Turf Show Times
‘Tis the season for Thanksgiving and football. The Los Angeles Rams (9-2) travel to Charlotte, NC for a Week 13 matchup against the Carolina Panthers (6-6). Last week, the LA Rams dismantled the TB Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football in just the first half alone. Matthew Stafford and the offense scored 24 points while Aubrey Pleasant’s secondary collected another interception, a Cobie Durant pick-six. The secondary has been one of the biggest surprises amongst Los Angeles’s depth chart. Despite missing Darious Williams, Akhello Witherspoon, and Quentin Lake at various points in the year, the secondary has gotten even better in the second half of the season. Let’s take a look at how the Rams and Panthers matchup going into Sunday…
QB Breakdown: Matthew Stafford is on a heater right now. 27 straight touchdowns without an interception. But are we that surprised? His legacy and resume for the Hall of Fame continues to grow week by week.
Bryce Young, also a first overall pick – 2023, continues to be up and down in his career. The third year quarterback has 15 touchdowns to 9 interceptions. His completion percentage is a sub par 62.7%.
RB Breakdown: The Rams did not need to rely on Kyren Williams against Tampa Bay as the emphasis on offense was to throw the ball against a depleted Bucs secondary. Kyren should be fresh for Los Angeles has he only has 170 rushing attempts this year (15.4 attempts per year). Last year he averaged 19.7 attempts per game.
Rico Dowdle has been the engine for the Panthers offense. His 5.0 yards/carry has allowed the Carolina offense to be in manageable down and distances. The Panthers are not hesitant to get him involved in the passing game as well.
WR Breakdown: To quote Remember the Titans: “Jerry tells the jokes, Dean sings the songs and gets the girl.” Puka Nacua gets the yards. Davante Adams gets the all touchdowns. Don’t forget too that Tutu Atwell will be returning from a hamstring injury which will stretch the field; allowing Puka and Davante to work the middle of the field when the team operates in 11 personnel.
The Panthers wide receivers are led by rookie Tetairoa McMillan (78.8 PFF grade). McMillan has been targeted 96 times compared to Xavier Legette, the next closest at 51 targets. McMillan has 783 receiving yards and five touchdowns while Legette has 286 yards with three touchdowns.
TE Breakdown: With Tyler Higbee out, Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen carried the tight end room in Week 12. Parkinson: 4 receptions, 41 yards, 1 touchdown and Allen: 3 receptions, 29 yards were used heavily in play action and in the screen game.
Tommy Tremble, Ja’Tavion Sanders, and Mitchell Evans all have double digit receptions, 100+ receiving yards, and at least one touchdown. But none of them have exceeded 200 receiving yards on the year. I don’t expect the LA defense to be too concerned with Carolina’s tight ends.
OL Breakdown: No Rob Havenstein? No problem. Like I said...
