Atlanta Falcons @ LA Rams Week 2 2022 Preview

Following an embarrassing home loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons face a daunting road trip to LA to face the defending Superbowl champions the LA Rams. Atlanta opened up as 10.5 point underdogs, the biggest underdog of week two. The Rams are coming off the back of a humbling home loss to the Buffalo Bills. LA have the advantage of an extra three days rest. The last time these 2 teams met was in October 2019, where the Rams ran out 37-10 winners in Atlanta. Under Arthur Smith, the Atlanta Falcons have won more games on the road (6), than they have at home (1). On their way to a 12-5 record, LA went 5-3 at home in 2021; the season ended with them being crowned Superbowl winners on home turf. Quarterback Matt Stafford is 2-3 against the Falcons in his career. 

Head to Head

Falcons D vs Rams O

The Falcons are facing a Rams offense that allowed seven sacks in week one vs. the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo didn't blitz the Rams at all in the season opener, they were able to get pressure rushing just four, and dropping everyone else into coverage. Rushing four goes against Dean Pees philosophy. Pees should consider blitzing less this week, despite his success doing it last Sunday. Matthew Stafford is a quarterback, who historically thrives against the blitz. Replicating Buffalo's gameplan will be extremely difficult for Atlanta given they have lesser talent at all 3 levels of their defense. If they can get some pressure rushing 4, it will allow them to double cover Superbowl MVP Cooper Kupp. Mykal Walker and Rashaan Evans will be vital to Atlanta shutting down the Rams offense, the Bills linebackers Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds sat on the rams dig route in zone coverage time and time again neutralizing the threat of Allen Robinson. Cooper Kupp is a match up nightmare for every defense in the NFL, I would suggest Dean Pees puts two men on him every play, we can't afford to leave AJ Terrell defending against him one on one. 

Apart from when Taysom Hill was rushing the football, Dean Pees defense was solid against the run on Sunday. If the LA Rams can have success on the ground, it'll be a long afternoon for Atlanta. An efficient run game opens up all of  Sean McVays play book. A lot of there run and play actions concepts look the same, so if the run game is successful, defending against his offense can be a nightmare. Despite winning the Superbowl, the Rams have struggled to run the football, dating back to last years playoffs. Nose tackle Anthony Rush was stout against the run, manhandling the New Orleans interior lineman in last weeks first half. Mykal Walker and Rashaan Evans offered the Falcons something, they didn't have last season; they played downhill against the run, filling up run lanes. Too often, last season Deion Jones was afraid to put his body on the line, when defending the run. Safety Richie Grant is going to be a fun chess piece for Dean Pees, Pees used Grant all over the field against the Saints. Grady Jarrett had a monster week one. Arnold Ebiketie and Lorenzo Carter flashed at edge rusher in week one combining for 1.5 sacks

Falcons O vs Rams D

Arthur Smiths offense challenges the opposition defense a multitude of different ways. Atlanta will ask a lot of questions of former Falcons interim coach Raheem Morris defense. Drake London led all rookie wideouts in receiving last weekend. London was money when Smith called the dagger concept on his side of the field. Even though, he was targeted a team high 7 times, Kyle Pitts was a non factor against the Saints. If Atlanta are to pull off a shock win, they'll need more output from their star tightend. Stopping Aaron Donald is next to impossible, but slowing him down is essential for the offense to put up points. Arthur Smith needs to be more aggressive in the passing game, he kept Mariota on a tight leash. I was surprised to see Kyle Pitts being used as a functional tightend in week one, Pitts should be utilized like Jimmy Graham was for the Saints years ago. Having him in line blocking is putting a square peg in a round hole. This week, I want to see Pitts moved around the field more, flank him out wide and go after the Rams secondary that gave up 257 yards to wide receivers in their season opener. 

The additions of Drew Dalman (was a back up last season) and Elijah Wilkinson (signed in free agency this offseason) made a big difference to the offensive lines play. Jalen Mayfield was the worst starting guard in the NFL, so it is no surprise that Wilkinson is a major upgrade. The Falcons rushed for 201 yards, including a career high day for Cordarelle Patterson with 120 rushing yards and one touchdown. Adding Mariota means the opposition defense has to account for the quarterback, when defending the run. Smith admitted this week, he should of gone for it on 4th down and 1 against New Orleans, so don't be surprised if he is more aggressive on 4th down in LA. Atlanta only allowed a league bests one quarterback hit in week one. They'll have to replicate that brilliant performance this week. Arthur Smith utilized the pistol formation often on Sunday, something Atlanta rarely ran with Matt Ryan under center. Leonard Floyd is expected to be healthy for Sundays game after injuring himself earlier in the week practicing.

Falcons vs Rams (Special Teams)

Younghoe Koo had a monster opening game to the 2022 season. Kicking 4 field goals and both his PATs. Atlanta's Avery Williams returned 3 punts for 42 yards. Matt Gay kicked his only field goal attempt from 57 yards and the kick would of been good from 68. LA's Brandon Powell returned 4 kickoffs for 67 yards.

A Rams Fan View

I asked the @thefantasyaddicts podcast some questions about the LA Rams. They can be followed on Instagram @thefantasyaddicts, Twitter @theFBaddicts and they run a podcast where you can catch an episode 5 days a week during the season on Spotify. They also keep you up to date on all things fantasy football @FantasyAddictsPodcast and are the LA Rams Fantasy Football Network scout team correspondent. 

Are you concerned by the week one defeat to the Buffalo Bills?

"Concerned from a back to back Super Bowl contender stand point yes in terms of how we will stack up for the rest of the regular season very minor. It was the first game with no preseason play from our starters a lot of new moving pieces with little to no chemistry I think you will see a bounce back against Atlanta this week"

How will the Rams season finish?

"Definitely see our Rams as still the top dog in the division, we still have multiple top 5 players in their respective positions (Donald, Staff, Kupp, Ramsey) as well as a top coach in the league and they are going to figure it out. In terms on winning another Super Bowl at this point in time there’s alot of things we need to learn about each other and be better I still think we’re definitely contenders."

What is the Rams biggest strength? 

"Rams biggest strength is that he Stafford & Kupp connection, if all else fails they will always come through and once the pieces around them start to gel this offence will be extremely hard to stop."

What is the Rams biggest weakness?

"Rams biggest concern is our offensive line although the Bills front is top tier the amount of sacks and pressures caused from just a 4 man rush was extremely worrisome which lead to no run game and when our rushing attack is firing on all cylinders that’s when Mcvay & Stafford are at their best feeding off the play action."

Score Prediction?

"Huge bounce back from the Rams. 30-14."

Betting Odds

Spread: Rams -10

Moneyline: Falcons +375 Rams -500

Over/Under: 46.5 points

My Prediction 

Falcons 20 - 27 Rams. 

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