The Los Angeles Rams averaged +0.40 expected points added per play, the fourth-best performance by any offense in any game in 2025. It was the Rams best offensive performance in 2025. It was the 13th-best rushing performance by any team in 2025. It was only the seventh time all season that an offense scored at least six touchdowns in a game.
And the plays were called by Mike LaFleur, not Sean McVay.
As pointed out by JB Scott on Wednesday morning, McVay made it clear to JB Long this week that he handed play calling duties over to his offensive coordinator because of an illness. McVay hinted that LaFleur could call plays in the future and that he’s ready to be a head coach/play caller in the NFL.
Per Next Gen Stats, here’s just how good the Rams were in LaFleur’s game:
- 530 total yards is the most by the Rams in 2025
- 7.9 yards per play is the most by the Rams in 2025
- +0.40 EPA per play is the highest, just a week after they were at +0.6 vs the Panthers
- +0.43 EPA per pass is the 2nd-highest behind the 49ers game a month ago
- +0.36 EPA per run is the 2nd-highest behind the Panthers game in Week 13
- Matthew Stafford was only pressured 5 times on 31 dropbacks
- 36 runs called are the 2nd-most behind 43 runs against the Saints
- 53.6% of the plays called were runs, 2nd-most behind the Saints game
- 5.4 yards after contact per rushing attempt is the 2nd-highest behind the Titans game
- 66.7% success rate on runs is the highest of the season
- 6 runs of 10+ yards ties Eagles game as most in a Rams game this season
As you can see, the Rams were as successful as they were balanced.
The Rams also had a season-high rate of 64% 13 personnel and a career-best game from backup running back Blake Corum. There was also a career-high number of snaps for Terrance Ferguson.
Things were a little different on Sunday. Although we can’t say with any certainty that they weren’t bound to be different whether McVay or LaFleur were calling plays. We can only say what really happened and McVay insists that LaFleur took over the reins while McVay was under the weather.
Would the Rams be an even better team if McVay took on a more general overseer role and let LaFleur call plays?
It does seem like that at least the Rams have proven that it could happen and that they wouldn’t fall apart if it did. Now, the Arizona Cardinals also stink. They’re bad. Let’s not get it twisted: The Cardinals are bad.
The Rams have upcoming games against the Lions and Seahawks. They’re not bad. McVay could feel that it’s extra personal when the Rams face the Lions and Seahawks and balk at any notion of giving up play calling duties in those games. Especially against Seattle where he has a “defensive coordinator” to slay again in Mike Macdonald. And then he’s got his old buddy Raheem Morris in Week 17.
Coincidentally enough, we could next see LaFleur calling plays in Week 18 — against the Cardinals — if the Rams have already clinched their seed in the playoffs by then. And then McVay would take them over again in the playoffs.
But if LaFleur doesn’t get a head coaching opportunity in 2026, he might get one as a play caller for McVay.
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