Rams at Vikings: 5 key matchups to watch in Week 16…

Rams at Vikings: 5 key matchups to watch in Week 16

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Cameron DaSilva

The Rams and Vikings are both in position to make the playoffs as wild-card teams right now, holding the fifth and seventh seeds, respectively. The Rams need a win to keep pace with the Cardinals in the NFC West, while the Vikings have to win in order to avoid falling out of the current playoff picture.

The Vikings will host the Rams on Sunday afternoon in a pivotal game in the NFC. These five matchups could decide the outcome of this late-season tilt at U.S. Bank Stadium.

1

Jalen Ramsey vs. Justin Jefferson

It’s unclear if the Vikings will get Adam Thielen back from his ankle injury, but Jefferson will be Kirk Cousins’ top target regardless. That means Ramsey is likely to match up with the second-year receiver, who has turned in yet another terrific season in 2021.

Jefferson is shifty and quick as a route runner, with an innate ability to separate from defenders. Whether he’s running underneath routes, deep crossers or fades down the field, he’s a handful for every defender who tries to cover him.

Ramsey will need to be at his best again after locking down DK Metcalf on Tuesday, making this yet another difficult matchup for the Rams’ top corner.

2

Ernest Jones vs. Dalvin Cook

Cook is a game-changer for this offense. When he’s on the field, the Vikings are capable of beating just about anyone. But if the Rams can find a way to slow him down both as a runner and receiver, it’ll put the game in Cousins’ hands, which is the best way to beat Minnesota.

Jones has been solid in coverage and despite missing two tackles against the Seahawks, he’s played well the last three weeks as a run defender. The Rams cannot let Cook cook. That’s a recipe for disaster – pun very much intended.

3

Leonard Floyd vs. Brian O’Neill

O’Neill has been the Vikings’ best offensive lineman in pass protection, earning an 80.6 grade in that area from Pro football Focus. He’s only allowed 12 pressures on 579 pass-blocking plays, and he has yet to give up a single sack all year.

Floyd will try to change that, rushing against O’Neill on the right side of the line. Floyd has done a great job generating pressure as a pass rusher, but he’s also overrun plays, missed tackles and failed to take down quarterbacks for sacks. Cousins isn’t exactly mobile so if Floyd can beat O’Neill on the edge, he should be able to sack the quarterback and make an impactful play or two.

4

Austin Corbett vs. Sheldon Richardson

Richardson has recorded 32 pressures on 366 pass-rush opportunities, putting together a solid season for the Vikings and helping make up for the loss of Danielle Hunter on the edge. He typically lines up across from the right guard or right tackle, which puts Corbett in the spotlight.

The Rams’ tackles should be able to handle Minnesota’s edge rushers, which is a position group that looks vastly different without Hunter and Everson Griffen.

But if Corbett can’t handle Richardson and allows him to penetrate into the backfield for negative plays, the Rams could have some trouble running the ball.

5

Cooper Kupp vs. Mackensie Alexander

Kupp has a very favorable matchup this week with Alexander, who’s the Vikings’ primary slot defender. He’s been targeted 67 times, allowing 47 receptions for 557 yards and three touchdowns.

Kupp has been absolutely unstoppable all season and there’s no reason to believe that will change on Sunday with Alexander covering him. It’ll take double-teams and bracket coverage to slow down the Pro Bowl receiver, likely needing to put Harrison Smith or Xavier Woods over the top to take away plays down the field while Alexander covers him underneath.