Basics
Kickoff: Monday, 8:15 p.m., Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
TV: ESPN (national), WBAL Channel 11 (Baltimore), ESPN crew (Joe Tessitore, Booger McFarland, Lisa Salters)
Radio: WBAL (1090AM/101.5FM) & 98Rock (97.9FM), Ravens crew (Gerry Sandusky, Jarret Johnson)
Jersey color: Color rush
Stakes
The Ravens will be trying to win their seventh straight game, something they haven't done since 2000 during their first Super Bowl-winning season. Leading the AFC North, the Ravens (8-2) are competing with the Patriots (9-1) and Chiefs (7-4) for a first-round bye. The Rams (6-4) went to the Super Bowl last season, but they are third in the NFC West and need a strong finish to return to the playoffs.
History
Baltimore leads the all-time series, 4-2, and has won the last three matchups. They last met in 2015 when the Ravens won, 16-13, at M&T Bank Stadium. Justin Tucker kicked three field goals for the Ravens, while Rams running back Todd Gurley had 66 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries.
Storylines to Watch
Can the Rams slow down Baltimore's offense?
Baltimore has the NFL's highest-scoring offense and the No. 1 rushing attack. MVP candidate Lamar Jackson has emerged as the league's top dual threat. He's been sensational during the Ravens' current six-game winning streak, throwing nine touchdown passes with a 105.3 passer rating while rushing for 550 yards and five touchdowns. The Ravens have scored at least 30 points in four straight games and will be tough to beat if they do it again. The Rams defense is stout, however, and ranks 10th overall. They've given up 10 or fewer points three of the past four weeks.
Will Marcus Peters get the best of his former teammates?
The Ravens' playmaking cornerback will return L.A. to face the team that traded him last month. Peters obviously knows the Rams very well, just as they know him. With two pick-sixes since joining the Ravens, Peters has brought an electric element to Baltimore’s defense that has been the NFL's best since he arrived. Peters hasn't tasted defeat in four games with the Ravens and doesn't want to start now.
Can Rams quarterback Jared Goff stand up to Baltimore's defense?
The Ravens have taken down three top quarterbacks during their winning streak – Russell Wilson, Tom Brady and Deshaun Watson. Only five quarterbacks have thrown for more yards than Goff (2,783), who helped lead the Rams to the Super Bowl last season. When he gets in a rhythm, Goff can throw with the best, but he has also thrown 10 interceptions and fumbled nine times. Fresh off perhaps their best game of the season, the Ravens' pass rushers and secondary will hunt for turnovers.
Key Matchups
Ravens offensive line vs. Rams DT Aaron Donald
Baltimore's offensive line has been outstanding all season, a major key to the team's success. But Donald is the league's best defensive tackle and brings a devastating combination of power, speed and versatility. He can line up anywhere along the defensive line, meaning all five Ravens offensive linemen must be on point. Meanwhile, the Rams have two other outstanding defensive linemen in Michael Brockers and Dante Fowler Jr. The Ravens can't allow Donald and his running mates to dominate the line of scrimmage.
Ravens defensive line vs. Rams running back Todd Gurley
Coming off his best game of the season (14 carries, 97 yards), Gurley is a catalyst in the Rams' offense. The Rams love to set up their passing game with their running attack, so stopping Gurley will be a Ravens priority. Baltimore signed two defensive tackles last week, Domata Peko and Justin Ellis, to help Pro Bowl defensive tackle Brandon Williams bolster the run defense. Their addition comes at a crucial time, with Michael Pierce dealing with an ankle injury that forced him to miss last week's game.
Rams safety Eric Weddle vs. Ravens offense
Weddle, who played three seasons with the Ravens, knows plenty about Baltimore's players and defensive schemes. Just like he was in Baltimore, Weddle is the quarterback of the defense. He'll try to guess what the Ravens will do prior to the snap and he often guesses right, putting his teammates in better position to stop plays. Weddle helped the Ravens win many games, but he'll be trying to ruin their Monday night.
