Rams-Lions: Five Things to Watch

The injury-plagued and offensively impaired St. Louis Rams (4-8) will try to end an unsightly five-game losing streak at home Sunday against the suddenly hot Detroit Lions (noon; TV-Fox Channel 2; Radio-WXOS-FM 101.1).

Here are five things to watch:

1. How will an injury-ravaged Rams defense minus some of its top players deal with a Lions’ offense that has caught fire in recent weeks?

Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (70 catches, 965 yards, seven TDs) had six catches for 111 yards the last time these teams met in 2012. With Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins doubtful while going through the NFL’s concussion protocol, Johnson could have another big day. The Rams must contend with gun-slinging Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (3,164 yards, 22 TDs, 12 interceptions), receiver Golden Tate (67 catches, 615 yards, two TDs) and running back Theo Riddick (60 catches, 534 yards, three TDs). The Rams also are without star defensive end Robert Quinn (back) and safety T.J. McDonald (shoulder), both of whom have been placed on injured reserve and are out for the season. Tight ends typically finds holes in the Rams defense as well, so watch out for Eric Ebron (31 catches, 357 yards, four TDs). Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson returns after missing two games with a thigh injury, but the once-intimidating Rams defense is allowing 30.6 points per game during the five-game losing skid.

2. How will Rams quarterback Case Keenum fare in his second start this season - and with a new offensive coordinator in Rob Boras?

Boras replaced recently fired Rams offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti with the team mired at or near the bottom of the NFL in most major offensive categories. Keenum is an undrafted free agent who the Rams turned to earlier this season looking for a spark as the replacement for slumping starter Nick Foles. Keenum suffered a concussion against Baltimore and looks forward to another opportunity to prove himself. In 12 NFL starts, Keenum has thrown for 2,331 yards and 12 TDs but like Foles will contend with a struggling offensive line..

3. What can Boras do this late in the season to ignite the struggling Rams offense?

Put the ball in the hands of his top playmakers — running back Todd Gurley (835 yards six TDs) and receiver-running back Tavon Austin. It was no mystery for opposing team’s defensive coordinators in recent weeks looking to stop the one thing the Rams did well for a brief window this season, running the football. But after rolling up 566 yards in his first four NFL starts, Gurley has averaged only 42.7 yards the last four weeks and 3.1 yards per carry. Worse yet, he has only 18 carries combined in his last two games for 60 yards. Why weren’t the Rams using him more, and using him more on quick passes out of the backfield to help neutralize the pass rush? Why do more of the Rams’ pass plays seem to be horizontal in nature instead of vertical? Why isn’t Austin, a former eighth overall pick with blazing speed and playmaking skills, not more of a focal point of the attack?

4. Can the Rams create a consistent pass rush without Quinn?

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald remains one of the best in the NFL at the position, racking up eight sacks (tied for the NFL lead among defensive tackles) and 18 tackles for loss. With Quinn out, the Rams hope that Chris Long, Eugene Sims and Ethan Westbrooks can create some pressure on the edge while defensive coordinator Gregg Williams moves Donald around on the line looking for mismatches. Pass coverage could also be an issue with only four cornerbacks on the roster and Maurice Alexander taking over for the injured McDonald at safety.

5. Can the Rams find some way to salvage a win here?

It certainly won’t be easy, given the injuries and the offense’s inability to string together any consistency in recent weeks. The Lions would be bringing a four-game win streak into the game had it not been for a miraculous “Hail Mary” pass play by Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers to Richard Rodgers that resulted in a 27-23 Packers win. Both of these teams are struggling, but the Lions have a lot more firepower on offense and that could be enough.

This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 7:58 AM with the headline "Rams-Lions: Five Things to Watch."