5 Keys To Victory: St. Louis Rams Vs. New York Giants – Revisited

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

1.) Triple WR Odell Beckham

Beckham went off yet again to the tune of 8/148/2 against a Rams defense that had not allowed a touchdown in three straight games. The rookie phenom caught his first score in the corner of the endzone after beating SS T.J. McDonald in the first quarter. His second came on an 80 yard bomb at the end of the third quarter when he sprinted right through the defense up the seam. The Rams certainly did not limit his production at all, and they also committed several penalties against him throughout the game.

2.) Pressure Eli

Eli had a clean pocket all day long. Even when he has pressured, he stepped up in the pocket easily and found his receivers all over the field. He completed 25 of 32 passes for 391 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. His final passer rating was 148.8. McDonald got the only sack on the day for the Rams when he came on a blitz from the right side.

3.) Lean on RB Tre Mason

The Rams never had a lead, so they were forced to become one-dimensional. Mason gashed the defense, but he had limited opportunities because St. Louis needed to put up quick points. He finished with 76 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown. Had Mason been given 20-25 carries he would have eclipsed 100 yards easily. Unfortunately, he was taken out for RB Benny Cunningham, who is the team’s most skilled receiving back.

4.) Utilize WR Tavon Austin in the run game

Austin was used on screens and sweeps, but on one screen attempt the ball bounced off his hands and was intercepted. He carried the ball three times for 25 yards and caught one pass for 15 yards.

5.) Protect QB Shaun Hill

Hill got better protection than last week, but he still took his lumps against the Giants. He was hit five times and sacked twice. Hill finished with a decent game through the air, as he amassed 291 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. These last few games should remind the team and the front office that they need a better than average quarterback under center to compete consistently.

Check back with us before the Rams play the Seahawks to see our keys to victory.