The Los Angeles Rams host the Baltimore Ravens Week 12 and while the end result feels extremely predictable, the game itself might not be.
The Football Gods Could Love the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football
When the Rams battle the Ravens in the Week 12 Monday Night Football feature few will be expecting a closely fought battle to the end. Yet while it appears easy to pencil this in as another win for the hottest team in the NFL, the on-field game should be anything but easy for both teams. It appears Las Vegas agrees.
The 8-2 Ravens are winners of six straight and powering to the top of most Power Rankings. They are the only team with an offensive scoring output of over thirty points per game, well over at 34.1. In fact, this team has not failed to score 30 or above in six weeks. These games include double-digit dominance over the 9-1 New England Patriots, 8-2 Seattle Seahawks, and now-7-4 Houston Texans.
The 6-4 Rams are attempting to rediscover themselves offensively but appear shaky at best. Their season-long consistency has largely been only the constant confusion of not knowing if they’re about to turn a corner and get back to their 2018 form or fall off the playoff map. To make matters worse, the NFL now knows how to combat Sean McVay‘s offensive scheme.
So what’s with that measly three-point spread, oddsmakers?
Las Vegas Gives the Los Angeles Rams the Benefit of the Doubt
The Ravens are the overwhelming choice Monday night by nearly everyone with a voice in football. And let’s face it, on paper, it looks to be a massacre. Still, let’s not all rush to quote the raven just yet.
Most giving the Rams a fighting chance are us die-hard Rams fans. But is it all just unconditional love and blind allegiance? I seriously doubt it regarding the Las Vegas brass. So what do they know that most NFL know-it-alls do not?
I’ll gladly tell you what they don’t know with any certainty.
#Ravens blowing teams away and yet…
Over/Under 47 – Me: under…You? pic.twitter.com/WB7NFfx3vL
— Mob Times~2021 NFL Champs ★👑𝓛𝓐 𝓡𝓪𝓶𝓼👑★ (@GridDawgs247) November 25, 2019
Sometimes it’s not about what you’ve done lately, it’s about what you’re capable of doing on any given Sunday. Additionally, if you follow football you must know what Monday nights are capable of producing. This is the spotlight that inspires pep talks (and needed advice, in some cases) from NFL agents.
Yet and still, -3 points?
Defensively, the Rams Measure Up
The real deal just might be that the oddsmakers are taking the Rams defense more seriously than most. More specifically, how deep into the game Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson gets a read on it. It’s a different defense than the Rams season began with.
Two days after the Rams fell to the current NFC West-leading San Francisco 49ers, the team acquired cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Having been blasted the previous two games by a combined 85-69, multiple changes were taking place. It might have gone unnoticed but improvement was in the works then. Despite the loss, the Rams held the widely-perceived powerhouse division rivals led by Jimmy Garoppolo to a modest 20 points.
Since Ramsey’s arrival, the Rams defense has held opponents to 12 or fewer points four straight games, leading the NFL in that time span. While one can argue it wasn’t against top-tier competition, top talents Julio Jones and Juju Smith-Schuster were involved and held in check.
Scoring Points Could Be a Thing Again
And now, with the hopeful emergence of newly-starting rookie Bobby (Did Khalil Mack even play last week?) Evans at right tackle, the makeshift offensive line just might be the reason the Rams finally find their post-season form.
The Rams offense, said to be hurting — broken even and destined for doom — is actually top 12 (11th in points scored per game). Sean McVay, suddenly falling from the grace of being labeled a genius, looked himself last week adjustment-wise while looking unlike his pass-happy self.
They will likely throw more than last week when the run game was impressive and a bit more necessary against the Chicago Bears. This will be helped by the return of receivers Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods. Also helping is the reps gained by Josh Reynolds in their absence as he could make appearances.
What the Rams Must Do to Win
Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will need to dial it down a bit on the blitz packages. Focusing more on containment gives his unit a fighting chance. Lamar Jackson’s talents excel when over-pursued. Making him have to read disguised pass coverages is a must because, believe it or not, the Ravens pass protection breaks down slightly faster than the Rams (2.7 to 2.6 seconds). Phillips cannot afford to take an entire first half to figure things out. Make John Harbaugh actually have to coach his way to victory.
The performances of both Cory Littleton and Taylor Rapp will be crucial and it goes without saying that the turnover battle must be won by the home team.
If you’re not the type to only read final scores you just might be able to see what Las Vegas already knows. The Rams are a good all-around match-up for buzzsaw known as the Baltimore Ravens. Certainly better than what they’ve faced lately.
Now, if the Rams can just get that 2018 pass protection back for Goff this can be the worthwhile dog fight Monday Night Football appearances deserve.
