Los Angeles Rams versus Kansas City Chiefs: Matchups to watch

If you’re looking for the matchup of the year, this is it. The Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs showdown for supremacy commences in week 11 in Los Angeles.

Both teams are built similarly in the sense that both deploy high-powered offenses averaging over 30 points per game, and defenses that are downright average.

Let’s take a look at the matchups to watch:

WR Robert Woods vs CB Steven Nelson

With WR Cooper Kupp out for the year, QB Jared Goff will need another weapon to step up as the third-down receiver and sure-handed chain mover. Luckily for the Rams, they have Woods who has performed as one of the best receivers in the league this year. This week, Woods will likely draw Nelson who is probably the Chiefs’ best cornerback. Woods is going to be a major factor in the offense if they can continue to stay ahead of the chains and manufacture scoring drives.

RG Austin Blythe vs DT Chris Jones

Austin Blythe is one of the best guards in the league. Chris Jones is one of the best defensive lineman in the league. This will be a battle of two terrific players who are both likely to win and lose some reps. Jones currently has 20 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and a interception on the season. Blythe has been a rock in pass pro and a people-mover in the zone scheme the Rams deploy.

CB Marcus Peters vs WR Tyreek Hill

Oh boy. The matchup between these two might be worth the price of admission on it’s own. Peters was obviously traded from the Chiefs to the Rams in the offseason and now he’s got his chance to prove Head Coach Andy Reid wrong. He’ll draw one of the leagues most dangerous weapons in Hill who is absolutely blazing fast. Hill has 891 receiving yards on the season coupled with nine touchdowns. Peters is going to have his hands absolutely full. Will he be up to the challenge? We’ll see.

DT Aaron Donald vs QB Patrick Mahomes

Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense has yet to be stopped. I’m not sure anyone is even capable of doing so, but if the Rams’ defense is going to have a shot, it all starts with #99. Donald is playing possessed to the tune of a career high 12.5 sacks. Just like the Chiefs’ offense, Donald is simply unstoppable. He’s proven time and time again that no situation, no scheme, no player, and no man can stop him. If the defense is going to get off on third downs, Donald will need to have another tremendous performance.

SS John Johnson III vs TE Travis Kelce

The Rams have entrusted JJ3 the responsibility of playing tight ends in man coverage all season and that likely wont change on Monday. Even though he’s covered some great TE’s, JJ3 will face a whole new animal against Kelce who is likely the leagues best tight end with Rob Gronkowski hurt. A route running extraordinaire with vice grips as hands, JJ3 will need to be physical and sudden to stick with the tight end that can turn a small gain into a big one quickly.

LT Andrew Whitworth vs OLB Dee Ford

Ol’ reliable will draw himself a tough matchup this week with Dee Ford and his nine sacks in 11 weeks. Now, I fully expect Whitworth to have a field day protecting QB Jared Goff, he’s just that good. That’s not to say that Ford’s speed rush might not beat him once for a sack, but Big Whit will likely win many more reps than he losses.

This matchup is obviously going to be a high-scoring affair between two teams that may eventually meet in the Superbowl.

Who comes out on top?

That remains to be seen.