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Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams: 5 X-factors for Divisional Round

By Stephen Forsha

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 09: The Dallas Cowboys celebrate the 62-yard field goal by Brett Maher #2 of the Dallas Cowboys at the end of the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 09, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 09: The Dallas Cowboys celebrate the 62-yard field goal by Brett Maher #2 of the Dallas Cowboys at the end of the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 09, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 16: Running back Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates his touchdown with offensive tackle Rob Havenstein #79 to take a 7-3 lead in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 16: Running back Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates his touchdown with offensive tackle Rob Havenstein #79 to take a 7-3 lead in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

3. Rob Havenstein‘s pass protection

The right side of the offensive line for the Los Angeles Rams has the daunting task of stopping the likes of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence and defensive tackle Maliek Collins, to name just two Cowboys defensive linemen.

Havenstein is a solid right tackle for the Rams, as Pro Football Focus (subscription required) has him graded at 84.4 (on a scale of 100), as his play has improved tremendously from a season ago when he was graded at 70.9.

The right tackle of the Rams, Havenstein, will not only be needed to have a good game with his pass protection, but the Rams need Havenstein to be at the top of his game for the returning Todd Gurley as the Rams will be sure to use the abilities of Gurley to take time off the clock and keep the offense of the Cowboys off the field.

With the matchup of Lawrence vs. Havenstein being of vast importance, the play of Havenstein is definitely an X-Factor in the NFC Divisional Round showdown. This might not be the most exciting X-Factor of them all, but it could become the most important one of the entire game, as Jared Goff and Gurley’s play could be positive or negative depending on how Havenstein defends the likes of Lawrence.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.

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