It's certainly safe to say the Kansas City Chiefs are going up against the bare-bones version of the Los Angeles Rams we have come to know over the last few years.

As of Week 12, the Rams are nowhere near the team that won Super Bowl LVI. In fact, one could argue they are one of the NFL's worst teams, instead.

Regardless, this is the NFL. Any team can get the best of another on any given Sunday and it's something that's been proven on a year-in, year-out basis.

An upset of the Chiefs will be really hard to pull off, especially with Bryce Perkins starting at quarterback instead of Matthew Stafford.

Perkins will have his hands full with an ever-rotating and always-fluid Steve Spagnuolo defense on Sunday. Asking Perkins to make big plays while avoiding big mistakes is a lot to ask of a guy who is making the first NFL start of his career. But, such is life in this league.

The one thing Perkins has working in his favor is his coaching staff – Sean McVay and co. are still some of the league's best at scheming up offensive game plans for opposing teams.

Therefore, it's not unreasonable to think that Perkins can be a factor in this game if he listens to his coaches and executes the game plan.

As a matter of fact, that's the exact advice Mahomes gave to Perkins earlier in the week.

"I think the biggest thing is you got to rely on your coaches and the guys around you," Mahomes told reporters. "That’s the biggest thing that I remember is. Obviously, you’re going to a new environment – he’s playing at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, I think I was playing at Mile High my first start. You’re going to a new environment, it’s going to be a challenge for you, but how can you rely on what your coaches have taught you, your fundamentals and your teammates around you to bring the best out of you?”

An effective Perkins allows the other Rams to focus on their individual efforts instead of trying to make up for his shortcomings. And that's a scary thought because the Rams still have enough talent on both sides of the ball to force the upset. Even with their overall shortcomings.

But, at the end of the day, the Chiefs still have Mahomes, who -with all due respect- is lightyears better than Perkins.

And as long as the Chiefs have that advantage, they should be just fine.

Featured image via Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

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