Behind Enemy Lines: 5 Questions with Ram Digest Reporter Harrison Reno

The New York Giants host the Los Angeles Rams in their pentultimate game of the 2023 season. The Rams, 5-1 over their last six games, are trying to secure a postseason berth with a win, while the Giants, whose already slim playoff hopes were officially eliminated on Christmas Day in a loss against the Eagles, are playing for pride.

What are the Giants in for this weekend? We check in with Ram Digest reporter Harrison Reno for some answers.

The Rams are 5-1 since their bye. What has been the key factor in that turnaround?

I think the biggest factor in the Los Angeles Rams’ turnaround since the bye week has been the play of quarterback Matthew Stafford. For one, the 35-year-old signal-caller has been healthy since suffering the UCL sprain in his right thumb that caused him to miss time. Stafford has been playing his best football since returning, as evidenced by his 1,578 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just two interceptions over his last six games.

Puka Nacua has taken the league by storm. Can you discuss how his skillset has complemented the Rams' offense?

The outbreak of the rookie fifth-round pick has been the fact that he’s given Stafford and the Rams offense a second option when it comes to the passing game. No longer will defenses be able to focus on just Cooper Kupp fully; they’ll also have to respect Nacua in coverage.

Aaron Donald posted 5 sacks in an abbreviated 2022 season and has just six sacks so far. Is he slowing down, or are teams playing him differently?

Injuries played a large part in a down year statistically for Donald a season ago. However, as for this season, I think it might be fair to say that he may be starting to slow down a bit when it comes to total sacks.

The Rams still do a good job of moving him around and creating one-on-one matchups, but the opposing offenses has also done a good job limiting his sack production. Yet, it is hard not to mention the fact that thanks to general manager Les Snead’s roster “remodeling” plan that he started this past offseason, the Rams don’t have a proven pass-rusher outside of Donald.

Matthew Stafford has been on fire since the bye. What do you attribute that to?

The biggest thing for Stafford has been his health. After an injury riddled-year, a season ago, Stafford has had just one injury that has seen him miss time. However, since returning from the thumb injury, he has been playing some of his best football as Ram.

Putting health aside, it seems like the emergence of a consistent running game and, specifically, the breakout of Kyren Williams has helped the unit as a whole, including Stafford. Even on their Super Bowl-winning team, the one thing the Rams lacked was a consistent running game. That is a big change with this unit, as they are arguably McVay’s most balanced offense.

The Rams have a league-high 11 field goals missed. How much of a concern is that, given what’s on the line for the team?

It is certainly a concern for the Rams as they’ve already made a move at kicker this season, waiving the veteran Brett Maher before signing Lucas Havrisik off the Cleveland Browns practice squad. Yet, since arriving, the 24-year-old has been an improvement over Maher, as he’s only missed five field goals in eight games, with all of those coming from 40 yards or more.

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