By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s strength-on-strength battle may determine whether Los Angeles holds onto its division lead—or watches momentum swing the other way.
As the Los Angeles Rams settle in at home for a pivotal Week 15 showdown, they know what’s at stake. A divisional lead is theirs for now, but with the desperate Detroit Lions coming to town, nothing about Sunday feels secure. While star power dots both rosters, one matchup in particular threatens to tilt the entire game plan—and it’s one the Rams can’t afford to lose.
Penei Sewell vs. the Rams’ Pass Rush
If there’s one constant Detroit can lean on amid injuries up front, it’s Penei Sewell. The All-Pro right tackle has quietly separated himself from the pack, anchoring an offensive line that has otherwise been patched together week by week. According to Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker, Sewell’s dominance isn’t just noticeable—it’s historic.
“Sewell is starting to form his own tier at the offensive line position. In 2025, he’s yet again the highest-graded lineman in football at a ridiculous 96.0 mark, and his 0.71 PFF Wins Above Replacement are the third-most among any non-quarterback.”
That creates a serious dilemma for the Rams. With Bryon Young battling through injury and Josaiah Stewart emerging as a key disruptor, Los Angeles must decide how to allocate pressure. Overcommitting to Sewell could free up lanes elsewhere. Ignoring him, however, risks allowing Jared Goff to operate comfortably against a defense that thrives on timing and disruption.
Davante Adams vs. a Banged-Up Secondary
On the other side of the ball, the Rams believe they can strike back—if their top receiver wins his battles. Davante Adams is expected to suit up despite a lingering hamstring issue, and his matchup against DJ Reed looms large given Detroit’s mounting injuries in the secondary.
Detroit leans heavily on man coverage, and that identity isn’t expected to change, even with key defenders sidelined.
“Detroit deploys man coverage at the league’s second-highest rate, which feels unlikely to change even with Brian Branch being out for the season. Considering that Adams leads all Rams wideouts in perimeter snaps, expect him to battle with Reed regularly on Sunday afternoon.”
For Adams, efficiency will matter more than volume. If his reps are limited, every target from Matthew Stafford must count. Winning early could force Detroit to adjust coverage schemes—something the Lions may not be equipped to do given their current personnel.
Why This Battle Shapes the Game
This isn’t just about star players lining up across from one another. It’s about leverage. If Sewell neutralizes the Rams’ edge rushers, Detroit controls tempo and keeps Stafford watching from the sideline. If Adams consistently beats coverage, the Rams can stretch the field and exploit a depleted Lions defense.
Week 15 figures to be decided not by flashy moments, but by sustained excellence in these head-to-head clashes. And if either matchup swings decisively, it could spell the difference between a Rams statement win—or a Lions upset that reshapes the NFC playoff picture.