Ravens vs Rams: Monday Night Preview

Ravens vs Rams: Monday Night Preview

The Ravens play the Rams in LA this week on Monday night.  The Ravens have been on a 7 game winning streak while the Rams have a four-game streak of their own. Let's take a look at who got the best chances to win on Monday night primetime.

Offense

Ravens- The Ravens have been one of the most dominant teams this season. The passing game has been adequate and at times very lethal. Jackson's improved passing is the critical part to this formula. He has reliable right ends as well as a good deep threat in Marquise Brown. He doesn't need it to win, as the running game for this team has been historic. They are averaging over 200 yards on the ground. This is the first time since 1978 has a team average over 200 yards on the ground. The three-headed monster of Jackson, Ingram and Edward's can confuse people with power, speed, and misdirection.  

Rams- This offense is a complete 180 from last year's powerful juggernaut. It has averaged over 10 points less per game and the star power has done the job. Goff looks a mix of rookie year Goff and last season Goff. As well, Todd Gurley and his knee problems have been shown to be a bit more worrisome than first expressed.  Now of lately, they have been trying to put together a more solid approach with power football and a max protect passing game. The offense has less slot of key players either to free agent or injury, but the drop off has been significant.  

Defense 

Ravens- The offensive juggernaut counterparts are starting to catch up.  The defense has held its last four opponents under 20 points. They have finally found their formula for putting pressure on the opposition with a blitz heavy scheme. As well as they have been a turnover factory the last few games including either a pick or fumble in each of the last five games. That includes four defensive touchdowns over that same span, with Marcus Peter's having two pick-sixes. This defense is shutting down the likes of Russell Wilson, Tom Brady, and Deshaun Watson and has only been going up. 

Rams- The offense for the Rams has been suspect,  yet the defense is showing that the strong performance from the Superbowl can be replicated.  They have been getting hotter as the season went on. They have been more dominant of late after acquiring Jalen Ramsey from the Jaguars. They have been holding down their last three opponents to under 20 points as well and still have one of the most impactful players of recent memory; Aaron Donald. You may have not heard as much from him this year, but his pressures and sacks are still getting to the opposing quarterback and forcing turnovers for the team. 

Special Teams

Ravens- With the most accurate kicker in history in Justin Tucker the Ravens still have a strong special team. When you include Sam Koch as one of the most reliable punters in flipping field positions this is a strong unit that complains the other units great. 

Rams- The special teams unit for the Rams are playing great this season. Greg Zuerlein has been playing exceptionally well only missing five total field goals in the season and making all of his PAT attempts.  While Johnny Hekker has been his reliable field flipping self by pins opponents within the 10-yard line 11 times this season. This team is also covering well and not allowing any long returns so the public ting and kicking holds firm. 

Prediction 

Ravens 38- Rams 24

I believe the Rams is a strong playoff contender, but the Ravens this season has been super bowl contenders. They are a team that from top to bottom is scary and only getting stronger as the season wears on. If you have to answer the question, which team would you not want to play in the playoffs, it's the Ravens. A dominant running game, a defense that has been increasingly getting scarier and special teams that is consistently one of the best will be a tough task for a Rams team that is clearly having a Super Bowl hangover. 

-By: Darren Braxton