Here are three keys for the Carolina Panthers in the team's Week 13 contest against the Los Angeles Rams.
As the Carolina Panthers continue their quest for a spot in the NFL playoffs this year, the organization has been tasked with taking on one of the best teams in the NFC on Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams.
After dropping a huge game to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, head coach Dave Canales and his squad are half a game back for the top spot in the NFC South. And with the team set to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in two of their last five games of the regular season, a win against the Rams would give the team wiggle room heading into the games.
Here are the three keys for the Panthers’ Week 13 contest against the Rams.
Limit Mistakes On Offense
Obviously, the goal on the offensive side of the ball every week should be to limit the turnovers, but this should be a huge point of emphasis for the Panthers on Sunday.
The Rams’ defense has done a terrific job of causing turnovers this season, as the NFC West leaders rank No. 2 in turnovers forced this season with 12. This, along with the offense being one of the most explosive units in the league, creates a lethal combination.
To secure the win on Sunday, the offense must be nearly perfect in its efforts. In Los Angeles’ two losses this season, their opponents have scored an average of 29.5 points, which likely indicates that Carolina will need to endure a shootout in Week 13. Limiting the turnovers will be the perfect way to keep up with one of the best offensive attacks in the NFL.
Get RB Rico Dowdle Involved
In addition to keeping the mistakes to a minimum on Sunday, Canales must get running back Rico Dowdle involved early in the contest.
The Rams have done an excellent job against opposing teams’ passing attacks this season, allowing an average of 208.5 passing yards per game while recording 31 sacks in the process. In order to create more opportunities in the passing game, Carolina must establish the run game through Dowdle.
Clearly, the 27-year-old veteran was unhappy with his usage in the team’s Week 12 loss to the 49ers, as he finished the contest with six carries for 38 yards. However, Sunday presents a golden opportunity for Dowdle to make an impact with his explosive play on the ground.
Pressure QB Matthew Stafford
Unfortunately for the Panthers’ defense, the group will be matched up against the frontrunner for the MVP award in quarterback Matthew Stafford, along with the dynamic wide receiver duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
With such impressive weapons for head coach Sean McVay, it’s hard to imagine any team that could truly limit the Rams’ passing game. However, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero must find a way to do something no other team has done this year: apply pressure to Los Angeles’ veteran quarterback.
The Rams’ offensive line has allowed the third-least amount of sacks this season, with 15 through 11 games. Evero’s defense continues to improve its efforts of rushing the quarterback this season, but the Panthers must get rookie outside linebacker/EDGE Nic Scorton and the rest of the front seven home on Sunday afternoon.