Rams need Jaylen Watson to reverse surprising struggles in Week 3 vs Broncos

While his former Kansas City Chiefs teammate Trent McDuffie has starred early, cornerback Jaylen Watson is off to a bumpier start. For many a Los Angeles Rams fan, including this one, that might come as something of a surprise. 

In two games according to PFF Watson has allowed a 121.4 passer rating, which sits comfortably in the bottom 20 percent among qualified cornerbacks. Pro Football Reference is a bit harsher, charging Watson with a passer rating of 150.4. 

By PFR's count, he's allowed seven catches on targets, including two touchdowns, at 17.3 yards per reception. Has it really been that bad? 

Perhaps not. Numbers do lie, at least a little. But frankly, Watson needs to find his groove before the Rams' Sunday night tilt in Denver. If he doesn't, he'll get burned by whoever McDuffie isn't covering between the Broncos' receiving duo of Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton. 

Rams need stickier coverage from Jaylen Watson in Week 3

Limiting Denver's passing attack will be a key to victory. Led by J.K. Dobbins -  rookie Jonah Coleman, the Broncos' RB2, has been ruled out against the Rams due to injury - the ground game hasn't packed much of a punch. Broncos backs have rushed for 130 yards at 4.1 per carry on the season. That's not abysmal, but it's not scary either. 

Watson and his fellow Rams DBs will thus be tasked with staunching the potent part of Denver's assault, concentrated in downfield explosives from Waddle and Sutton. The latter is off to a slow start but coming off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Watson can't afford to leave his man open for chunk plays. 

Recognized by some as the superior pure cover corner between himself and McDuffie, Watson has not graded out well thus far. PFF gives him a bottom-third 52.2 coverage grade, while placing him in the upper quartile among run-defending cornerbacks with a mark of 74.4. He's still a tough, physical force, but his coverage skills haven't been up to par. 

Watson's season grades are not a product of Week 1's collective embarrassment. While he was charged with both touchdowns against the 49ers, he came back and allowed four catches on five targets in Week 2, even facing backup quarterback Jameis Winston for the vast majority of the game. Receivers gained 17 yards per catch and Watson surrendered a passer rating of 118.7. 

Although he'll get help from safeties Quentin Lake and Kam Curl, they'll also be busy watching tight end Evan Engram and young wideout Pat Bryant. Watson will have to win his one-on-ones against Sutton or Waddle. Putting the Broncos in scoring position via long completions is the easiest way the Rams lose this game. 

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