The Baltimore Ravens are fresh off their bye and want to hit the ground running against the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium.
With the Ravens sitting at 9-3 as they begin the final stretch of the season, picking up wins is crucial if they are to be in a position to grab the No. 1 seed in the AFC (currently behind the Dolphins).
For analyst Gregg Rosenthal, he has the Ravens beating the Rams, thanks largely in part to the vaunted rushing attack at Baltimore's disposal.
“This is a tough matchup, they got the extra rest compared to the Rams, I have them winning 30 to 20,” Rosenthal said on NFL GameDay View. “Because of their run game going against the Rams run defense. This running attack, even without J.K. Dobbins, is just as good as it was back in 2018. I think they wear the Rams down, coming off that extra rest.”
Looking at the rushing stats, Rosenthal isn't wrong. Baltimore leads the NFL in rushing yards per game (156) and has not been held under 100 rushing yards in a game all season (the lowest was 106 vs. the Browns).
As for the Rams, they rank 17th in rushing yards allowed per game (111), so there is a weakness that Baltimore could exploit.
However, during their current three-game winning streak, the Rams' rush defense has been good...really good. They have given up rushing totals of 68, 73, and 87, so they have tightened up that aspect of their game.
But that will get a stern test against the Ravens, who have a host of players who can slice and dice a defense on the ground.
If Rams' defensive coordinator Raheem Morris can't get a handle on it, then Lamar Jackson, Keaton Mitchell, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill could run wild in the secondary.
Baltimore has an obvious weapon in the run game, and it will take everything from the Rams to stop it - if they can't, it could be a long day for the Los Angeles defense.
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