How did the matchups fare? Let’s have a gander below.
The Los Angeles Rams managed to churn out another impressive win and still remain undefeated.
The 8-0 Rams had some bright spots on Sunday and some that weren’t so bright.
Let’s revisit the matchups to watch from last week:
CB Marcus Peters vs WR Davante Adams
Last week’s matchup to watch:
This season has been a bit of a roller coaster for Marcus Peters as he started the season out strong, went through a rough patch while injured, and now playing very good ball again. Luckily for the Rams, it comes at a good time as they’ll see one of the better and more productive receivers in the league in Davante Adams. Adams has 47 receptions for 557 yards and six touchdowns on the season. Adams has an uncanny connection with Aaron Rodgers, so Peters and the Rams’ cornerbacks will need to be on their A-games.
This one wasn’t pretty for Peters. Davante Adams managed to catch multiple long passes over Peters, and not only that, but Peters wasn’t even remotely anywhere near Adams on multiple occasions. Adams registered five receptions for 133 yards. Once Peters had been beat multiple times he began playing off coverage which turned into a few very easy 10-yard gains. Better luck next time.
WR Robert Woods vs CB’s Kevin King/Jaire Alexander
Last week’s matchup to watch:
The Packers’ secondary is an all sorts of flux. Kevin King has only played in four games this season and only has one interception. Rookie Jaire Alexander returns after missing two games - he also has one interception on the season. Even though he’s just a rookie, Alexander is probably the Packers best cornerback. Robert Woods should have another productive day regardless of who he lines up against. His recent emergence should come as no surprise as he’s a player with many strengths and nearly no weaknesses. Woods has 41 receptions for 602 yards and three touchdowns on the year.
Robert Woods on the other hand got the best of the Packers’ secondary. Even though he only had five receptions for 70 yards, he was a key cog in the offense’s ability to move the chains and continue drives. Woods drew more more coverage from Kevin King as Jaire Alexander made most of his plays guarding Brandin Cooks.
OLB Samson Ebukam vs LT David Bakhtiari
Last week’s matchup to watch:
Even though Samson Ebukam only has two sacks (and two forced fumbles) on the season, he’s comfortably the Rams’ best edge rusher. He’ll have the honor of battling with David Bakhtiari who might be the best pass protecting left tackle in the entire league. Bak’s PFF grade of 88.9 has him ranked as the #1 OT in the league.
Samson Ebukam didn’t do anything notable in this game - which I think was fair to expect. Bakhtiari is just so damn good. Either way, the Rams will need more from their edge defenders (nothing new).
DT Aaron Donald vs QB Aaron Rodgers
Last week’s matchup to watch:
The battle of the two best players in the league happens on Sunday, and ironically, they’re both named Aaron. Donald currently leads the league with 8 sacks and is off to a legendary start to the strongest year of his career. He has a sack in four consecutive games. As for Rodgers, well, he’s three yards away from 2,000 yards with 12 touchdowns and only one single interception. In his last game, AR12 led the Packers to a tremendous 4th quarter comeback win, and now gets the Rams off of his bye week. This should be a battle for the ages.
Aaron Rodgers was good in this game. Aaron Donald was spectacular. Donald lived in Green Bay’s backfield all game. Donald had multiple pressures that lead to errant throws and stalled drives. Not only that, but he registered multiple QB hits and two more sacks on the year (one of which came at the perfect time) bringing his total up to 10. Donald is unstoppable - it’s that simple.
RT Rob Havenstein vs OLB Clay Matthews
Last week’s matchup to watch:
Rob Havenstein has enjoyed a strong upwards trajectory in his career this year to the tune of a new long term contract. This week he gets a true veteran in Clay Matthews. Matthews has certainly slowed down as a pass rusher in recent years, but he’s shown that he still has some juice. Unfortunately for Matthews, he’s been a victim of the new “weight on the QB” rule more than anyone else losing multiple sacks to it (and at awful times). Havenstein is one of the best right tackles in the league, so for the record, I do expect him to have a great game.
Clay Matthews had himself a pretty solid game registering seven tackles and one sack. I can’t remember who the sack should be attributed to, but the entirety of the offensive line struggled in the first half. The ground game was stagnant and Jared Goff was sacked five times (and pressured/hit many more) in the game. Luckily, they picked up their play and had the offense roaring in the second half. C John Sullivan particularly struggled more than the rest.
With the toughest stretch of the Rams’ schedule here, they’ve managed to step up to the task and remain undefeated.
Next week the Rams will head to New Orleans to play the Saints. The Saints are 6-0 since losing on opening weekend.
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