The Los Angeles Rams are up for quite an easy fixture as they face the Cincinnati Bengals. However, Jared Goff will be the first to tell fans that underestimating an underdog will get them burned.
The Rams, one of the considered favorites to win the Super Bowl, was handed painful defeats earlier in the season. Two of those three losses were against sides considered lesser than them in stature. Goff and the Rams offense will know better than to underestimate them.
If the 25-year-old play-caller will be focused on the task ahead, he should have no problem making quick work of the Bengals' defense. Here are some expectations Rams fans can set on Goff if they want the team to get on the right trajectory back to the Super Bowl.
Goff will complete 500+ passing yards
The Bengals have a decent pass defense. They are in the middle of the pack when it comes to allowed passing yards per game. They should be able to give the Rams' QB1 and the rest of the offense a run for their money.
However, Goff should be able to play just fine and finish with superb passing stats. Given the team's determination to return to the Super Bowl, it wouldn't be weird for Goff to flex his throwing arm and fire long-range bombs to help the team dominate over the Bengals. Moreover, he's added an additional weapon to his arsenal as he's begun throwing terrifying passes outside of the pocket. He showcased just that during the team's Week 7 triumph over the Atlanta Falcons.
If everything goes well, there's no reason to expect a repeat of his numbers in the Tampa Bay game. He completed 517 passing yards and two touchdowns during their disappointing collapse to the Bucs.
Goff will notch 30 rushing yards
Given Goff's current tendency to run outside the box, it's natural to expect Goff will be trying to run the football multiple times. And if that happens, we can expect the Cal product to get at least 30 rushing yards for the first time this season.
He's never been the most agile quarterback, so it's understandable that he doesn't run it to the ground himself that often. However, his effectiveness as an out-of-pocket passer should make the Bengals defense think twice about leaving passing lanes open all the time.
Of course, running this game plan will make the QB vulnerable to fumbling the football. That's a legitimate concern has he's fumbled it six times this season. However, adding dynamism to his game makes fumbles a risk Sean McVay is more than willing to take.
Goff will lead the Rams to a classic victory
The Rams haven't been the dominant team that most of the NFC was afraid of last season. However, that doesn't mean that they aren't a superb football team.
They're still one of the better offenses in the league, and they're still terrifying when it comes to red zone efficiency. They're overwhelming favorites to win this match.
And if Goff gets going, there's no doubt that this would end with a lopsided score.
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