Keys to the Game Answered: Kansas City

1.  On the Receiving End

THE SITUATION: No position battle has been watched and scrutinized more closely in this camp than the one taking place at wide receiver.

That competition should amp up another notch this week when coach Steve Spagnuolo has indicated that the Rams will likely work some different wideouts in with the first group in addition to the usual starters Danny Amendola, Brandon Gibson and Mike Sims-Walker.

In other words, it could be an opportunity for guys like Donnie Avery, Austin Pettis, Greg Salas and Danario Alexander to work with quarterback Sam Bradford and make a statement about where they belong in the wideout pecking order.

Surely, the wide receiver competition will carry into the final week of the preseason next week in Jacksonville but this might be the most prime chance for someone to make a difference and show they belong.

THE ANSWER: Nobody emerged above anyone else, really as the Rams focused on the running game and spread the ball around when they threw it. Sims-Walker caught a touchdown and tight end Lance Kendricks had a solid night also.

2. Outside ‘Backers

THE SITUATION: The outside linebacker spot is to the defense what the receiver position is to the offense. There is a lot of competition and players are jockeying for position be it through the defense, on special teams or a combination of the two.

For the first two preseason contests, the Rams went with Bryan Kehl at the weak side spot and incumbent Na’il Diggs on the strong side while they worked recent free-agent signees Ben Leber and Brady Poppinga into the mix.

This week, Leber and Poppinga will make their first start flanking middle linebacker James Laurinaitis.

The veterans have practice with the first team all week and will now get their chance to make a statement against the Chiefs.

THE ANSWER: Leber and Poppinga were solid and the Rams were noticeably better against the run as both were active in helping to slow Kansas City.

3. Stepping Up at Safety

THE SITUATION: One other tweak to the first-team defense has emerged in the past week as Darian Stewart began taking repetitions with the top unit in place of Craig Dahl on Tuesday.

Stewart practiced with the first team on Tuesday and Wednesday and appears poised to get his shot to line up in the secondary next to Quintin Mikell.

The Rams have used Stewart plenty in the preseason, especially in nickel situations where he works as the WIL linebacker more often than not.

But this week, they want to give him a chance to show what he can do in the base defense.

Stewart is guaranteed nothing but like the rest of his teammates at this time of year, he’s getting a shot to better his position on the depth chart.

THE ANSWER: Stewart did get the start and was solid as the Rams defense posted a strong performance. Stewart played into the second half.

4. Running With Purpose

THE SITUATION: The Rams opened the preseason with a terrific performance in the rushing attack, pounding away at the Colts with 169 yards on 41 carries with two rushing touchdowns.

Last week, with running back Steven Jackson making his debut, the Rams were unable to get on track on the ground, rushing 21 times for just 44 yards. Jackson was slowed down to 10 yards on six carries.

Of course, the Rams didn’t have their starting offensive line intact and faced a more physical Titans defense.

This week, Jackson will get his first chance to run behind the projected starting line. While the entire offense is hoping to get a rhythm, it could start up front with the running game.

The Chiefs play a stout 3-4 defense and should provide a good challenge for Jackson and Co.

THE ANSWER: The Rams got exactly what they wanted as Jackson pounded away early and often. In the first half alone, the Rams rushed 25 times for 123 yards. Jackson ha72 of those yards on 15 tries.

5. Consistency is King

THE SITUATION: The Rams opened last week’s game with a big strike as quarterback Sam Bradford hit Brandon Gibson for an 83-yard touchdown on the game’s opening play.

After that, there were big plays here and there for the first-team offense but it was unable to string any together.

This week, the Rams will look to find the type of play in, play out consistency that is needed to put together drives and put up points.

Keep an eye on drive times and first down numbers. Even if the Rams don’t post a ton of points, they’ll want to at least keep drives moving and prove that they’re grasping offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offense well enough to move the ball consistently.

THE ANSWER: The Rams would have preferred to continue putting up points in the second quarter but they got a strong enough first quarter performance combined with a late second quarter surge to feel good about where the offense is heading toward the regular season.