Turf Show Times
The Los Angeles Rams (3-2) are traveling to the east coast for the third time already this year to face the Baltimore Ravens (1-4). I believe the Rams are better than what their 3-2 record indicates but you are what your record says you are. The running back position, secondary breakdowns, and special teams woes have held Los Angeles back from reaching their potential. Where do I rank them going into their Week 6 tilt with Baltimore? Check out my position by position breakdown for each team below.
QB Breakdown: Who had Matthew Stafford leading the NFL in passing yards after five weeks on their bingo card? Especially after he missed the majority of training camp because of his back injury. Stafford also leads all quarterbacks in 20+ yard throws, longest throw, and is tied for first with Prescott in first downs. Stafford has been nearly dominant to start the NFL season and doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.
The Ravens will likely be without Lamar Jackson for a second straight week due to his lingering hamstring injury. With the bye week next week, it would seem that Baltimore would ensure that Lamar is healthy and able to return as the starter for Week 8. Cooper Rush seems destined to get the start again.
RBs Breakdown: The concerns of Kyren Williams have not gone away. Ball security remains a significant issue. Williams and Corum had accounted for 3 fumbles lost in 5 games. The yards per rush has been a bright spot but the explosive yards are still not there.
The Ravens offense runs through Derrick Henry. The 10 year vet is averaging 5.0 yards per carry and has found the endzone four times. Maybe the most shocking piece has been Henry having yet to eclipse 20 rushing attempts in a game this year.
WRs Breakdown: Puka Nacua continues to lead the offense (and NFL) in receiving with 588 yards. He found the endzone again via a creative play design by McVay to use Adams as a shield within the redzone. As for Davante Adams, he is putting together an under the radar season as WR2. He brought in 5 receptions (11 targets) for 88 yards against the 49ers. He is currently on pace for 1214 yards and 10 touchdowns. Pretty elite numbers for a WR2. Tutu Atwell continues to show up big moments. JB Long highlighted this in his 1 on 1 show with Sean McVay. If there was a player that was hurt most by Stafford’s training camp absence, it was Tutu Atwell. Some people might point to Adams but as a seasoned veteran, you’ve seen his ability to still get connected with Stafford.
The Ravens wide receiver room is actually very talented with Flowers, Bateman, and Hopkins; giving Baltimore its best core this century? But who can they get the ball in their hands? Maybe to some degree like Los Angeles, Baltimore has been one dimensional in how they are distributing their targets. Currently...
