3 Key Playoff Matchups for Vikings at Rams
It will feel like a long wait for Monday night, but once everyone else has theirs, the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams will finish the WildCard round of the NFL playoffs.
Vikings at Rams | Key Playoff Matchups
Due to the ongoing wildfires in southern California, the game has been moved to Glendale, Arizona, at the home of the Cardinals — State Farm Stadium. It promises to be a close matchup between two teams that met back in Week 8, with the Rams winning 30-20 with a controversial missed facemask on Sam Darnold, resulting in a safety ending the contest. This time around, several essential battles will help determine who comes out on top. Let’s take a look at three key playoff matchups.
Cam Robinson vs. Jared Verse
Cam Robinson has been struggling somewhat on the left side of Minnesota’s offensive line. In the last four games, he has allowed two sacks and 21 pressures — including 9 last week against Detroit. Robinson has done a solid job since coming in mid-season to deputize for the injured Christian Darrisaw. With the playoffs upon us, the Vikings need Robinson to be at his best. Starting with a matchup against the Rams rookie edge rusher Jared Verse.
Verse was selected by the Rams in the first round, two picks after the Vikings took edge defender Dallas Turner. It’s been a more successful rookie campaign for Verse, who was voted to the Pro Bowl and became the Rams’ biggest threat on the defensive front in his first season. Verse scored an 86.2 over grade from Pro Football Focus and had 4.5 sacks. Robinson’s job is to stop him from getting to Darnold and causing the Vikings QB to get rattled, as we saw last week.
Jordan Addison vs. Darious Williams
In the first meeting, Justin Jefferson went over 100 receiving yards, but there wasn’t much else from anyone else. Jordan Addison caught 2 of 3 targets for 22 yards. That’s not enough for a player of Addison’s ability. The Rams will likely use their excellent safeties to help slow down Jefferson, and with Addison often lining up on the right, he will find himself going head-to-head with Darious Williams. Its a matchup the Vikings will be hopeful that Addison can win if he sees single coverage.
It often looks like Addison is always open because he usually is. He has a very good 76.92 separation percentage throughout the regular season. It’s a case of whether the Vikings and Darnold can get him the ball — something they failed miserably last week in Detroit. Minnesota’s offense always looks better when Addison makes big plays, and his 9 touchdowns this season show he has a nose for the end zone. A big game from Addison usually means good things for Minnesota.
Harrison Phillips vs. Beaux Limmer
Against a smart QB like Matthew Stafford, who showed in the Week 8 meeting that he has no problem deciphering and combating the Vikings’ disguises and blitzes. He was pressured on only 23.5% of attempts, which just isn’t enough. The Vikings need to get pressure on Stafford consistently without the need to send 5, 6, or 7 players and give the secondary a better chance in coverage against the Rams’ talented receivers. If the Rams can protect Stafford as well again, it will be a difficult night for the Vikings’ offense.
Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel only mustered one pressure on 19 pass-rushing snaps in that game. The Vikings will need more from their star edge defenders, who they will look to wreak havoc on the Rams. Minnesota can’t completely rely on their edge defenders, though; they at least need to get some consistent push from the interior. Harrison Phillips who hasn’t had a sack since Week 5 draws a favorable matchup against rookie center Beaux Limmer. Phillips needs to dominate the middle of the line for the Vikings.
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