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Following back-to-back losses, the Los Angeles Rams enter Week 18 in search of answers. They badly need a get-right game against the Arizona Cardinals and they couldn't have asked for a better opponent.
The Cardinals have lost eight games in a row and have become one of the worst teams in football, particularly on offense. The Rams should be able to find a rhythm on the ground and through the air, but the defense will still need to be wary of Arizona's playmakers.
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Here are five key matchups to watch on Sunday.
CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. vs. WR Michael Wilson
The Rams need their secondary to play better before the playoffs start and at the center of that is Forbes. He’s struggled with bigger, more physical receivers, which is exactly what Wilson is. It would be great for Forbes and the Rams’ other cornerbacks to gain some momentum in the season finale but Wilson won’t be an easy coverage assignment for anyone.
He could be fed the ball often, too, with Marvin Harrison Jr. ruled out already. In Week 14, he went off for 11 catches, 142 yards and two touchdowns.
Rams’ slot DBs vs. TE Trey McBride
Whether it’s Josh Wallace, Jaylen McCollough or someone else, the Rams must limit McBride’s production. In Week 14, the Rams held McBride to just five catches for 58 yards. McBride is arguably the best tight end in the game and even with nothing to play for, he can bolster his stats in what’s one of the most impressive seasons ever at the position.
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OLB Jared Verse vs. LT Josh Fryar
The Rams had Jacoby Brissett under constant pressure in their Week 14 meeting, generating 33 total pressures as a team. Verse accounted for three of those pressures and on Sunday, he’ll go up against Fryar at left tackle. That’s a favorable matchup for Verse heading into the postseason, particularly coming off a game where he missed five tackles against the Falcons.
RT Warren McClendon Jr. vs. OLB Josh Sweat
McClendon has seemingly already won the starting right tackle job even when Rob Havenstein returns, so he doesn’t have anything left to prove. But shutting down Sweat, a dynamic pass rusher, in the final game of the regular season before the playoffs start would be a nice confidence-builder.
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WR Puka Nacua vs. CB Will Johnson
Last time Nacua played the Cardinals, he went off. He caught seven passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns, and that was without even playing the fourth quarter. Against the rookie Johnson, he caught three of four targets for 69 yards and two touchdowns, making it look easy against a promising young corner. Nacua is the one player who doesn’t need work before the postseason but another dominant performance will keep the momentum going.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams vs. Cardinals: 5 key matchups to watch
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