Rams desperate for MNF win over Ravens
The Los Angeles Rams were in the Super Bowl last year. Now they are fighting simply to reach the playoffs.
At 6-4, the Rams are sitting third in the NFC West behind the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. Catching either seems far-fetched with Los Angeles already having lost to both, including the 49ers at the L.A. Coliseum. The best path seems to go through the wild card, where they likely need to beat out the Minnesota Vikings.
But what record gets the job done? Do the Rams need to win 11 or 12 games? Probably. Additionally, a mark of 12-4 or 11-5 puts them at least in the conversation of catching Seattle or San Francisco, considering they play each one more time. The 49ers also have a brutal schedule remaining including the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles and Seattle. A gauntlet, to be sure.
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Still, it all starts on Monday night. After handing the Chicago Bears on Sunday night, the Rams now welcome in the Ravens for prime-time tilt. Baltimore is 8-2 and playing arguably the best ball win the league, powered by MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and an aggressive, ball-hawking defense. Said defense was bolstered a month ago when Rams general manager Les Snead sent cornerback Marcus Peters to the Ravens for a late-round pick, freeing up room to acquire cornerback Jalen Ramsey for a pair of first-round choices from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The move has jump-started Peters. The same man who struggled some in Los Angeles is now thriving in Charm City, already scoring twice on interceptions. This week, former Rams teammates spoke of Peters and his recent success, per the team site:
“When you’ve got two pick sixes, it’s hard not to see that,” running back Todd Gurley said, when asked if he has followed Peters’ games with the Ravens. “We still stay in touch. If he ever needs anything from me I’ve got family there, I’d definitely look out for him. That’s my guy. He’s going to always be my guy. I definitely still stay in contact with him.”
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With a victory over Peters and the Ravens, the Rams would climb to 7-4 with a palatable slate remaining. Los Angeles still has the key aforementioned games with Seattle (at home) and San Francisco (away), along with dates against the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals twice. Not easy, but doable if Los Angeles gets rolling.
It starts with the Ravens and Peters on Monday night.
