A dropped touchdown pass in the end zone in the final seconds doomed the Los Angeles Rams (3-2) to a loss last week. Seven days later they get the chance to make amends as they travel to EverBank Field to take on the suddenly relevant Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2).
The game will be beamed via satellite and various cables, above ground and below, into your very own home via the FOX Broadcasting Company and their affiliates at 4:05 p.m. EST.
The Game: Los Angeles Rams at Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5)
O/U: 42.0
The History
The Rams and Jaguars have played just four times since 1996 with Los Angeles/St. Louis holding a 3-1 advantage.
They last played on October 6, 2013 with the Rams, led by 222 yards and three touchdowns from Sam Bradford, winning 34-20.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-2)
The Rams have spent the last week kicking their own asses after mistakes and turnovers cost them a chance to take firm control of the NFC West in a 16-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. There was plenty of blame to go around. Second year quarterback Jared Goff tossed two interceptions and lost a fumble. Todd Gurley fumbled the ball into the pylon on what should have been a touchdown. Instead, it was a touchback. Finally, inside Seattle’s red zone with just seconds to go in the game, rookie wide receiver Cooper Kupp got free down the seam and Goff fired a perfect strike right into his hands. He dropped it.
The film doesn’t lie and all three of these men have this game to make up for it. On the bright side, head coach and playcaller Sean McVay has made it a point to get Tavon Austin more involved in the offense and it’s worked well, both as a running back and wide receiver. I was a firm believer that Austin was playing his final season with the team, but if he’s willing to sign a more cap friendly contract in the off-season, he obviously has a place on this squad.
A couple of defensive moves have turned the Rams wide open middle into a what we expected a Wade Phillips defense to look like. Michael Brockers has bumped out to defensive end, rookie Tanzel Smart is now starting at nose tackle and Aaron Donald is already playing at midseason form. Outside, Robert Quinn is healthy and on pace for a double digit sack season of his own.
In the defensive backfield Kayvon Webster returned from injury and rookie John Johnson took over at safety with Maurice Alexander getting cut.
The Rams will be without back up defensive back Troy Hill who is listed as doubtful. Lamarcus Joyner and Mark Barron both practiced Friday and should play.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-2)
The Jaguars roll into this game after what has to be their biggest win of the last half decade. Jacksonville returned two interceptions for touchdowns and picked off Ben Roethlisberger five times in a 30-9 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Blake Bortles didn’t have to do much and head coach Doug Marrone didn’t let him. Bortles was 8-of-14 for 95 yards and a pick. The offense rides on rookie Leonard Fournette, who gashed the Steelers for 181 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns. Jacksonville’s offensive line opened the holes for Fournette, but with Bortles holding the ball an eternity, they still have up two sacks. The Rams will bring more heat than the Steelers, especially in the middle of the line with Donald and Brockers.
Defensively, the Jags sacked Roethlisberger twice last Sunday and got 7.5 stops in the backfield. They gave up 47 yards rushing and 46 yards receiving to Le’Veon Bell and will face a bigger version of him in the Rams backfield in Todd Gurley II.
Jacksonville will only be missing back up offensive lineman Brandon Linder. Arrelious Benn and Patrick Omameh are both listed as questionable, but should play.
The Pick
The Jaguars are stout on pass defense, but the Rams should be able to ground this one out with Gurley and quick strike passes. Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods will help keep the safeties honest and Los Angeles should swarm Bortles whenever he drops back to pass. Rams 31, Jaguars 13
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 6-8
Against the spread: 6-8
Season
Straight up: 43-34
Against the spread: 38-39
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