PFF grades: Matthew Stafford had a bottom 10 QB performance in Week 1

Yes, the offensive line graded as poorly as it looked

The first Pro Football Focus (PFF) game grades of the season are in for the Los Angeles Rams. LA fell to the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football at Ford Field after a similar result in last year’s wildcard round.

We know that injuries had the offensive line in shambles for the Rams, and the offense overall was stop-and-go as a result. The defense was energetic and aggressive early, but they faded down the stretch and allowed Detroit to lean into the running game and close out overtime with a 70-yard game-winning drive.

Who were the top performers on each side of the ball in this game? There were also a few interesting notes that I noticed in the grades and advanced metrics that were worth including.

Top five grades on offense:

1 – Jordan Whittington, WR: 72.9

Whittington played only two snaps, including an end around for a touchdown that was reversed by an AJ Arcuri holding penalty. PFF does include plays negated by penalty in their grading.

Whittington could figure into a more significant role if Puka Nacua is out for an extended period.

1 – Ronnie Rivers, RB: 72.9

Rivers was on the field for seven snaps, earning LA’s best rushing grade at 71.4. He created 2.50 yards after contact while Kyren Williams managed 2.33.

3 – Cooper Kupp, WR: 71.2

Stafford looked in Kupp’s direction 21 times while handing the receiver another two carries. That’s probably too many touches for the veteran at this stage in his career, but you have to marvel at his 14 catches, 120 total yards, and a touchdown. Kupp created 42 yards after the catch. His average depth of target (ADOT) at 7.4 is on the low side, but is probably attributable to the offensive line struggles.

4 – Tyler Johnson, WR: 69.7

Johnson caught five passes for 79 yards, including his breakaway 63-yard sprint. He finished with 64 yards after contact and posted a pass blocking grade of 69.5—which is important considering how the Rams sometimes ask receivers to contribute to this facet and hold up against defensive ends.

5 – Demarcus Robinson, WR: 68.4

LA’s third receiver finished with four catches for 42 yards. His best play came when Stafford extended out of the pocket with his legs and found Robinson out of structure. The two have a knack for such plays, and this is a continuation from late last season.

Other notes on offense:

Prior to the New York Jets taking on the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, Matthew Stafford finished the opening weekend as the 22nd rated passer. That means he turned in a bottom 10 performance against his former team with a grade of just 51.8. The most concerning stat was that Stafford committed three turnover-worthy plays while not earning a single big-time throw.

This game wasn’t exactly filled with top quarterbacking as Jared Goff managed a poor grade of 43.2. He had zero big-time throws and two turnover-worthy plays.

And yes, the offensive line fared just as poorly as you’d expect. AJ Acuri, elevated from the practice squad and filling in for Alaric Jackson’s backup in Joe Noteboom, somehow had a pass blocking grade of 1.9 and an overall offensive grade of 25.9. Warren McClendon wasn’t much better at right tackle and had a pass blocking grade of 33.8.

Joe Noteboom played 27 snaps at left tackle before suffering an ankle injury. His pass blocking grade was 7.2. Beaux Limmer, Steve Avila, Kevin Dotson, and Jonah Jackson were all in the 58.9 to 62.7 range for offensive grades.

Stafford was pressured on 18 of his 51 dropbacks (35%), and it’s nearly impossible to play quarterback or function as an offense at that rate. Only Deshaun Watson, Bo Nix, and Daniel Jones were under duress more times this weekend.

Top five grades on defense:

1 – John Johnson, DB: 91.5

Johnson led LA with an elite coverage grade of 90.2. He was targeted five times in coverage and allowed four receptions and 30 yards with a passer rating of just 52.1. His most impressive play came in coverage on Amon-Ra St. Brown where he collided with the receiver to take the ball away and give the Rams much-needed momentum around the midpoint of the fourth quarter.

Johnson played 38 of 61 snaps, and it will be worth monitoring how he figures into the rotation moving forward. Kamren Curl played all 61 snaps. Rookie Kamren Kinchens played five. Quentin Lake also played every snap with 23 at safety and the rest in the slot.

2 – Cobie Durant, CB: 82.7

It was positive seeing Durant have a strong game after struggling in his second season following a transition from the outside to slot corner. He played every snap in this game on the outside allowing two catches on three targets for 14 yards, a pass break-up (dropped INT), and a passer rating of 77.1.

3 – Jared Verse, OLB: 75.5

LA’s first round pick led the team with six total pressures. The Rams had 15 in this game and the next closest was Kobie Turner with three. Verse made his hay in the run game with a rush defense grade of 73.5. You felt his presence in this facet early, though the run defense did fade down the stretch into overtime.

4 – Kamren Curl, DB: 74.5

Curl had a 74.8 coverage grade. He allowed catches on both of his targets for just four yards. Curl did have two missed tackles on seven attempts (28.6%), which is something to keep an eye on with him moving forward.

5 – Neville Gallimore, DT: 71.9

Gallimore played just four snaps but it’s worth monitoring his involvement as he was signed just a week ago as teams cut down to their 53-man rosters.

Other notes on defense:

The Rams traded Ernest Jones to the Tennessee Titans in the week leading up to the season opener. His replacements, Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reeder, did not fare well in their first outing as starters. Rozeboom finished with a defensive grade of 47.5 and a run defense grade of 31.3 (important given the overtime outcome). Reeder was the second-lowest graded defender behind rookie Tyler Davis with a defensive grade of 44.2.

Rookie DT Braden Fiske, who the Rams traded next year’s second round pick for the opportunity to select him, graded poorly at 54.9. He had one pressure and a pass rushing grade of 48.8.