Rams roundtable: was shootout with  a bad idea for L.A. in …

With a victory over the San Francisco 49ers and a trip to the No. 3 Detroit Lions for the NFC wild-card game, the Rams secured the sixth spot. Additionally, it matches quarterbacks Matthew Stafford of the Rams and Jared Goff of the Lions against their previous teams. NFL columnists Sam Farmer, Dylan Hernández, and beat writer Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times for the Rams talk about what’s coming up:

When game-planning against the dynamic and potent offense of the Detroit Lions, what would you rank as the top priority?

Hernández: There’s a reason the Rams moved Jared Goff to Detroit; they need to make him make throws they didn’t think he was capable of making. Stopping the Lions’ running game is the first step in doing that.

Klein: The Rams are aware of all of Jared Goff’s advantages and disadvantages. Raheem Morris, the defensive coordinator, will undoubtedly want to apply a lot of pressure. With smart screen throws, Goff and the Lions effectively offset the rush in 2021. Due to a potential knee injury, rookie tight end Sam LaPorta will miss the Lions’ game against the Rams on Sunday.

Farmer: The Rams must limit Jahmyr Gibbs and shut down Detroit’s running game, as it is the foundation of the Lions’ play-action passing approach. That ball is what Dan Campbell wants to run down your neck. Opponents may find themselves one-on-one with receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson when they sell out to stop the run.

Is Matthew Stafford and his receiving corps better than Jared Goff and his corps, even when playing on the road? How are they different? Hernandez: The Lions are without their record-setting rookie tight end, Sam LaPorta, after Dan Campbell pulled a Brandon Staley. Stafford has the upper hand here because he is the better quarterback with the better weapons. Klein: Amon Ra-St. Brown is excellent, and the Rams are aware of Josh Reynolds, but the passing game of the Lions suffers if LaPorta is unable to play. Still, the Rams have playoff-tested Cooper Kupp, record-setting Puka Nacua and Demarcus Robinson, and tight end Tyler Higbee.

Farmer: Veteran quarterback Jim Everett likes to refer to Rams receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua as “sporks.” These are forks and spoons that can be employed for a variety of tasks, including blocking, jet sweeps, and short, medium, and long routes. The Lions place less demands on their receivers than other teams do. Goff is more of a see-it-throw-it quarterback, while Stafford is a master manipulator who can move defenses with his eyes.

What will be the Rams’ key to breaking through the intimidating front of the Lions defense?

Hernández: This is where things may become ugly for the Rams in the game. Stafford cannot be allowed to suffer excessively. Kyren Williams’ early establishment would be very beneficial.

Klein: Kyren Williams, a vital member of the offense who has carried for more than 100 yards six times this season, will undoubtedly be the focus of the Rams’ quest to establish the rushing attack. Stafford would then be able to manage play-action scenes efficiently.

Farmer: The Rams must always be aware of the whereabouts of Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, much as their opponents do with Aaron Donald. Another issue is the extreme activity of Detroit’s linebackers. Kyren Williams, the running back for the Rams, doesn’t receive enough credit for it. Yes, he is a superb runner, but he is also an exceptional pass blocker. But neutralizing Hutchinson is the primary key, if there is one.

In this NFC wild-card game, one Detroit newspaper previously projected that both teams will score thirty or more points. Do you think that will occur?

Klein: Not always. The postseason is here. Improved defenses are necessary.

Farmer: It’s definitely possible. Six of the previous nine games have seen the Lions score at least thirty points, and they have won all of those high-scoring contests. Late in the season, the Rams went on a run that included scores of 37, 36, 31, 28, and 30. These groups are capable of making the scoreboard resemble a slot machine. Raheem Morris, the defensive coordinator for the Rams, is adamant that he wants another opportunity to be a head coach.

Hernández: I agree; it is very likely. It’s possible that the Rams’ most important plays are also their most ignored ones. In their regular-season finale, they went back to Brett Maher as their kicker after firing Lucas Havrisik, and Maher missed an extra point right away.

What kind of game, in your opinion, would the Rams perform best versus the Lions—a shootout?

Klein: Matthew Stafford should have the ball in his hands as much as possible for the Rams. The Rams would perform well in a shootout considering his background and track record of masterminding comebacks. However, the Rams would perform best if McVay gave Stafford play-action opportunities and Kyren Williams ran the ball efficiently.

For the Los Angeles Times, Gary Klein covers the Los Angeles Rams. He covered USC’s sports department and football program prior to that. He started off as a reporter for The Times in the San Fernando Valley edition and has covered collegiate, professional, and high school athletics. After attending Cal State Northridge, he graduated from high school in Southern California.

Gary Klein covers the Los Angeles Rams for the Los Angeles Times. Before before, he covered USC’s football program and sports department. He began his career as a reporter for The Times, covering high school, collegiate, and professional sports in the San Fernando Valley edition. He attended Cal State Northridge and then graduated from Southern California High School.

Sam Farmer has covered the NFL for 25 seasons and has been honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his “long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football.” A two-time recipient of California Sportswriter of the Year and the top spot for beat writing by Associated Press Sports Editors, he is an Occidental College alumnus.