Patriots-Rams Preview: How Pats Can Slow Down L.A.’s Elite Pass Rush
When the New England Patriots travel to Los Angeles to face the Rams on Sunday Night Football, they will be tasked with the daunting challenge of slowing down one of the most formidable pass rushes in the NFL. Led by Aaron Donald, the Rams’ defensive line has been a force to be reckoned with all season long, and they will be looking to make life difficult for Patriots quarterback Mac Jones.
Donald’s Dominance
Donald is widely considered to be the best defensive player in the NFL, and for good reason. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year has an uncanny ability to generate pressure on the quarterback, and he has already recorded 11.5 sacks this season. Donald is a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen, and he will be a major threat to Jones on Sunday night.
The Rams’ Supporting Cast
While Donald is the Rams’ most dangerous pass rusher, he is far from the only one. Leonard Floyd has emerged as a legitimate star this season, and he has already recorded 9.5 sacks. Justin Hollins and A’Shawn Robinson are also capable of getting to the quarterback, and they will be looking to make a big impact against the Patriots.
The Patriots’ Offensive Line
The Patriots’ offensive line has been a bit of a liability this season, and they will be facing a major test against the Rams’ pass rush. Isaiah Wynn has been particularly disappointing at left tackle, and he will need to have a strong performance against Donald. The rest of the Patriots’ offensive line will also need to step up, and they will need to be able to protect Jones if they want to have any chance of winning.
The Patriots’ Game Plan
The Patriots will need to come up with a game plan that will help them slow down the Rams’ pass rush. One option is to use quick passes to get the ball out of Jones’ hands quickly. This will limit the amount of time that Donald and the rest of the Rams’ pass rushers have to get to the quarterback. Another option is to use play-action passes to keep the Rams’ defense honest. This will force the Rams to respect the run, and it will make it more difficult for them to generate pressure on Jones.
Conclusion
The Patriots will have their hands full on Sunday night when they face the Rams’ elite pass rush. Donald and the rest of the Rams’ defensive line are one of the most formidable units in the NFL, and they will be looking to make life difficult for Jones. However, the Patriots have a few options that they can use to try to slow down the Rams’ pass rush. If they can execute their game plan effectively, they will have a chance to pull off an upset on the road.