8 Rams players who could shine in Week 18, and into 2023

One last hurrah

There was no doubt that the LA Rams found a fit when the team took a flyer by claiming quarterback Baker Mayfield off the Carolina Panthers waiver wire. since that time, Mayfield has been rather impressive with his immediate command of the LA Rams offense. And in that time, he has found ways to find tight end Tyler Higbee in the end zone three times. Can these two connect for one last hurrah?

While quarterback Baker Mayfield has shown to have a command of the LA Rams offense, he has not flashed the ability to carry the load. While that is not a ding on him, it’s simply an observation that has proven to be true in the four games he has played for the LA Rams. He has an excellent 67 percent completion rate, and he has thrown four touchdowns with just one interception. But he has topped off at 230 yards in two of the four games while being held to under 140 yards passing in two other games.

If Mayfield wants to start in the NFL, he must throw for over 300 yards and multiple touchdowns in the season finale. Anything less than that will not sway those NFL teams who may be on the fence over his chances. And the NFL is projected to have multiple veteran quarterbacks in the NFL Free Agency market. Mayfield needs to put up his best game of the season to attract a lucrative contract.

Time for Tyler

There is no doubt that Mayfield loves to throw to LA Rams tight end Tyler Higbee. But even with the sudden surge in production in recent weeks, Higbee is just shy of his 600 receiving yards, a mark that triggers a $125,000 bonus in his contract. That is enough of an incentive to make him a favored target in Week 18. In fact, it’s so obvious that former Rams quarterback Jim Everett is calling attention to that fact:

Will Higbee hit his mark? Hopefully yes. While Tyler Higbee is just 13 yards shy of the 600 receiving yards mark, he is 147 yards and two touchdowns away from his career highs. Is that a possibility? Perhaps not, but he did catch nine of 11 passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns on Christmas Day against one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL.  The last time Tyler Higbee faced the Seattle Seahawks, he caught just two of five passes for 14 yards.  But that was John Wolford in the pocket and not Baker Mayfield.

Look for Higbee to have a good game, and earn that bonus. After that, anything goes.