National Football League
Rams confident of success against Giants, Beckham in London
National Football League

Rams confident of success against Giants, Beckham in London

Published Oct. 21, 2016 3:18 p.m. ET

BAGSHOT, England (AP) The Los Angeles Rams have allowed more than 400 total yards twice this season and won both games.

That's why they're not concerned by any potential challenged posed at Twickenham Stadium in southwest London on Sunday by New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

''He does some great things for their offense, and we definitely have our work cut out for us with him, but we're ready for that challenge,'' strong safety T.J. McDonald said. ''We're going to go out there and execute the plan.''

Beckham is expected to play despite missing time at practice this week with a hip injury. He's listed as probable on the injury report.

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That injury, sustained in the first half of the Giants' 27-23 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, didn't seem to hamper him. He finished with 222 yards on eight catches, including a 75-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter and the deciding 66-yard touchdown reception with 1:24 remaining.

Beckham was back in the spotlight for his performance and the antics of his elaborate touchdown celebrations.

The Rams know Beckham well, having engaged in a spat with the wide receiver in the last meeting in December 2014. Players insisted all week that the incident is irrelevant, and defensive backs downplayed any desire to get an edge by baiting Beckham.

''Obviously, I've seen the (antics) and everything, but that's not really my game,'' Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines said. ''I like to keep my own head out there and worry about what I need to do to make some plays for this defense.''

Los Angeles coach Jeff Fisher praised Beckham, saying he has ''a chance to go down as one of the all-time best.''

After surpassing 100 receiving yards in a game eight times last year, he's done that once this season - against the Washington Redskins in Week 3 - and didn't score a touchdown until the Giants' loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 5.

The Rams (3-3), who entered the week with the 16th-ranked pass defense at 246.2 yards per game, have allowed three players to gain more than 100 receiving yards this season. Only the Detroit Lions' Golden Tate, who had 165 yards and a touchdown last Sunday, emerged with a victory.

Los Angeles again will be without cornerback Trumaine Johnson, who has been declared out because of a high ankle sprain that also kept him from facing Detroit. Gaines and Troy Hill, who last week became the fourth starting tandem the Rams used this season, figure to continue in those roles.

One of those former starters, Coty Sensabaugh, was released on Oct. 8 and later picked up by the Giants.

''They've all grown because we have a next-man-up philosophy,'' defensive coordinator Gregg Willams said. ''We have to be able to step up and do your job in this league.''

The Giants (3-3) signed kicker Robbie Gould after Josh Brown was not allowed to travel with the team to London on Thursday. The NFL is reopening its investigation into a 2015 domestic abuse complaint made by Brown's former wife after police released journal entries and emails in which the place-kicker admitted repeatedly verbally and physically abusing her.

This week should be the return of defensive end Robert Quinn, who missed the last two games with what he said was a ''freak'' shoulder injury. He's considered questionable.

Quinn, who has averaged nearly a sack a game over the past four seasons but has just two in four games, could help the defense put more pressure on Giants quarterback Eli Manning. If Manning has less time to throw, he has less time to get the ball to Beckham and other wide receivers, which could lighten the burden on the Rams' secondary.

''I think guys are just ready to get our blood back going ... because we're definitely a little disappointed about our last couple performances,'' Quinn said. ''I think guys are just a little antsy and, like I said, ready to prove that we're a lot better than we showed these last two weeks.''

NOTES: DT Michael Brockers (thigh) has also been ruled out, while LG Jamon Brown (hand) and WR Nelson Spruce (calf) are considered doubtful. ... Cornerback Dwayne Gratz is expected to play in his fifth game in London and second this season. Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012, he was cut and claimed off waivers by the Rams on Oct. 11. ''I haven't been the tour guide,'' he said. ''I should be. I've got a lot of experience here.''

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