3 ways for LA Rams to stuff Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott

Slide-in four defensive linemen

The LA Rams have a deep roster at defensive linemen for a 3-4 defense. The Rams carry three starters and three reserves. So why not make use of the roster talent? The Cowboys will no doubt be looking to run the ball against a Rams 3-4 defensive front. So if the Rams threw a 4-3 front at them and their substitute offensive linemen, could they handle it?

I don’t think they could. To be honest, I suspect many NFL teams will struggle with unexpected defensive looks by the Rams this season. The Dallas Cowboys offense will simply be the first to fall victim to it.  The Cowboys enter the game with at least two new offensive linemen at the center and offensive tackle.  The Cowboys left guard, Conner Williams, battled injuries in training camp, so while he starts, his health is very suspect in the opener.

Put pressure on sitting Duck..er…Dak

Even when the Rams go with three defensive linemen, they can put tremendous pressure on Prescott by blitzing him up the middle. Prescott is good when he plays from a clean pocket. But when the running game isn’t there, and he must pass the Cowboys to a win, he often ends up on the short end of the scoreboard.

The Rams have that kind of defense that can force Prescott into making all kinds of errors. And you know that while the Cowboys new head coach Mike McCarthy has put on a good show so far, that all goes out the window on game day.  You know he wants to pass the ball, and if the Rams stop Elliott in the first half, that is just what McCarthy will do. This leads us to the best strategy of all…