PFF grades: Rams missed 21 tackles as Kyler Murray went gangbusters

LA’s offensive line struggled, but the weak links weren’t who you’d expect

It was all ugly on Sunday afternoon for the Los Angeles Rams. They lost to their NFC West division rival Arizona Cardinals by 31 points. The defense looked outmatched from the onset and missed 21 tackles on a day where Kyler Murray looked unstoppable—he’s now the highest graded quarterback in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).

Who’s to blame for this weekend’s collapse in the desert? Let’s take a look at the individual PFF grades and a few of my takeaways in the advanced metrics.

Top five grades on offense:

1 – Tutu Atwell, WR: 75.7

In the season opener against the Detroit Lions, Tutu Atwell was noticeably absent on offense and on special teams. On only 10 offensive snaps in this game, Atwell was a difference maker and caught three of four targets for 48 yards including a long of 21. The fourth-year receiver did have a bad drop on a play where he was fairly open.

We know that Atwell is a talented and useful playmaker, but Sean McVay and the Rams have struggled to make use of him often. The offensive line’s struggles in pass protection also contribute to Atwell’s lack of usage as it becomes more difficult to push the ball down the field.

2 – Demarcus Robinson, WR: 67.9

Robinson was the second-highest graded player on LA’s offense but his grade is generally considered slightly above average—that speaks to how poor of an outing this was from this group.

Robinson hauled in two of four targets for 50 yards. His longest reception was on a 42-yard reception along the sideline and in traffic.

3 – Cooper Kupp, WR: 67.5

One of the most encouraging offensive plays on the day was Kupp’s 24-yard catch and run, but unfortunately the veteran receiver suffered an ankle injury at the end of the play. He was seen leaving the game in a walking boot and his status moving forward is uncertain.

Kupp caught four of six targets for 37 yards. His average depth of target (ADOT) was just 6.7 yards which is either a symptom of poor pass protection or he’s not able to stretch the field as vertically as he once was. Still, the targets to Kupp over the first two weeks of the season haven’t been LA’s most efficient plays.

4 – Blake Corum, RB: 65.8

There wasn’t much room on the ground. Kyren Williams averaged just 2.1 yards on 12 carries while Blake Corum was slightly better at 3.5 yards on eight rushes. More importantly, Corum created 2.25 yards after contact and rushed for two first downs while Williams averaged 2.17 yards after contact and also converted two first downs despite having 50% more opportunities.

It’s worth noting that Corum was not on the field for a single passing play, which may indicate that the Rams are still hesitant about his readiness in pass protection.

5 – Rob Havenstein, RT: 65.7

Havenstein allowed two pressures including a sack. He was LA’s second-highest graded lineman on Sunday in terms of pass protection behind Jonah Jackson, who allowed a QB hit. On the other hand, Jackson was the lowest-graded run blocker on the line at a mark of 41.4. Havenstein had a run blocking grade of 57.1. Only Warren McClendon was better at 64.6.

The veteran RT was a positive presence after missing the season opener with an ankle injury.

Other notes on offense:

Matthew Stafford is one of just six starting quarterbacks that have yet to record a big-time throw alongside Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Jayden Daniels, Jacoby Brissett, and Kirk Cousins (before Monday Night Football). Inversely, Stafford ranks the third in turnover-worthy plays with four. Anthony Richardson and Williams are the only QB’s with five. Stafford had three TWP’s in Detroit and had another this week in Arizona.

More concerning is the fact that knowing his offensive line was fighting an uphill battle, he held the ball for 2.94 seconds on average. This would be a top 10 figure if we look at all the quarterbacks through the first two weeks of the season.

In pass protection, McClendon allowed four pressures (three sacks) which were the most on the OL. Rookie Beaux Limmer allowed three pressures (all hurries) en route to a pass blocking grade of 35.9—the lowest for the OL on the day. PFF credited Stafford with one of the five sacks.

While things seem bad in pass protection, this was actually a big step up from the group’s effort last week versus the Lions.

Top five grades on defense:

1 – Jared Verse, OLB: 75.5

Verse has been impressive to start his career. After leading the team in total pressures last week, he finished second in this game with three to Kobie Turner’s five. Braden Fiske also had three pressures. More to come on this, but Verse was given a tackling grade of just 34.8 and was credited with a team-leading four missed tackles.

Verse had four stops on the ground and was the highest graded run defender at 80.9.

2 – Desjuan Johnson, DT: 74.6

Johnson was given a run defense grade of 69.2 which ranked third behind Verse and Neville Gallimore. Johnson was on the field for 21 snaps, of which 18 came against the run. It’s clear the second-year defender has a role to slow down the opposition’s ground game but might not be of utility in the passing game.

3 – Neville Gallimore, DE: 72.7

Gallimore was one of the highest graded defenders in limited action last week and he makes the top five again in this game. He also primarily played a role in run defense, as 12 of his 16 snaps came against the run. PFF pegged his rush defense grade at 71.7.

4 – John Johnson, DB: 68.0

Coming off an elite grade from PFF last week, Johnson again finds himself in the top five versus the Cardinals. He finished with a tackling grade of 78.0 and was one of only a few individuals on the defense that didn’t miss a tackle.

5 – Troy Reeder, MLB: 65.8

While Christian Rozeboom was the second-worst defender on Sunday with a grade of 40.4, Reeder made the top five at 65.8. He fared the best in coverage with a mark of 71.1 and allowed 11 yards on two targets.

Other notes on defense:

In total Los Angeles missed 21 tackles in Arizona:

Verse – 4

Rozeboom – 4

Fiske – 3

Michael Hoecht – 2

Turner – 2

Quentin Lake – 2

Kamren Curl – 2

Desjuan Johnson – 1

Reeder – 1

It was a rough week in coverage for a few individuals in the secondary.

Tre White, after a rough day last week versus Jameson Williams, allowed another long touchdown to Marvin Harrison, Jr. In total he allowed three catches on four targets for 56 yards and two touchdowns.

Kamren Curl also allowed receptions on all three of his targets for 91 yards and a score.

Rookie Kamren Kinchens was on the field for just nine snaps and allowed catches on both of his targets for 40 yards.