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4 players who must step up for Rams on Sunday vs. Seahawks
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- 4 players who must step up for Rams on Sunday vs. Seahawks
The Los Angeles Rams are going to need each player who steps on the field on Sunday to contribute if they want to defeat the Seattle Seahawks in a hostile environment. It goes without saying that players like Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua are the engines of the offense, and they'll need to be effective for the Rams to be in a prime spot to inch closer to a Super Bowl bid.
But what about the other players on the roster? Before the first whistle blows and the opening kickoff takes place, let's discuss which players will need to step up for the Rams in their impending matchup versus the Seahawks for the NFC crown.
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OT Warren McClendon Jr.
Despite the Rams opening the practice window for Rob Havenstein this week, the veteran right tackle won't be active versus the Seahawks. That means we'll get another start from Warren McClendon Jr., who will be tasked with helping slow down Seattle's pass rush.
Across two postseason starts this year, PFF has credited McClendon with the most pressures allowed (7) among LA's offensive linemen. While the entire offensive line of the Rams will need to keep Stafford upright and give him clean pockets to operate from, the Seahawks could certainly try to target the third-year backup tackle when they elect to send pressure.
CB Cobie Durant
Slowing down Jaxon Smith-Njigba is easier said than done, and all of the defensive backs on the Rams will get an opportunity to face him in coverage. That being said, Cobie Durant is the lone cornerback on LA's defense who has logged 60-plus percent of the defensive snaps in both postseason contests, and he's excelling in the takeaway category in these playoffs.
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Even though Durant has surrendered the second-most receptions (6) and second-most receiving yards (113) among the Rams' defensive backs this postseason (according to PFF), he's also giving up just a 40.0% catch rate while totaling three interceptions. On the season, Durant now has six interceptions (including one against Sam Darnold in Week 11), and his ability to make game-changing plays could come in handy on Sunday.
LB Nate Landman
Make no mistake about it, the Seahawks would love to pound the rock often and set the tone for this game with Kenneth Walker leading their backfield. Walker is a dynamic back who had the third-most missed tackles forced (65) during the regular season, and he tallied four missed tackles forced (the same amount Kyren Williams has through two postseason games) in last week's lopsided victory over the San Francisco 49ers .
Given Walker's ability to make defenders miss in space, Nate Landman and the Rams will need to prioritize tackling to prevent Seattle's rushing attack from seizing control of the game. Landman has been a welcome addition to Chris Shula's unit, and he and the other 10 players on defense can't afford to be missing tackles in a physical matchup.
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P Ethan Evans
Punter Ethan Evans has been one of the steadier special teams contributors for the Rams this year, and special teams is going to play a major factor in Sunday's showdown. Throughout the playoffs, Evans has punted the ball 12 times, and 6 of those have pinned the opposing teams inside the 20-yard line.
During last week's overtime win over the Chicago Bears , six of Evans' eight punts put the Bears at their own 23-yard line or worse to begin their drive. In a game between the Rams and Seahawks where each possession is extremely important, flipping field position could be the difference.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams vs. Seahawks: 4 players who must step up in NFC championship
