Rams-Seahawks: Key matchups

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 29, 2010 7:24 AM CST in 2010 St. Louis Rams season

Steven Jackson of the St. Louis Rams doesn't have an easy matchup against Seattle this week.

I just don't have any hyperbole left for this week's game against the Seattle Seahawks. The St. Louis Rams are one win away from the playoffs, one win away from making an amazing worst-to-first turnaround from the 1-15 team of 2009.

As a little mid-week preview, I thought we'd run down a few of the key matchups for this week's game. Hyperbole-less matchups after the jump.

Rams offensive line vs. Seattle defensive line

For all their troubles on offense, Seattle is still doing a good job against the run. LaGarrett Blount rushed for 164 yards last week, but they held Atlanta and San Francisco, their previous two opponents, to less than 100 total rushing yards. Seattle's defense will be keyed in on two things, stopping Steven Jackson and trying to pressure Sam Bradford. Where the Seattle run defense does a really good job is limiting yardage at the second level. Speedier backs like Jamaal Charles and Darren McFadden have had lots of success. Runs on the outside will be key.

DE Chris Clemons vs. LT Rodger Saffold

Clemons leads the team with 10.5 sacks, but his production has tailed off some lately. He has three total sacks in his last six games. Nevertheless, he had two sacks against the Rams when these two teams first met back in week 4, and Seattle will be looking to bring lots of pressure to assist a weak secondary.

WR Mike Williams vs CB Ron Bartell

Williams has been a comeback story this season, and might have been even better if Seattle hadn't dealt with QB and protection issues all year. The Rams held him to just 32 yards on 4 catches last time they met. Depending on who starts at QB, Williams will be seeing a lot of the Rams' Bartell.

Rams OLBs vs. Seattle short passing game

If Charlie Whitehurst starts expect the Seahawks to target the short field in the passing game. He didn't throw a single pass for more than 15 yards last week. That could present a matchup problem for the Rams who lack for good coverage from their OLBs.

DE James Hall vs. LT Russell Okung

Hall had 2 sacks the last time these two teams met, and while Hall got the numbers, Chris Long did a lot to break down the Seahawks protection. The Rams will need the front four to apply pressure in heavy doses this week, regardless of who starts at QB for Seattle. Seattle's offense has really struggled down the stretch, and taking away their passing game would keep points off the board.

Other matchups we need to talk about?

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Comments

1st cool this is the first time this has happened

How about Sam Bradford vs. Earl Thomas?? Both were top picks in last years draft and thomas picked off bradford in the first meeting between the hawks and rams.

Also Steven jackson vs. Aaron Curry. SJ doesn’t get amped up about opposing players all that often but Curry has been an exception. Those two hate each other and it’ll be interesting to see who gets the better of the other.

by clemtiger08 on Dec 29, 2010 7:46 AM CST reply actions

aaron curry has been a monster bust

I’m not worried

by RamsFan7 on Dec 29, 2010 9:31 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Stats wise, I would argue that because their team sux too

If he sux, will find out in “prime-time”, yee haw

by jlcdb70 on Dec 29, 2010 11:29 AM CST up reply actions

i meant more on the mental side of things

just the way that they get in each others face and such. Less of a performance matchup and just a drama-matchup

by clemtiger08 on Dec 30, 2010 3:11 AM CST up reply actions

Saffold said Chris Clemmons was the hardest person to block against

that he has been up against just last week on the rams chat.

by stlfan2004 on Dec 29, 2010 8:13 AM CST reply actions

what about the matchup of

Adam Goldberg vs. Adam Goldberg….he has struggled against himself all year long and no one destroys Goldbergs game more than Goldberg…it will be intresting to watch him bend or break against himself.

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill

by SMASH44 on Dec 29, 2010 8:39 AM CST reply actions

You could say the same for

Jacob Bell.

by 81 Witness on Dec 29, 2010 11:24 AM CST up reply actions

How about...

Donnie Jones/Josh Brown vs. Leon Washington?

by Ramfan from Seattle on Dec 29, 2010 9:55 AM CST reply actions

Bench

Bench Josh Brown and score more touchdown.

by JW Coop on Dec 29, 2010 10:17 AM CST reply actions

Let's be real - Rams have a huge task coming-up

To win menas zero turnovers and playing calm all-game-long.

Also, I would like to see a heavy dose of blitzing (no-packages) early in the game. Later, change-up the blitz schemes to confuse their qb. While blitzing, I would like the cb’s to jamb the wr’s at the line to disrupt timing. The last game the Rams played a fresh qb (T. Smith), they did not make attempts to disrupt the qb/wr timing. If they had defensively done that, Rams probably would have killed the 49er’s that game in SF.

Offensively, I would like to see the qb throw more out and ups to rb Jackson outta the backfield to open-up space for inside hand-off run plays. Also, I would like to see more counter-pitches where defense initially moves one way before recognizing the play. As the game goes forward, defense will stretch out sideways more to cover the outside which will make the interior line blocking much easier for opening holes for the Ram rb’s. Then, when the lb’s and a db move into the box to compensate for the stretched wider defense, then passing routes open up for the shitty arse Ram receivers to have an easier opportunity to catch-the-ball and have YAC gains.

Also, I want SAM Brdaford to start using the pump-fake and perfect its artistry – He needs to do this as a top-tier qb in this league. Then, when he sits down, he better be looking at paperwork from the booth like Brees, manning, etc……

by jlcdb70 on Dec 29, 2010 11:37 AM CST reply actions

I think that first match-up

our O-Line vs. their D-Line will be so key for the game. Rams need to block better for SJax, it will set-up some great play-action passes for Sam

I met Joe Halahuni's parents.....in Alaska. Jealous?

by sergey606 on Dec 29, 2010 1:06 PM CST reply actions

What about Rams O-Line vs. The 12th Man?

As I said in my latest Links post, it does get pretty loud.

Check out this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVuQ5aw0HAQ

I'm suffering from an extreme case of laurinaitis!

by NachoD on Dec 29, 2010 4:59 PM CST reply actions

That a good one!

or 12th man vs. the Rams (Like that Jets “snowball” incident)
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/jets_star_shaun_ellis_sued_report_oW690VLNJpum69CQxH9IdL

I met Joe Halahuni's parents.....in Alaska. Jealous?

by sergey606 on Dec 29, 2010 5:53 PM CST up reply actions

that was '07' not the same 12th man

"SJAX" - The extra strength cleaner that fights off that Stubborn, Stingy Defense

by moy on Dec 29, 2010 6:51 PM CST up reply actions

No,

not the same 11 men. The 12th man is still there.

"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.

by douchiedude on Dec 29, 2010 10:10 PM CST up reply actions

Especially when it's

win or go home for them too. We seem to forget that. It will be LOUD.

by douchiedude on Dec 29, 2010 10:10 PM CST up reply actions

I said it elsewhere

but will say it here too. I thought the rotation in the backfield early in the season with Toasten, Darby and Jackson worked pretty well. It just might be worth another shot.

"Tread lightly, lest the Big Goat Eats."

by Brawnwitch on Dec 29, 2010 5:54 PM CST reply actions