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Los Angeles Rams Preseason: 5 Storylines vs Raiders

By Greg Archuleta

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 01: New Wide receiver Sammy Watkins will get his first action of the Rams preseason exhibition game against the Raiders. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 01: New Wide receiver Sammy Watkins will get his first action of the Rams preseason exhibition game against the Raiders. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Rams preseason continues Saturday at the Oakland Raiders with the stakes getting higher

The third exhibition game usually is the intriguing game for NFL teams, but the Los Angeles Rams preseason game No. 2 has considerable significance. Because of the Rams’ subpar 2016 season, critics were going to scrutinize them more in 2017. That became more evident with the change in coaching staff.

Los Angeles’ exhibition opener against the Cowboys really didn’t answer any significant questions. Quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley played only eight snaps. The team didn’t have a deep threat going into the game, with both veteran Tavon Austin and rookie Josh Reynolds sidelined with injuries. The defense played without All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald.

Since then, the Rams traded for another deep threat in Sammy Watkins, and Reynolds has returned. That puts Goff under the microscope this week. Donald, who is holding out in hopes of a more lucrative contract, may miss regular-season games.

That brings a sharper focus to the Rams preseason preparations as they travel to Oakland for a game with the Raiders. Here are five keys to watch:

5. Rams secondary

The Los Angeles Rams secondary will see their first starting quarterback in 2017. The San Jose Mercury News reported that the Raiders’ Derek Carr will play at least the first quarter and may extend into the second quarter.

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Starters Trumaine Johnson and Kayvon Webster will get to see Oakland wideouts Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. The matchups are significant for both. Johnson is entering his second franchise tag year, and he may still be able to land a long-term contract if he shows how he fits in defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ scheme.

Webster had been battling E.J. Gaines for a starting spot, but the Rams sent him to the Buffalo Bills in the trade that brought Sammy Watkins. That means opponents will be more than willing to test the first-time starter. Backup Michael Jordan had an impressive first game and will look to become the first sub off the bench.

4. Deep passing threats

The Rams may have found the answer to the questions of how they could stretch the field on defenses when they traded for Watkins. The Rams sent Gaines and a second-round pick for Watkins, who has been injury-prone and is playing in a contract year. They must find out quickly how durable he is and how he might Goff grow as a quarterback.

ESPN.com reported that Goff said Watkins was sharp during his first week of practice in Los Angeles. But rookie Josh Reynolds also will see his first action after a strained quadriceps muscle has limited during most of the Rams preseason. The fourth-round pick out of Texas A&M also has looked sharp in practice since his return.

The status of the duo could put injured Tavon Austin’s future in Los Angeles in the air.

3. Gurley and the running game

Gurley had four carries for two yards in the exhibition opener against the Cowboys. Part of that was due to the new Rams offensive line looking for cohesion. But after Gurley’s nightmarish 2016 season, the Rams need to the line open some holes for Gurley. And for Gurley to explode through them.

Gurley’s confidence certainly could use a long run or two, even in the preseason. Even though the Rams now have the potential of a deep threat at wide receiver in Watkins, Gurley remains the focal point of the offense.

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With the status of backup Lance Dunbar still in the air due to injury, free agent Justin Davis out of USC could build on the resume he started last week with his 70-yard effort against the Cowboys. He has to show this week that he can take care of the football. Last week, he fumbled twice, marring his performance.

2. Life without Donald

The Rams defense has been without Donald, its All-Pro end, for all of training camp. Hopefully, coach Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips have been planning for contingencies in case Donald misses several regular-season games. News earlier this week of Donald’s potential prolonged absence should not have come as a shock to the Rams.

Either way, the defense needs to begin preparing for an extended time without Donald as their anchor. That means Phillips has to take more advantage of outside linebackers Robert Quinn and Connor Barth.

Their ability to rush the quarterback will take pressure off Johnson and Webster in the secondary, but their task is more complicated without opposing offenses having to commit a double-team to Donald.

1. Evaluation of Goff

McVay explained away Goff’s measly number of snaps against the Cowboys during his postgame news conference last week. But now, Goff has a deep-threat weapon that he lacked all of last season in Watkins. The Rams offense, which ranked last in the NFL last season, needs to show significant progress.

The first unit has to put together multiple long drives together. Goff has to show the ability to throw the deep ball. With defenses now respecting the over-the-top threat, Goff also should have room to work underneath. As a result, his progressions, reads and decision have to be much sharper than they were last season and even last week.

Next: NFL Power Rankings 2017: Preseason Week 2

Goff has struggled through interceptions during practice as he has attempted to expand his role in the offense. He doesn’t need to be perfect, but he does need to show that he’s making strides and that he can take advantage of the weapons he now has.

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