the Rams could be a long one.
Top Matchups
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Janoris Jenkins vs. Crockett Gillmore
Tight end Crockett Gillmore has been a fairly consistent part of the Baltimore offense this season. The second-year pro missed two weeks but still has 284 yards receiving. He’s averaging more than 40 yards per game.
That’s not overly impressive, but now that Steve Smith Sr. is out with an Achilles injury, Gillmore becomes the key part of Baltimore’s aerial attack. That means Janoris Jenkins will be partially responsible for containing him.
Since Gillmore is a tight end, he’ll see a healthy dose of the St. Louis linebackers in coverage. However, Jenkins has been playing at a Pro Bowl level, so the Rams will likely want to stick their best coverage guy on Gillmore, at least in certain situations.
Marshal Yanda vs. Aaron Donald
For the St. Louis defense to thrive and have a comeback game, the Rams need the defensive line to dominate—particularly Aaron Donald, who has a fairly tough matchup this week.
Donald will line up across from Baltimore right guard Marshal Yanda. The four-time Pro Bowler is arguably the top guard in the NFL. In fact, Pro Football Focus ranks No. 1 among all guards, with an overall grade of 28.9.
However, Donald also ranks No. 1 overall at his position with a grade of 41.9. A dominant defensive lineman beats the elite offensive lineman in a typical scenario, but the Rams need Donald to do more than slightly best Yanda. Donald needs to wreak havoc.
This will be a fun battle to watch. If Donald comes out ahead, the Rams would be in good shape.
Matchup X-Factors
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Can Keenum Elevate the Offense?
This game pretty much comes down to whether or not Keenum can succeed where Foles failed. The Rams need something—anything—to spark the passing game, and they’re hoping that can be Keenum.
The Rams rank dead-last in the NFL in passing, averaging just 178.7 yards per game. The production through the air has been beyond pathetic, and something must be done. The benching of Foles was 100 percent deserved.
The last-place ranking is not acceptable. Believe it or not, St. Louis has weapons at its disposal. With three catches and 32 yards during his limited debut last week, Wes Welker proved he can still play. Brian Quick, Kenny Britt and Jared Cook have all been productive at one point in time.
It’s just a matter of execution and getting the football to the receivers. If Keenum can help with that, the offense will be better off.
Can Todd Gurley Have a Monster Game?
While the passing game certainly needs a boost, the Rams must remember they’re a run-first offense. Apparently, they forgot that last week against Chicago.
Gurley carried the ball just 12 times in that loss, which is completely unacceptable. He’s the biggest threat on the offense by a mile. If the Rams don’t feed him the football, they’re basically throwing in the towel and allowing the opposing defense to dominate.
After gaining well over 100 yards in each of his first four starts, Gurley has gone two straight games without hitting the 100-yard mark. He has 189 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in the last two games, so he has hardly been contained. It’s just a matter of feeding him the football and creating opportunities.
The Rams are 3-1 when Gurley exceeds 100 yards rushing. It’s essential for the Rams to get him going.
Prediction: Rams 17, Ravens 10
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Talk about a tough prediction.
Baltimore has been totally futile this season, yet the Rams have been imploding the last two weeks. It’s coin flip as to who’ll be less awful this Sunday. It could certainly be an ugly game.
In the end, regardless of what St. Louis has going on with its offense, it’s safe to have faith in the defense. Between both teams, there’s no question the St. Louis defense will be the best unit stepping onto the field this Sunday. The team with the best overall unit should find a way to win.
That’s not to say it will be an easy win or that it won’t get ugly, but despite what has happened the last two weeks, there’s no reason the Rams should lose this game.
There’s a solid chance Keenum’s first start will be a boost rather than a burden. Baltimore’s No. 10-ranked run defense might slow Gurley down, but that shouldn’t be a major issue in what promises to be a low-scoring affair.
The Rams should pull ahead in a defensive slugfest.
Prediction: Rams 17, Ravens 10
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