An up-and-down first half has the Los Angeles Rams in a position to take the lead back from the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter if they can make the right adjustments. Aaron Donald got on the board with two sacks in the first two quarters, and Matthew Stafford found second-year receiver Tutu Atwell for a 54-yard completion to mark the first reception of the wideout’s young career, and Cooper Kupp on a 75-yard score that briefly gave the Rams a lead.
Despite the early deficit, plenty of things went right for the Rams in the first half of this game. If it weren’t for a fumble on their first offensive drive being returned for a touchdown, the score would likely be even headed into halftime.
Here is what we saw through two hard-fought quarters by Los Angeles in Week 5:
Matthew Stafford faces pressure allowed by Rams patchwork offensive line
Stafford has to work with the tools at his disposal, which means he is stuck with an offensive line composed of fill-in talent while key starters miss time with injury. There isn’t much he can do to mitigate this disadvantage except to get the ball out quickly, but against a highly capable Cowboys secondary, that is proving to be a tall task.
Running back Cam Akers is helping to churn out yards so far, making Los Angeles’ offense less predictable, but it will likely be his work in pass protection that defines his second-half performance. Watch for the Rams to use their backs as extra blockers on passing downs, and to turn to the screen game to help keep Stafford clean in the pocket.
Aaron Donald headlines defensive effort, other stars relatively quiet
Jalen Ramsey and Bobby Wagner haven’t made much of an impact on this game so far, but that is likely to change in the last two quarters. Aaron Donald proved that he is in game-breaking form with two great sacks on Cooper Rush in the first and second quarters, so the ball is in his teammates’ court to help him dominate in the second half.
Dallas’ running game has gashed the Rams’ defense, and they’ll need to play more disciplined moving forward if they hope to contain the Cowboys. It will take a group effort to make sure that every gap is covered on every down through the end of this matchup, but with the correct adjustments, the unit should be able to close out against a relatively inexperienced quarterback.
Special teams miscues in first half may foreshadow interesting finish
One of the Rams’ first-quarter punts was blocked in this matchup, and the Cowboys had a miscue of their own on a failed long snap that followed their first touchdown. As isolated incidents, these plays may have been insignificant, but with special teams playing a factor in the game early, the consistency both teams show moving forward will likely have an impact on the final outcome.
It may be a missed field goal, or a kick returned for a touchdown, or any number of other anomalies that ultimately decide this game in the second half, and both teams are sure to be talking to their special teams’ units at halftime to make sure they don’t squander their chances at a Week 5 win.
