LA Rams forecast for Week 16 vs. Vikings? Sony skies

The LA Rams have been winning. In fact, the team is enjoying a three-game winning streak. Perhaps not so coincidentally, the LA Rams have turned the running duties over to veteran Sony Michel, and have enjoyed some of their best offensive performances thanks to his powerful through-the-hole runs.

In three starts, the Rams are currently undefeated at 3-0. Those wins include beating the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Seattle Seahawks. In the past three games, Michel has rushed 62 times for 292 yards and a touchdown.

Not only has the rushing attack moved the chains and tacked on vital yardage, but the presence of a feasible rushing attack has been incredibly helpful for quarterback Matthew Stafford as well. In the three games prior to Michel, Stafford threw 78 of 127 for 839 yards, five touchdowns, five interceptions, and was sacked nine times for 77 yards loss.

Sony starts making a difference

But since Sony Michel has started, Stafford has thrown 70 of 97 passes for 826 yards, eight touchdowns, one interception, and was sacked eight times for 60 yards loss. The difference? 30 fewer passes, eight fewer completions, 13 fewer yards, three more TDs, four fewer interceptions, one fewer sack, and 17 fewer loss yards.

If the LA Rams are looking at the same data as this, then it’s pretty clear what must be done. The LA Rams must start and run Sony Michel in Week 16. It’s just as simple as that.

Of course, it’s not just putting Sony Michel on the field and handing him the football. The LA Rams have reworked their offensive line to help support a power running game. To do that, the Rams have used more 12-personnel packages. And the team has even used an extra offensive lineman as well.

With fewer passes and more uncertainty with the defense as to whether the Rams would run or pass, the odds have returned in favor of the Rams’ offense on any given play.

Given the fact that the Minnesota Vikings boast the best pass rush in the NFL, it would be very wise for the Rams not to paint a bullseye on the back of their quarterback. Keeping the defense guessing, particularly one that can be had by a solid rushing attack, makes complete sense for this week’s offensive strategy for the Rams.

The weather forecast is calling for up to four inches of fresh snow for Minneapolis, Minnesota today. But the NFL weather forecast for US Bank Stadium at 401 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis is Sony (Michel) with a strong rush of wind out of the NFC West.

In other words, this could be a glorious day for LA Rams fans.