Twice a year, an NFC team comes to town. For the last four games running, it’s been a clean sweep for Baltimore.
Since 2022, the Ravens are 4-0 in home games against an NFC team, winning by an average of 21.0 points per game. The average winning percentage of those teams is 50.0%, which would put most teams in contention for a playoff spot.
This Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams will be the visitors, not even two years since they won by 1-point—the last time the Ravens lost a game versus an NFC team at M&T Bank Stadium. That was the game in which the Ravens surrendered a 16-7 4th-quarter lead for good when Odell Beckham, Jr. scored the game-winning touchdown with 57 seconds left in the game.
On that day, Baltimore had the ball for seven more minutes than the Rams, won the turnover battle, and converted all three of their 4th down attempts. Still, it wasn’t enough. Tyler Huntley led Baltimore in what he hoped was a comeback attempt, but the Ravens didn’t even sniff midfield on that final drive.
This time around, Lamar Jackson should be healthy. Thursday, he didn’t practice due to an illness, but he was seen at practice on Friday.
These two teams are on different levels, but this may not be a blowout. The Rams are 6-6 but are currently the 8th team in the NFC—one spot out of the playoffs. They have a lot to play for, and while personnel isn’t comparable, we’ve seen bigger discrepancies lead to photo finishes.
Here are three key matchups to watch in this week’s game against the Rams:
Tyler Linderbaum vs. Aaron Donald
Aaron Donald has 109.0 sacks in his 10-year career. He is an absolute game-wrecker. Whoever is tasked with blocking him will have their hands full but will undoubtedly look forward to such a rare opportunity to prove themselves.
Tyler Linderbaum has yet to allow a sack all year, while Donald has seven of his own, to go along with a Pro Football Focus grade of 90.2. Along with calling the protections, Linderbaum will need to be his best blocking self this Sunday.
While their defense leads the NFL in sacks, the Ravens offense is only average when it comes to keeping their own QB clean. Baltimore ranks 18th in sacks allowed while Los Angeles ranks 24th in sacks.
When these teams met four years ago, the key wasn’t so much in protecting against Donald’s rush as it was in running directly at him. That night, the Ravens allowed three sacks by the Rams, but they absolutely obliterated LA on the ground. In one of the more lopsided rushing games in the history of the sport, the Ravens out-rushed the Rams, 285-22.
Expect a similar game plan from Todd Monken this Sunday afternoon.
Kyle Hamilton vs. Puka Nacua
These two dynamic, young playmakers are set to go up against each other for the first time. Kyle Hamilton is steadily building an All-Pro season, and Nacua isn’t all that far behind. Nacua is one of nine players to have already exceeded the 1,000 receiving yard mark this season. He’s one of 11 players with over 400 yards gained after the catch. Oh yeah, he’s a rookie 5th-round draft pick, too.
Thankfully for the Ravens, Hamilton is playing better and better each week. It looks like the game is slowing down as he’s speeding up. Not only is he making big plays, but he’s also making little plays consistently. Hamilton’s performance has been especially impressive given the injury issues Marcus Williams has had to overcome.
Nacua is in the Top 10 in targets this year, so Matthew Stafford will surely try to get the ball early and often. If Hamilton is in the area and can limit Nacua’s gains, it’ll be very tough on Stafford to look elsewhere for support.
Jadeveon Clowney vs. Rob Havenstein
Though you may be much more familiar with Jadeveon Clowney than you are with Rob Havenstein, they’re having comparable statistical seasons. Clowney has recorded 7.5 sacks already this year. His career high for sacks in a season is 9.5, set six seasons.. At 30 years old, he’s playing as good as ever.
Havenstein signed a 3-year, $34.5 million contract last year. He has only allowed one sack this year. The Rams like him a lot and his production has validated their financial investment.
While Havenstein is 6’8” and 330 pounds, he was also nearly a full second slower than Clowney in the 40-yard dash (according to Pro Football Focus). Look for Clowney to utilize speed rushes in the second half to break down Havenstein’s pass sets.
I’m predicting a 27-7 Ravens win, as well as the following fantasy football performances from these key players:
Lamar Jackson: 13/22, 155 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 8 carries, 102 yards, TD (25.4 fantasy points)
Gus Edwards: 18 carries, 114 yards, TD; 1 reception, 8 yards (18.2 fantasy points)
Matthew Stafford: 21/38, 268 yards, TD, 3 INT (11.7 fantasy points)
Puka Nacua: 6 receptions, 76 yards, TD (13.6 fantasy points)
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.