NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

NFL Playoffs 2019: One X-factor for each team in Conference Championships

By Randy Gurzi

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 27: Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams is sacked by Dannell Ellerbe #59 of the New Orleans Saints and Cameron Jordan #94 during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 27, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 27: Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams is sacked by Dannell Ellerbe #59 of the New Orleans Saints and Cameron Jordan #94 during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 27, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 16: Cornerback Marcus Peters #22 of the Los Angeles Rams urges on the crowd during the fourth 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: Cornerback Marcus Peters #22 of the Los Angeles Rams urges on the crowd during the fourth 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 Rams: Marcus Peters, Cornerback

The New Orleans Saints are a fantastic passing offense. Even though he may come up short behind Patrick Mahomes, quarterback Drew Brees put together a season that puts him in the middle of the MVP talks. He had insane accuracy as he completed 74.4 percent of his passes and finished with 32 touchdowns against just five interceptions.

More from Kansas City Chiefs

His favorite target was Michael Thomas, who led the NFL with 125 receptions this season. Thomas ended up with 1,405 yards and nine touchdowns as well. His ability to take over a game is well-known and the Los Angeles Rams have to be focused on him in order to stop this Saints offense.

That means their X-Factor has to be Marcus Peters. Last week, Peters drew the assignment of guarding Amari Cooper and things didn’t go that well. Sure, Peters had a lot to say after the game and believes he got the better of Cooper, but he still ended up with 65 yards and a touchdown.

If the Rams want to win this game, they need to do even better against Thomas. And that will all fall on the shoulders of Peters. He’s going to have to not only slow him down, but possibly even come up with a big turnover. If he does, the Rams chances of winning increase significantly.

Home/NFL