Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Los Angeles Rams: Three keys for a victory in week 6

Limit Todd Gurley and make Jared Goff have to beat you

The Rams are going to look to their star running back to make plays on Sunday, and the Jaguars need to keep him under wraps and make the Rams put the game on quarterback Jared Goff.

After facing much criticism for their run defense, Jacksonville stifled Le’Veon Bell last week in Pittsburgh, and will aim to carry over that same performance this Sunday. The Jaguars know they possess arguably the best pass defense in the league, so the goal against Los Angeles should be to not let Todd Gurley beat you, and put the ball in the hands of Jared Goff and let the secondary lock-down any passing threat.

The Jaguars basically need to duplicate what the Seattle Seahawks did last week when they defeated the Rams. The Seahawks held Gurley to just 43 yards rushing and made Goff beat them, which resulted in a two-interception, no touchdown performance from the second-year quarterback. Jacksonville needs to prevent Gurley from getting comfortable and into a zone and make the Rams put the game on Goff’s shoulders, allowing stars like Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye to go to work.

Stopping Todd Gurley isn’t just limited to not letting him break runs. It also means not letting him be a factor out of the backfield as well. Gurley is a threat in the screen game and working the flats in the passing game, so the Jacksonville defense must be disciplined and keep their assignments.

Not letting Todd Gurley be a factor and forcing Jared Goff to make plays on his own will go a long way in keeping the Rams offense in disarray on Sunday.