The Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys face off on Sunday afternoon and this game could make a significant impact on the playoff race. The Rams will be the road team at AT&T Stadium when they play this game, but they still have a big advantage in this matchup.
Let's breakdown four reasons the Rams will defeat the Cowboys and keep their playoff hopes alive.
4. Confidence
Confidence can go a long way and as the Rams head into this game, they have a lot of it. Meanwhile, the Cowboys do not. Los Angeles has won two games in a row in dominant fashion against the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks.
The Cowboys have a lot of turmoil surrounding their team and a significant amount of that has been caused by Jerry Jones. Jones continues to bash the coaching staff and it's pretty clear they are calling games timidly as a result.
The Cowboys have lost three games in a row and even though they still control their destiny in the NFC East, their lack of confidence has been clear. If they get down early, it wouldn't be shocking to see the Cowboys just fold.
3. Jason Garrett
At this point, Jason Garrett is not getting the best out of his players. It appears the players have quit on him and it's hard to imagine the Cowboys won't move on from him this offseason. In the meantime, a lack of results on the field should be expected.
As for the Rams, Sean McVay has had his own issues this season, but the players still respect him and he has gotten his players to play well coming into this game. Los Angeles has a big advantage ins this regard and it will be key in deciding the outcome.
2. Todd Gurley
Todd Gurley still isn't playing up to the level that he was over the last few seasons, but he is finally a threat again. He is something the defense needs to close pay attention to.
Let's not forget, Gurley is coming off a game against the Seahawks where he rushed 23 times for 79 yards and a touchdown. The Seahawks were trying to take away the run and if they wouldn't have made that their focus, there is no doubt he would have had an even bigger game.
When defenses are focused on the run game, it opens up the passing game. That will prove to be a significant advantage for the Rams. The Cowboys have to worry about taking away Gurley and that will open up the field for Goff, or even vice versa.
1. Jared Goff
One of the players on that Rams that has been thriving lately has been Jared Goff. It's no coincidence that he has turned up his level of play recently as it has been a big benefit playing with a more involved Gurley.
The recent performances that Goff has provided the Rams have been impressive. In Week 13, he threw for 424 yards and two touchdowns against the Cardinals. He followed that up against the Seahawks with 293 yards and two touchdowns, but it's worth noting, he did have two interceptions.
As for the Cowboys, they are coming off a display that featured allowing Mitchell Trubisky to throw for three touchdowns. There is no reason Goff can't sling the ball all over the field against Dallas. Look for Goff to lead the Rams to their third win in a row.
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