Chiefs vs Rams: 4 key matchups to watch Monday night...

Chiefs vs. Rams: 4 key matchups to watch on Monday night

Cameron DaSilva

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

The Los Angeles Rams are gearing up for their biggest game of the season, hosting the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night. This is a dream matchup for the NFL with two Super Bowl contenders squaring off in primetime on Monday Night Football.



It’s an even matchup, too. Each team ranks in the top three in points and yards, fielding two of the best offenses in football this season. There are intriguing matchups all over the field, but these are the four biggest.

Marcus Peters vs. Tyreek Hill

Sammy Watkins and Peters are both facing their former teams on Monday night, assuming Watkins plays as expected. However, it’s the Peters-Hill matchup that could determine the outcome of this one.

Hill is arguably the fastest player in the league, but he’s more than just a deep threat. He can run an expansive route tree and still beat defenses over the top, which makes him so tough to cover. Peters may wind up shadowing Hill as he did with Michael Thomas and Davante Adams, but the wise move would be to keep him on one side like Wade Phillips did against Seattle.

Regardless, Peters is going to have to cover Hill at some point and when he does, the Rams can’t afford to get beat deep. Hill is a game-breaker on offense and the Rams’ secondary hasn’t exactly been great this season. It’s the biggest matchup of the game.


Rob Havenstein vs. Dee Ford


Ford is enjoying a terrific season in Kansas City, leading the team with nine sacks and four forced fumbles. He primarily lines up on the strong side at left outside linebacker, rushing against the opposing right tackle. That puts Havenstein in the spotlight, having to protect Jared Goff from the Chiefs’ best pass rusher.

Chris Jones presents issues inside against Rodger Saffold, too, but Ford is a dangerous player on the edge who can really make life miserable for Goff. Havenstein has yet to be penalized this season and is performing as one of the best right tackles in the game, but he’ll be tested on Monday night.

Ford is a speed rusher with great athleticism and a knack for getting to the quarterback. Pressures are troublesome for quarterbacks, but sacks are even more debilitating. That’s what the Rams can’t afford.


Todd Gurley vs. Anthony Hitchens and Reggie Ragland


Hitchens has always been a better run defender than he is in coverage, but he’s struggled in both departments this season, as has Ragland. The Chiefs are 22nd against the run this season and allow the third-worst yards per carry (5.1) in the NFL.

Gurley leads the league in rushing and has been almost unstoppable on the ground this year, which makes this a very favorable matchup for Los Angeles. Running the ball and keeping it away from Patrick Mahomes is one of the few ways to beat the Chiefs, sustaining long drives in the process.

The Chiefs don’t exactly have a player capable of covering Gurley as a receiver, either, which is another area Los Angeles can take advantage of. Run screens, put Gurley in the slot, get him moving laterally with jet sweeps. These are just a few of the ways the Rams can get him the ball in a spot to exploit Kansas City’s struggling linebackers.


Robert Woods vs. Kendall Fuller


Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Fuller is the Chiefs’ top cornerback and he’s usually at his best when covering the slot. With Cooper Kupp out, Woods should see increased opportunities inside with the Rams trotting out their usual 11 personnel grouping. Woods has been the Rams’ most consistent receiver and should remain such on Monday night despite drawing the Chiefs’ top cover man regularly.

Josh Reynolds will most likely line up outside along with Brandin Cooks and while they could also see Fuller in coverage, it’ll be Woods seeing No. 23 most often. The Chiefs don’t exactly have a great secondary with Orlando Scandrick and Steven Nelson being the other cornerbacks so there will be options for Goff, but Woods has become his favorite receiver this season.