How 6 Rams rookies can flip the entire NFC Playoff race on its ear in Week 3

(1) - Beaux Limmer

What's the meaning of putting rookie center Beaux Limmer atop this list of rookies whose Week 3 performance can flip the entire NFC Playoff race on its ear? Well, while we seldom acknowledge the importance of the offensive center, nobody has a more important job in Week 3 than former Arkansas Razorback center Beaux Limmer.

First of all, Limmer has the dubious honor of calling out protections. That is difficult enough with a group of offensive linemen who have trained and practiced together for weeks. But the Rams offensive line has been such a turnstyle that Limmer will enter Week 3 with an entirely new configuration. His left guard for Week 3 will most likely be IOL Logan Bruss, and starting left tackle Alaric Jackson is finally off his two game suspension.

And Limmer has to call the shots and ensure that everyone knows their assignment on every snap of the football.

The 49ers defensive front loves to test new offensive linemen. And so, you can expect a spectrum of stunts, blitzes, and other wrinkles aimed at confusing an offensive line unit that has had almost no time to work out the bugs. It will be up to Limmer to keep everyone on task.

So far, Limmer has taken 93 offensive snaps. That's huge for just two games. Better still, he has not drawn a penalty flag nor allowed a quarterback sack. With the primary objective of keeping Matthew Stafford healthy and upright, that is a huge plus.

Now comes the graduate work. Limmer has to lead the charge to freeing up the Rams running backs. The team has to get their rushing offense going, and that starts with a center who can open running lanes. The 49ers are going to stunt and blitz the Rams relentlessly. But, if the Rams can create a crease, the running backs have a shot of taking it to the house.

After two grueling games, I think Limmer is up to the challenge of Week 3. He is a powerful center, and I can see the Rams getting far more rushing yards in Week 3 than the team has averaged.

The Rams have so many rookies vying for playing time. I think they step up in a huge way in Week 3. After all, it's now or never.

If the Rams can pull off a major upset victory in Week 3, the NFC Playoff picture will be flipped on its ear. If the Rams lose, their 0-2 start to the NFC West Division is a pretty deep hole to climb out of if postseason is the goal. I like this team as a home dog. It's just the type of topsy-turvy narrative that the NFL needs to electrify this 2024 NFL season.

As always, thanks for reading.