The Los Angeles Rams continue a magical start to the season reeling off another road win and improving their unblemished record to 6-0.Let’s revisit the matchups to watch:CB Nickell Robey-Coleman vs WR Emmanuel SandersLast week’s matchup to watch:Sanders did a great job separating himself from defenders and making tough catches. Now Limited Greg Zuerlein Jersey , he did majority of his damage on the outside versus CB Troy Hill as he had two major catches against Hill that both nearly went for touchdowns (one was overturned). Sanders finished the game with seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown, but hardly any of it came against NRC.WR Robert Woods vs CB Chris Harris JrLast week’s matchup to watch:And now the Rams’ equivalent to Emmanuel Sanders, Woods torched Broncos defenders to the tune of seven receptions for 109 yards and another 12-yard rushing attempt. In a game where Brandin Cooks wasn’t really featured and Cooper Kupp went down with what looked to be a terrible injury, Woods once again stepped up as the defacto top guy. His route running ability, smooth breaks, underrated speed, and tremendous hands make him a QB friendly target. Woods now leads the Rams in both receptions and receiving yards.Rams’ run defense vs RB’s Phillip Lindsay and Royce FreemanLast week’s matchup to watch:Rolls Royce was limited to seven carries for 22 yards (2.4 YPC) and Lindsay was limited to four rushes for 18 yards (4.5 YPC) with another six receptions for 48 yards. The Rams’ run defense came to play this time around after struggling in Seattle. The Broncos essentially had nothing on the ground and routinely had to throw the ball to try and convert 3rd-and-longs. Great job bouncing back by the front-seven.OLB Samson Ebukam vs Billy TurnerLast week’s matchup to watch:This was... sort of right? Ebukam was pretty much the only edge with any impact (hardly) when he forced a strip-sack on Case Keenum. Now, unluckily for Ebukam it didn’t count because Keenum picked the ball up and nearly threw an interception to NRC on the pass. I don’t believe that’s fair to negate the sack, but the Rams’ edge defenders seriously need to find a way to be more productive.OT’s Andrew Whitworth/Rob Havenstein vs DE’s Von Miller/Bradley ChubbLast week’s matchup to watch:Chubb and Miller proved to be a major issue for the Rams’ offensive line this week, but it wasn’t necessarily just the tackles as I specifically remember a sack coming from Austin Blythe when he moved to LG (Rodger Saffold injury). Chubb and Miller combined for 4.5 sacks on the day proving just how much the Rams struggled to get the passing game going. I’ll jot this one up to some injury hiccups (Saffold Gerald Everett Jersey , Whitworth) and bad weather. Look for these maulers (who did outstanding in the running game) to bounce back next week.ILB Cory Littleton vs P Colby WadmanLast week’s matchup to watch ittleton had a great game, but it came on defense not special teams. As for Wadman, well, he punted four times for an average of 42.3 yards per punt. Who cares?Even though the game was closer than anyone hoped/expected, another tough road win for the team is a good defining moment that builds character. Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill have already developed such a strong rapport six games into their partnership that the Chiefs' quarterback has delivered passes to him just about every way possible.Right-handed. Left-handed. When Mahomes wasn't even trying.The right-handed touchdown tosses have earned plenty of attention, mostly because they tend to go for 50 or 60 yards. The left-handed completion, an improvisation under duress, was perhaps the biggest highlight to come from the Chiefs' come-from-behind win at Denver a few weeks ago.Then there was last Sunday night in New England, when Mahomes rolled to his left and appeared to be trying to find Kareem Hunt, only for Hill to swoop in and snare another touchdown reception.That one? Well Nickell Robey-Coleman Jersey Salute to Service , Mahomes wasn't going to admit who his target actually was."A magician never reveals his tricks," he said, "so I'll just leave it at that."There's been plenty of magic between Mahomes and Hill, though. Their rare skillsets have made them one of the most potent pass-catch combos in the NFL 鈥?Mahomes with the arm strength to send passes into the tightest of windows or heave them deep, and Hill with the hands to catch them and the world-class speed to beat just about any cornerback down the seam.Just ask Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore for his assessment of them."He's a great quarterback. He made some big throws," he said after the Patriots rallied for a 43-40 victory. "He got it to everybody on the field and he's a great quarterback."As for Hill, Gilmore said, "I've never seen anyone that fast. Fastest guy I've ever covered."Fellow defensive back Duron Harmon saw that elite speed when Hill caught a pass over the middle, angled toward the sideline and raced 75 yards for a touchdown. The scoring strike came with 3:03 left to play and pulled Kansas City into a 40-all tie with New England."He's by far the fastest person I've ever come in contact with," Harmon said. "If he gets anybody in that position Cooper Kupp Jersey Salute to Service , more than likely he's going to be gone. I still have to find a way to do something, to try to get him down, force him to the sideline. I've got to dive my defense a chance."Good luck with that.Hill leads the NFL with nine receptions of at least 25 yards this season, and when you combine his dangerous return talents, he has 16 plays of at least 50 yards since joining the league in 2016.Those numbers are a big reason why Mahomes is averaging 8.8 yards per attempt, third-best behind the rollercoaster Ryan Fitzpatrick of Tampa Bay and Rams quarterback Jared Goff. Mahomes also has an NFL-leading 23 completions of at least 25 yards and the top touchdown percentage in the league."He's definitely to me the most explosive person in the league," Mahomes said, "and the way he's developed as a receiver the last few years, he's going for that top spot. I know there's a lot of great receivers in the league but I'm glad I have Tyreek."Hill is equally glad to have Mahomes under center, claiming he's the first quarterback to have the arm strength to overthrow him downfield. And while that's happened a couple of times this season Authentic Tyler Higbee Jersey , they nevertheless have connected for at least 50 yards receiving in every game.That includes a seven-catch, 169-yard performance in a season-opening win over the Chargers, and a seven-catch, 142-yard performance with three TDs in last week's loss to the Patriots."I don't even know what to say about him. Pat just does a great job looking down the field and trusting us," Hill said. " at's trust lets me go out there and make a play."The banged-up Bengals get the next chance to slow down Mahomes and Hill when they visit Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night. And considering Cincinnati is allowing nearly 300 yards passing per game, and has the fourth-worst defense overall, they could be due for another big day."They do a great job of making you defend the field, and you get misdirection, motion, shifts Limited Michael Brockers Jersey , all the things they do make you responsible, and they do them with great athleticism and speed," Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis said. "We have a big challenge ahead of us."Notes: Safety Eric Berry (heel) and C Mitch Morse (concussion) were sidelined in practice Wednesday. ... Reid said new OL Jeff Allen will start off in a backup role. He started for most of four seasons in Kansas City before joining the Texans, who cut him last summer. Allen returned this week as the Chiefs tried to add some depth up front. ... FS Daniel Sorensen (broken leg) is eligible to come off injured reserve soon, though Reid said there is no timetable yet. "He's making great progress," Reid said. "He's close. We'll just see how he does here the next week." |
