The Seat is Getting Hotter
The (1-5) Atlanta Falcons look to right the wrongs that have derailed this season against a sizeable opponent. The (3-3) Los Angeles Rams will travel to Atlanta in week 7. Both teams are in a bit of a rough patch with the rams dropping three straight games and the Falcons on a four-game skid with a heartbreaking loss to Arizona. This could be the beginning of the end for Quinn.
Falcons Have a Chance
This game is set up to be a classic shootout as both defenses allow well over 300 yards per game. If the Falcons offense can get in a rhythm from the beginning and not solely rely on second-half surges, then this could be a game where the Falcons can finally play from ahead instead of constantly playing from behind like they have been this entire season. My only worry is the OL vs Aaron Donald and Clay Matthews. With Donald gaining most of the focus, this has allowed Matthews to lead the team in sacks this year. Neutralizing these two players will be hard due to the instability and inconsistency within Atlanta’s offensive front.
Furthermore, if the Falcons can find solid footing around, Matt Ryan is more than capable of lighting up defenses. Especially defenses that are depleted in the secondary.
Rams will be without veteran CB Aqib Talib who was placed on the IR with a rib injury in their week 3 win vs LA Chargers. Also out for the game for Los Angeles is LG Joe Noteboom, with an ACL and MCL tear and will miss the season and possibly John Johnson III with a shoulder injury that will be determined later this week.
Atlanta Needs to Force Turnovers
the absence of Gurley’s productivity has stalled this Rams season. The Rams offense runs solely through Jared Goff. 3 times this season Goff has completed less than 60The start of this three-game skid for the Rams began with Tampa forcing Goff into three horrible interceptions and a game-winning fumble. The Tampa defense is not any more talented than the defense in Atlanta, they just simply executed. With LA not having a solid footing at HB with Gurley questionable, the Rams will look to pass heavily.
More Injury Woes for the Atlanta Defense
Desmond Trufant missed the Arizona game due to an injured toe, and it proved costly. His status still is in question for this pivotal week 7 matchup. Not having Trufant in the lineup will make it much easier for Sean McVay and the Rams offense to control the game from the get-go. Isaiah Oliver just isn’t the guy.
Will We See Jalen Ramsey in Atlanta?
News broke Tuesday afternoon about the arrival of Jalen Ramsey to LA from Jacksonville in exchange for 1st round picks for 2020 and 2021 and a 4th rounder for 2021. This trade came on the heels of LA dealing Marcus Peters to Baltimore shortly after putting Talib on IR. It’s unknown if Jalen’s nagging back injury is real or if it was just a facade to prevent himself from playing for Jacksonville.
Prediction
Rams open the weekend as 3 point favorites in Atlanta, as they rightfully deserve. However, it’s really hard to imagine they win by only 3 points. Sure, the Rams defense is a bit banged up in the secondary, but so is Atlanta, and possibly worse. Atlanta Falcons vs LA Rams week 7 preview.
Rams – 31
Falcons – 21
I’m just not confident that Dan Quinn yet has a firm hold on this defense, even with his job hanging by the tiniest of threads.
Brutal Stretch Begins For Atlanta
Lastly, going forward, the Falcons have the toughest schedule for the remaining 10 games in the NFL. Falcons play Rams, Seahawks, Saints, and then Panthers with a bye in the middle of that stretch. With the exception of LA, all four teams have an above .500 record, Plus they still have to play a really hot, undefeated 49ers squad, who is my pick to win the NFC West. However, if Dan Quinn can turn this season around with this schedule going forward, Falcons will be a team to beat in the playoffs. That was the Atlanta Falcons vs LA Rams week 7 preview.
