There weren’t many positive takeaways for fans of the Los Angeles Rams from Sunday’s cross-Mojave tilt with the Las Vegas Raiders, except for the 20-15 win. In a battle of inept offenses, L.A. was able to turn three turnovers into touchdowns and defend their home turf.
Offensively, it was back to the compressed horizontal passing game, predictable run game, Stafford was inaccurate, and the crowded box created problems for the offensive line. Could a few rollouts or some hard play action loosened things up? We’ll never know.
It was another small step forward for the defense. They are no longer the worst defense in the NFL, crawling off the bottom towards the middle of the pack. Yeah, the missed tackles are still a problem, but Rams Defensive coordinator David Shula is throwing a lot of looks at opposing offenses. He’s taken the base 3-4 and 4-2 sets and turned them upside down with a myriad of different looks, angles, and player packages. L.A. has also clamped down on explosive plays, only giving up one 20+yard play to Las Vegas.
Here’s this week’s look at who played and more importantly, who played well. Players, their snap count, and percentage played in bold.
Quarterback
You can put as many asterisks beside his output as you want, but Matthew Stafford (55, 100%) has to play better. As a Ram, when he’s struggled it has usually been from him being hell-bent-for-leather on targeting a certain receiver and that appears to be the case the past few games. Although never a laser-accurate QB with his big gun and tendency to towards a three quarters/sidearm delivery, his overall accuracy is really off this year.
Running back
So much for managing the workload on Kyren Williams (49, 89%). Fair enough, it was off a bye, but a season-long snap share of 85.5% and 77% carry share is a big load for player with a history of injuries.
While he has ascended to RB#2, Blake Corum (6, 11%) has not gotten the reps (25 total) that the Rams coaching staff hinted he would get during training camp. On a short week, this would be a good chance to not only let Corum stretch his legs, but put Ronnie Rivers (17 ST) to work in passing situations as a pass blocker against the blitz-happy Vikings.
Wide receiver
For the Rams wide receivers, it was pretty quiet, only 144 yards total amongst the group. as the Rams went back to the compressed pass offense. Tutu Atwell (43, 78%) led with six catches, but everything was underneath. Tyler Johnson (50, 91%) turned a short pass into the day’s longest play (37 yards). Again Demarcus Robinson (50, 91%) had a huge share of the snaps without a like showing in production.
Battling a sore shoulder, Jordan Whittington (9, 16%) played sparingly, strangely enough late in the game and wasn’t targeted. Hopefully Xavier Smith (5, 9%) is gaining the trust of Rams coaches, guys who are fast and can run in the open field can open things up.
Tight end
Although not on the injury list, Colby Parkinson (35, 64%) saw a substantial decline in reps. The Rams started a pair of drives in two-tight end sets, but didn’t sustain the use, six total plays by my count. Funny thing, when they did run “12”, it was with Hunter Long (16, 29%) and Davis Allen (12, 22%), who both had their highest percentage of snaps.
Offensive line
Again, a Rams opponent used the blitz, particularly the delay to throw off the offense’s timing. The Rams schemed a short, timing pass offense to try and neutralize the Raiders aggressive ways. It worked to a point, Las Vegas only tallied one sack and two QB hits, but neither the L.A. pass or run game ever really got rolling.
Probably the biggest surprise of the game was Justin Dedich (55, 100%) starting at left guard for Logan Bruss (4 ST). Dedich doesn’t seem to be a body mover in the run game, but did play pretty well. It’s not clear what L.A. will do going forward. Was he in because Bruss was nicked up or a lack of production issue? Will Joseph Noteboom be inserted at LG? While I haven’t heard a recent report on Jonah Jackson, he’s now in his 5th week of rehab.
Alaric Jackson (55, 100%) stacked another good game and even with a tough draw against Maxx Crosby, Rob Havenstein (55, 100%) did the same. Beaux Limmer (55, 100%) was given a good Pro Football Focus score, but I didn’t notice a big upgrade in his play. That’s not a knock, he’s been consistently solid since being pushed into the fire. Up and down is the best way to describe Kevin Dotson (55, 100%). At times he plays too upright and gets easily knocked off his base. According to SIS DataHub, he’s on a path to have his worst season in blown blocks, percentage of blown blocks, and sacks allowed.
Special teams
Missing an extra point and makable field goal in a close game is a good way to get on the hot seat, Josh Karty (4 ST) did both. After re-watching the game, I do have to wonder if some of the problem is the holder, Ethan Evans (14 ST). He did not hold on placekicks in college and as rookie the Rams were inconsistent with a stable of kickers. While his prowess as holder may be questioned, he’s had a solid season kicking. His hang time is noticeably better, he’s getting 42+ net yards per, and over 50% of his punts have been downed inside the 20. On kickoffs he’s booted 32 of 33 through the end zone. For long snapper Alex Ward (10 ST), silence is golden.
