LA Rams: 5 Bold Predictions for Week 1 vs The Dallas Cowboys

LA Rams: 5 Bold Predictions for Week 1 vs The Dallas Cowboys

The LA Rams are closing in rapidly with their football season.  With football coming around the corner and the Dallas Cowboys coming to town, the Rams would love a repeat of the result from the 2018 NFC divisional round. This past season matchup vs Dallas wasn’t one to write home about but the Rams staff feels confident in this year’s matchup. This first game could be pivotal in the outlook of the 2020 season.

A win would be huge in the first week as the following week the Rams travel to Philadelphia to face a tough Eagles team. The Cowboys roster is stacked and should be a true test to start off the season. However, the Cowboys are without veteran center Travis Frederick. For a win to happen, we need some players to step up. Here are some bold predictions for week 1 at SoFi stadium:

1. Jalen Ramsey Holds Amari Cooper to under 20 receiving yards

Could Ramsey lockdown Cooper again? I certainly think it’s likely. In the 2019 matchup vs Dallas, Ramsey held Cooper to one reception for 19 receiving yards. This happened to be the 2nd time he had went man to man on Cooper. The first matchup they had, it was almost the same result. In 2016 Cooper had one reception for four yards against Ramsey.

This isn’t a discredit to Cooper though as it just shows how shutdown Ramsey can be. Ramsey even stated this last year ” I personally think he’s (Cooper) in my opinion, one of the most underrated receivers in the league”. That’s high praise from Ramsey knowing how open and honest he can be about certain players. For a Rams win, containing Cooper is crucial in week one.

2. Cam Akers will have 3 rushing touchdowns

In the rookie’s debut, Cam Akers is going to be seeing a lot of opportunities, especially with the recent injury of Darrell Henderson. There’s optimism that Henderson will be back by that time, but we know how much those hamstring injuries can linger. In this offense, Akers is a threat to score every time he has the ball in his hands.

He was very productive in 2019 averaging five yards-per-carry and rushing for 14 touchdowns. All this being done with one of the worst graded out offensive lines in the nation last year. There’s a reason Sean Mcvay was so thrilled about the Akers pick on draft night and I think he will burst on to the scene straight out of the gates on week 1.

3. Lirim Hajrullahu will go a perfect 3/3 on field-goal attempts

Now I know the kicker hasn’t been confirmed yet but it certainly looks like Lirim Hajrullahu is leading the pack. In Saturday nights scrimmage, Hajrullahu was a perfect four out of four on attempts. That’s the type of consistency the Rams need to have for a smooth transition from one of the games best in Greg Zuerlein (now with the Dallas Cowboys). Hajrullahu is a two-time all-star in the CFL and a Grey cup champion.

The LA Rams brought in Hajrullahu for a good reason. He is deadly accurate.

4. Tyler Higbee will lead the team in receiving yards

Most of the media around the NFL world are unsure if tight-end Tyler Higbee will carry on his dominance from the end of 2019, But I’m here to tell you to expect the same type of production. Using the two-tight ends set proved to be very successful for the Rams offense.

So why would McVay move away from that in 2020? Especially against the highly touted Cowboys defensive line. Moving to this personnel showed an uptick in the targets for Higbee, and you should fully expect the same amount of targets, especially against the current safeties the Cowboys have on their roster.

5. Rob Havenstein will not allow a QB pressure

In the 2018 divisional round vs Dallas, Demarcus Lawrence had stated “He wanted to take Jared Goff’s soul” and Havenstein as well as the tight ends didn’t allow that to happen. Havenstein had a rough 2019 season but at the same time, he was also injured. The sixth-year veteran said he has been working hard, training with fellow tackle Andrew Whitworth at the Whitworth residence all offseason. McVay has said on multiple occasions this offseason that Havenstein looks great and is performing well.

McVay is 2-1 vs the Dallas Cowboys and looking to go 3-1. The NFL world expects the Dallas Cowboys to be much better, especially with their excellent draft class they brought in this offseason. Will coach Mike McCarthy bring them over the top? Possibly. But I fully expect the Rams to get the win vs the Cowboys in their first-ever game at SoFi stadium.