Offensive fireworks on MNF docket
Who has the better offence: the Los Angeles Rams or the Kansas City Chiefs?
Hours from now we’ll get a one-night answer, as these juggernauts square off in one of the most hyped matchups in the 49-season history of Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. EST, TSN via ESPN).
Each team is 9-1, each owns the best record in its conference, and each can carve up a defence like few offences in league annals.
So what if it’s not exactly a fair litmus test.
Originally this primetime game was scheduled for a neutral field, in Mexico City. But last Tuesday the NFL deemed the chewedup playing surface at Azteca Stadium unfit, and relocated the game to the Rams’ home field: the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
It’s the first Monday nighter in Los Angeles since 1985.
On paper, the matchup could hardly be more compelling. Coaches and players on both teams seem fine with that.
“I think we always want to embrace the opportunity to be able to play in those types of games. It’s a blessing to even be a part of games like this,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said.
“You don’t want to make it bigger than it is, but I certainly wouldn’t ever have our players shy away from enjoying the moment.
“But what we don’t want to do is press, do things that are out of the norm in terms of our weekly preparation, the way that we go about it. We have a whole lot of respect for the Chiefs, but we want to be consistent with our process, with our approach. Hopefully, (that) leads to a good performance.”
It would shock everybody if this game isn’t rife with scoring. Even in the NFL’s year of off-the-charts offence, these two teams might field the most dangerous of the bunch.
The Rams’ attack — masterminded by second-year head coach McVay — is piloted by third-year quarterback Jared Goff, who entered the weekend second in passing yards with 3,134 and seventh in TD passes with 22.
The Chiefs’ attack — schemed up by Andy Reid, in his 19th year as an NFL head coach — is led by second-year quarterback (and first-year starter) Patrick Mahomes, who has exploded onto the NFL scene.
He entered the week leading the league in both passing yards (3,150) and TD passes (31).
Surrounding Goff and Mahomes are some of the league’s most prolific and exciting playmakers.
On paper the Rams defence is much more talented than Kansas City’s, which for the second straight year ranks among the worst in the league, statistically.
But L.A.’s defence has been gouged in some games.
The Chiefs rank first in the NFL in total yards per play (7.15), second in pass yards per play (8.86) and second in points per game (35.3).
The Rams rank second in total yards per play (7.12), first in pass yards per play (9.08) and third in points per game (33.5).