Extended time away from Los Angeles starts with a visit to Baltimore for the Rams as they take on the Ravens this Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium (10 a.m. PT, FOX).
Ahead of the contest, here are 3 Keys to Winning for the Rams, presented by The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani (CallJacob.com).
1) Limit the impact of the Ravens' game-breakers on offense and defense
More specifically, running back Derrick Henry, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and safety Kyle Hamilton. While Henry has been healthy, Humphrey and Hamilton carry no designations after missing last week's game against the Texans due to injury.
A Henry touchdown run, or a turnover created by Humphrey or Hamilton, can be momentum-changing plays for Baltimore. That places added importance on Los Angeles' run defense picking up where it left off of strong performances against Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor and Saquon Barkley in recent weeks, as well as Los Angeles' passing offense playing disciplined against Baltimore's secondary.
2) Play a clean game on special teams
That applies across all phases of that unit against a team that has traditionally been sound in that area, but especially a kicking operation that has had its share of challenges over the last three weeks.
3) Establish and maintain the run
Of course, the Rams' offense has operated at a high clip when the ball has been in quarterback Matthew Stafford's hands, but the Ravens' run defense has felt the impact of the team's injuries the most, allowing the fourth-most rushing yards per game in the NFL entering Week 6. Taking advantage of those opportunities and maximizing those carries will be crucial.
