Can Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon contain Rams' breakout superstar Puka Nacua? Their clash could decide NFC Championship supremacy.
The Seattle Seahawks will be facing off against their division rival Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship on Sunday, and the team's stars will be a huge part of the matchup.
Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire broke down what he thinks ate the six key matchups that will decide the conference title game, and the obvious one is Seattle's Devon Witherspoon against Rams' star wideout Puka Nacua.
"Witherspoon is long and physical, while also having the versatility to play inside or out," DaSilva writes. "It’s hard for any corner to cover Nacua one-on-one but Witherspoon is capable of matching up with the Rams receiver and doing a good job without needing double-team help."
Nacua was decent in his first game on the season against the Seahawks with 75 yards on seven receptions. But it was the second game against Seattle where he really made his mark.
The two division rivals went into overtime on December 18, and Puka was able to rack up 225 yards and grab two touchdowns. That marked the most yards that the 24-year-old has finished a game with in his already impressive career.
As for Witherspoon, he only played in 12 games this season due to a knee injury, but that did not stop him from having a very solid year.
He was one of the best tackling cornerbacks in the NFL, finishing with 72 total tackles and 48 solo, and he was also able to show his ball hawk abilities with a pick as well as a fumble recovery.
All of this led him to be named to the Pro Bowl for the third time in his first three years, as well as being named Second Team All-Pro. That was his first nod, and he did so while missing five games.
Los Angeles has two star guys that Matthew Stafford can throw to, but Witherspoon will take the hardest matchup on the field, and one of the hardest in the league.
"The Rams do have Davante Adams, but there’s no question Nacua is the go-to guy in this offense and he should be a big focal point of Seattle’s defense."
There is no disputing that the Rams have a powerhouse offense, so stopping their superstar wide receiver could be key in helping Seattle get back to the Super Bowl.
And that responsibility will fall on Witherspoon's very capable shoulders.