The Los Angeles Rams will have a quick turnaround when they hit the road for a NFC West showdown versus the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is all too familiar with the challenges of having a short week to prepare for a formidable opponent. The timing is hardly ideal considering the Rams were just handed their first loss of the 2021 NFL season versus another divisional opponent in the Arizona Cardinals.
While players like left tackle Andrew Whitworth view it as an opportunity to quickly turn the page, there is no denying the challenges that come with only a couple of days of preparation in such a crucial week.
Even if he does not like it, Ramsey does not deny the business aspect of Thursday Night Football, via ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry:
“I never like the quick turnaround coming off a win, loss, whatever. Not a fan of Thursday night football,” Ramsey said. “But it is what it is, it’s good for TV, it’s good for ratings, it’s good for the league, so it is what it is. We’ve got to kind of say ‘F this game’ and we got a game in three days, four days, something like that, and it’s an important game, another division game, so we got to kind of put our focus there real quick.”
Although there is certainly plenty of truth to Ramsey’s comments, L.A. cannot afford to drop two divisional games so early in the season. If they hope to follow through on their hopes of a chance at a Super Bowl, they must first make it through the gauntlet that is the NFC West.
The Rams have three starters listed as limited participants on their official injury report in running back Darrell Henderson (ribs), safety Taylor Rapp (ankle) and tight end Tyler Higbee (ankle). Since the short week offers little time for recovery, the team is taking any precautions they can to avoid a potential setback.
Fortunately, a player of Ramsey’s caliber is better equipped than most to deal with tough assignments on short notice. However, it remains to be seen how defensive coordinator Raheem Morris plans on utilizing him against the Seahawks’ tandem of D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Ramsey has seen a significant increase in snaps from the slot and while he continues to thrive, cornerbacks Darious Williams and David Long have struggled at times on the outside.
