Steelers-Rams: Brian Batko’s Week 10 scouting report...

Steelers-Rams: Brian Batko's Week 10 scouting report (Pittsburgh reporter)

[www.post-gazette.com]

When Rams have the ball

Key performers: QB Jared Goff, RB Todd Gurley, WR Cooper Kupp, WR Robert Woods, TE Gerald Everett, LT Andrew Whitworth, C Brian Allen, RG Austin Blythe, RT Rob Havenstein

What’s been working: The Rams have built an explosive attack with the system of offensive-minded head coach Sean McVay. McVay has turned 2016 No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff into a two-time Pro Bowler despite a disappointing rookie year, and after finishing fifth in the league in passing last season, Goff ranks sixth so far in 2019. Kupp is his favorite target, and his 792 receiving yards are third-most in the NFL behind Michael Thomas and Mike Evans. His 410 yards after the catch are second only to Chargers running back Austin Ekeler.

Who’s hot (or not): A season after being a key to a Super Bowl run, the Rams offensive line is looking leaky. Their 12 sacks allowed are the sixth-fewest among all offensive lines, but that’s to be expected with veteran bookends Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein. The rushing yards per game are down from 139.4 last year to 97.3 this year, and at 3.9 yards per carry, only 10 teams are running the ball with less efficiency. San Francisco sacked Goff four times four weeks ago and New Orleans got home for three in Week 2.

Game plan: The Rams have changed up their backfield pecking order the past two games, rotating dynamic rookie third-rounder Darrell Henderson with oft-injured Todd Gurley. Even against the struggling defenses of Atlanta and Cincinnati, the Rams have failed to establish the ground game early on, so they might just come out firing with Goff and his support cast of pass-catchers. Kupp will mostly work out of the slot, trying to feast on mismatches, while Josh Reynolds will need to replace Brandin Cooks, who’s dealing with a concussion.

Keep an eye on: Gerald Everett might not be George Kittle or Hunter Henry, but will he be the latest tight end to gash the Steelers over the middle? A second-round pick in 2017, Everett is a handful to bring down after the catch, and the Rams could use more “12” personnel with him and fellow tight end Tyler Higbee, given the Cooks injury plus the rushing struggles.

When Steelers have the ball

Key performers: DE Michael Brockers, DT Aaron Donald, OLB Dante Fowler, ILB Cory Littleton, OLB Clay Matthews, CB Jalen Ramsey, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, FS Eric Weddle

What’s been working: Aaron Donald continues to dominate offensive lines as one of the best defensive players in the NFL, if not No. 1. But the Rams also made the biggest trade of the season a couple weeks ago, bringing in shutdown corner Jalen Ramsey to bolster a reeling secondary. They have a top-10 run defense, and a pass defense that has just six interceptions — only two courtesy of a player still on the active roster — should only get better with Ramsey in the fold.

Who’s hot (or not): In addition to Ramsey and backup quarterback Blake Bortles, edge-rusher Dante Fowler gives the Rams three former top-five overall draft picks of the Jaguars on their roster. Fowler is having a career resurgence in Los Angeles and now has 4½ sacks over the past two games, giving him a team-leading 6½ on the season. He’s also tied with Donald for the most quarterback hits at nine.

Game plan: In their 3-4 scheme, the Rams will usually rush Fowler from the blind side and Clay Matthews opposite him, while moving Donald all around the line of scrimmage to try to avoid double-teams. Expect Ramsey to shadow JuJu Smith-Schuster, while Cory Littleton shoulders plenty of coverage responsibility from his linebacker position. Littleton has two interceptions this season and the highest coverage grade among linebackers, per Pro Football Focus.

Keep an eye on: Eric Weddle is new to the Rams, but he’s a familiar face to the Steelers and vice versa. After spending three seasons in Baltimore, he has added an experienced presence in the secondary, but will he be up to make a big play at Heinz Field? Weddle is second on the team with 59 tackles. Between his time with the Chargers and Ravens, he’s 3-10 against the Steelers.

Special teams

Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein is always a long-range weapon, but he is 16 of 20 on field goals this year. And yet, he’s 4 for 4 on kicks of 50-plus yards. All four of his misses have been between 40 and 49. … Punter Johnny Hekker is a four-time Pro Bowler who has booted a 71-yarder this season, 7 off his career high. … Diminutive receiver JoJo Natson handles kick and punt return duties, ranking sixth in the NFL in the latter (9.8 yards per return). … Nick Scott, a rookie safety out of Penn State, caught a 23-yard pass from Hekker on a fake punt three weeks ago.

Keys to victory

To win, the Rams must…

Stay rolling on the road. The off week came at a nice time for a West Coast team that played at Atlanta, then in London, and now travels to Pittsburgh before finally returning home next week.

Make Mason miss. A high-percentage passing game worked for the Steelers against the Colts but might not be sustainable when Aaron Donald & Co. are bearing down.

Recalibrate to competition. Yes, the Rams are enjoying a two-game win streak, but they now take a step up in class from the going-nowhere Falcons and Bengals.

To win, the Steelers must…

Avoid 99 problems. Donald will be amped up in his Pittsburgh homecoming, so protecting Mason Rudolph will be of the utmost importance to the offense.

Ram it downfield. The Rams are only giving 4.8 receptions and 37 receiving yards per game to opposing running backs, which could limit the short throws to Jaylen Samuels.

Lock Kupp up. Cooper Kupp is coming off a career-high 220-yard performance, so whatever the Bengals did, well, don't do that.