3 LA Rams players who are due for big game in Week 10

The LA Rams are entering one of the most difficult months of their 2021 NFL Season. The Rams have already lost to the Tennessee Titans. On Monday Night Football this week, the team must travel to and face their divisional rival the San Francisco 49ers. Finally, to close out this month, the Rams must travel to and face the Green Bay Packers

Curiously, the next two games are on the road, and the LA Rams have been a far more effective team from hotel rooms. The LA Rams are 4-0 on the road so far this season, but only 3-2 when they take the field at SoFi Stadium.

With this week’s news over the loss of veteran wide receiver Robert Woods for the season due to an ACL injury, all eyes will be trained upon the Rams offense and newly acquired wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.  The problem with setting overly optimistic expectations is the inevitable disappointment that comes with OBJ not showing up as large as fans hoped.

Rams defense Gaining strength

Don’t fret too quickly. The LA Rams have some players who are building up for a sensational game, and they have a solid opportunity to make a difference. The first such breakout player is defensive lineman Greg Gaines. When the Rams lost nose tackle Sebastian Joseph Day, the defense turned to Gaines to step up his game.

Over the past two games, Gaines has put up seven tackles and a quarterback sack. But more so, the Rams run defense has been very effective. The Rams defense shut down the Houston Texans in three quarters before the starters were pulled.  Against a very potent Tennessee Titans offense, the Rams defense was smothering. The Titans only put up 69 yards on the ground, far less than even a Derrick Henry-less offense was expected to do.

Gaines was clearly a difference-maker. Not Just a guy who cannot be pushed off the line of scrimmage. He has developed some cat-like moves  – both agility and speed – to become a problem for offenses during misdirection plays too. The Rams defensive line will need to be anchored by a circus strong man. Gaines is that type of powerful player.