After earning a much-needed win over the Dallas Cowboys, the Detroit Lions will head out west to face the No. 1 team in the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams.
With the Lions dealing with several injuries on defense, while facing arguably one of the best offenses in the NFL this season, many are doubting that Detroit can win a statement game on the road. However, Dan Campbell and the Lions have proved the doubters wrong before.
The Lions are 2-1 against the Rams since trading quarterback Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff, with one of those wins marking Detroit’s first NFL playoff appearance in 32 years.
As they prepare to face off once again against their former franchise quarterback, here are the biggest keys for the Lions to pull off the upset on Sunday over the Rams.
Defense against Puka Nacua
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nauca has put on a phenomenal performance in his third NFL season. Nacua is second in the NFL in receiving behind Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba with 93 receptions for 1,186 receiving yards and six touchdown catches.
Entering Sunday's matchup against the Lions, Nacua is expected to be one of the top targets that the Rams offense will use to find success against the Lions' defense. With the Lions' secondary depleted, defending against Nacua will be a major challenge for the defense entering Sunday’s matchup.
Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard will have to come up with creative ways to defend against Nacua.
Limit and create turnovers
If the Lions are to win on Sunday, they are likely to do so in a high-scoring game. The Lions' ability to create turnovers will be a huge key in Detroit pulling off the upset win over the Rams. On offense, one turnover is all it could take for the Lions to be taken out of the game. That is why the Lions must take care of the football if they hope to beat the Rams.
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In the win against the Cowboys, a key factor in the Lions' victory was their ability to take care of the football on offense, while forcing Dallas to commit three turnovers in its 44-30 win.
Long successful offensive drives
Time of possession will also play a pivotal role in Sunday’s game between the Rams and Lions. With the Rams being just about a touchdown favorite against the Lions, keeping Los Angeles’ high-powered offense off the field throughout the game with long possession drives will be a difference maker.
With the chance of a high-scoring game, Sunday’s game could come down to the final possession.