Rams vs Jaguars: Discover Three Crucial Storylines for Sunday’s London Showdown
The upcoming matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Jacksonville Jaguars in London features critical storylines that could shape the outcome of the game. Here, we present three crucial themes to watch.
1. Rams’ Passing Strategy Without Nacua
The Rams face a significant challenge as they prepare to take on the Jaguars without star receiver Puka Nacua. Nacua leads the NFL with 54 receptions and ranks second in receiving yards with 616. However, due to an ankle injury, he has been ruled out for Sunday’s game.
Nacua’s absence will test the Rams’ adaptability, as he accounts for approximately 36.6% of the team’s aerial attack. Los Angeles must find ways to succeed without their top performer. Fortunately, quarterback Matthew Stafford has a reliable target in veteran wide receiver Davante Adams.
2. Davante Adams: A Key Player in the Spotlight
Signed to a two-year contract earlier this year, Davante Adams has the experience and skill to fill the void left by Nacua. Despite having a season-low of 39 receiving yards in the last game, Adams’ matchup against the Jaguars’ struggling pass defense could provide a valuable opportunity.
- Current Targets: Adams has received 55 targets this season, ranking seventh in the league.
- Completion Rate Concerns: Stafford has completed only 47.3% of his passes to Adams, with 29 incomplete attempts between them.
3. Jaguars’ Defensive Adjustments
The Jaguars have made recent changes to their secondary by trading cornerback Tyson Campbell to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Greg Newsome II. However, early results from this adjustment have raised concerns. In a previous game, quarterback Sam Darnold exposed vulnerabilities, throwing for 295 yards while receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba added 162 yards and a touchdown against their defense.
Adding to Jacksonville’s woes, standout linebacker Devin Lloyd is unavailable for the game due to a calf injury. This depletion of key players may make it easier for the Rams to demonstrate that they can thrive as a multifaceted passing team.
As these storylines unfold, the game promises to be an intriguing battle with critical implications for both teams.