Defensive line
While Kobie Turner (62, 78%) didn’t rack up any numbers to show for it, he regularly bullied his way into the Raiders back field. Braden Fiske (40, 51%) has been fighting a shoulder and now a back issue, the Rams have kept his workloadHe sitting out early practices this week, hopefully therapeutics will have him available Thursday.
Although Bobby Brown (33, 42%) and Neville Gallimore (35, 44%) were part of the deep rotation, neither provided much production. Tyler Davis (17, 22%) was entrusted with a few snaps after a couple of slow work weeks, but had a rough go. He was easily moved on the interior and did not record a tackle.
Edge
The Rams expanded the use of all three edges together, 20 plays by my count.. They lined up Michael Hoecht (47, 59%) all over. At times as a traditional edge, but on others like a pseudo-inside line backer or stand-up defensive lineman to go along with outside and off the ball like a “will” linebacker.
Although neither recorded a sack Byron Young (67, 85%) and Jared Verse (62, 78%) terrorized the Raiders offensive line. They combined for 10 tackles, one for loss, and seven quarterback hits. Interestingly, Brennan Jackson (9, 11%) got his first work of the year over Nick Hampton (17 ST), who was limited to special teams.
Off-ball linebacker
No changes for Troy Reeder (70, 89%), the Rams only sub him out on 3rd and long-type situations where they rush three and bring in eight secondary players. Although the percentage of snaps were down for Christian Rozeboom (40, 51%), his snaps played stayed on par with the last three games. He’s down to last year’s level, when L.A. often replaced him on passing downs with another secondary player. Again, Omar Speights (17 ST) was again only on special teams, but with Reeder sitting out of practice with back woes, he could get some short-week action on Thursday night. Elias Neal (11 ST) was waived after the game and if he clears waivers, could be signed to the practice squad.
Safety
With the Raiders nixing mid and deep level passes, Kam Curl (79, 100%) was able to do what he does best, menace the underneath areas. He had seven tackles, broke up two passes, and scurried for a touchdown on a fumble recovery. I’m not normally one to say a win or loss can be hung on any single play, but that beautiful one-on-one tackle of Brock Bowers by Quentin Lake (79, 100%) with 2:50 left in the game was close.
With three picks in two games, Jaylen McCollough (18, 23%) has taken a tight grip on S#3 and if nothing else, has shown strong ball skills. Kam Kinchens (2, 3%) got back in for a couple of plays after his demotion to special teams.
Cornerback
Whether it was by choice or gameplan, the Raiders pass game didn’t attack downfield. By my count, the Silver and Black did not complete a pass of 10 or more air yards and overall only completed 5 of 15 passes for 49 yards to their wide receivers. Las Vegas did reel off a couple of nice gains, but they were of the run-after-catch variety, checkdowns into wide open areas.
Although he left the game early due to severe cramps, Cobie Durant (44, 56%) stacked another fine game with an interception, two passes broken up, and a strip sack that Rams took all the way home. Gotta drink that pre-game pickle juice, young man.
For all the other cornerbacks, it was a quiet afternoon under a blanket. Now completely healed, Darious Williams (79, 100%) has settled in as the other lockdown corner. L.A, used a variety of secondary packages, often having all four corners on the field. For a second straight week, Josh Wallace (39, 49%) played half the game and did well. Veteran Ahkello Witherspoon (47, 59%) has now used up his allotment of practice squad elevations and a decision must be made if he is to play Thursday night.
Not active
WR Cooper Kupp could be ready for this Thursday night’s game with the Minnesota Vikings, QB Stetson Bennett could just as easily do his job (emergency QB) from the practice squad, CB Tre White has been a healthy scratch for two games in a row now, RB Cody Schrader likely won’t see any action without injuries, DT Jonah Williams was a non-active in his first game back in L.A., and DT Desjuan Johnson was inactive for the fourth time in six games. Kind of surprising with the Rams trying so many different things on the defensive front that Williams didn’t play.
Will the Rams be able to turn things around?
This Thursday will be the litmus test as to what the Rams are really made of. A win gets them sky-high and a couple of extra days rest before the all-important intra-divisional game with the Seattle Seahawks. While falling to 2-5 wouldn’t necessarily be the death knell, it would certainly draw back the clapper. Trade deadline rumors would intensify and the L.A. braintrust would have to take a hard look at who should be on the field, building towards next season.
It won’t be easy, Minnesota has well-rounded team. Offensively, the Vikings have an efficient run game and like to throw deep to one of the best playmakers in the business. They are very tough on defense, using a gambling, blitzing play-style. It’s been very effective in limiting both the passing and run game, as well as causing interceptions.
It may sound a bit hyperbolic, but it’s another “must win” game for the Los Angeles Rams.
