Week 2’s Los Angeles Rams versus Tennessee Titans matchup is a battle of veteran and rookie quarterbacks. Newcomer Cam Ward and experienced gunslinger Matthew Stafford have nearly opposite playing styles, but both teams believe that they can lead them to a successful season.
In Week 1, the Rams won a close defensive battle against the Texans at home, in which Stafford reached the 60,000-career passing yard mark. Despite the win, the Rams struggled with penalties and turnovers, but also created key takeaways, including a game-clinching forced fumble by Nate Landman.
Heading into Week 2, the Rams shift their focus to Ward, the No. 1 overall pick, who will make his first career home start. In Week 1 against the Broncos, Ward struggled with consistency but showed flashes of playmaking and scrambling ability, skills that made him successful in college. However, as a rookie quarterback facing an experienced coach like Sean McVay, winning will be a tall order.
“You’ve only got like 50-something snaps in the preseason,” said Rams defensive coordinator in Wednesday’s press conference, concerned about the limited amount of film the Rams had on Ward as a professional.
Stafford is looking for his first career win against the Titans, currently holding a 0-4 record, though only one of those losses came with the Rams. A key player will be wide receiver Puka Nacua, who left part of Week 1’s game under concussion protocol, but still made a huge impact. He caught 10 of 11 targets for 130 yards and a touchdown, and also converted a crucial 3rd-and-8 to seal the win. The biggest question for Nacua is staying healthy —if he does, he has the talent to be seen as one of the league’s top receivers.
The Titans’ offense is led by running back Tony Pollard, now the every-down back after Tyjae Spears’ injury, and wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
With Ward still adjusting to the NFL, both Pollard and Ridley will play major roles in helping him get comfortable in his second career start. On defense, Tennessee leans on star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, one of the league’s most disruptive players. The Rams’ interior offensive line must contain Simmons to give Stafford time in the pocket, where he is most effective.
The Rams’ defense will need to prepare for Ward’s playmaking and scrambling when the pocket breaks down. If the Rams’ front-seven does not stay disciplined in their approach, they will get burned by Ward’s elusiveness.
On paper, this game leans in the Rams’ favor. But a rookie quarterback on the other side, nothing is guaranteed. McVay and his staff will need to prepare for anything the Titans might bring. This week gives the Rams a huge opportunity to move to 2-0 in an incredibly competitive NFC West that only featured one loss in Week 1. An early-year game against a rookie is a prime opportunity for a victory, and it puts pressure on the Rams to stay undefeated.