10 takeaways from the Rams win over the Saints

The Rams are back at .500 with a tough win over the Saints. 10 takeaways from Sunday’s win.

The Los Angeles Rams got back to .500 with a 21-14 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 13. While it wasn’t pretty, the Rams found a way to get the job done which is all that matters at this point in the season. There’s a lot to get to after Sunday’s win so let’s jump right into our 10 takeaways.

1. What’s wrong with the Rams offense?

It seems odd to be talking about the Rams offense when Sean McVay is the head coach. However, it’s become a weekly talking point. The first half on Sunday may be the worst that it’s been this season. For the first time in the McVay era, the Rams offense was shutout in the first half. It’s the first time that the Rams offense has been shutout in the first half since against the Atlanta Falcons in 2016. Jeff Fisher was fired as the head coach the next day.

This isn’t to say that McVay should be fired or that he should give up play-calling, but something is clearly missing. The Rams had a fully healthy starting five on the offensive line against the Saints and the offense was as disconnected as ever. The million dollar question is why? Part of it is the offensive line. That’s a group that has had no cohesiveness or confidence from the quarterback. There is schematic element as the run and pass game don’t feel connected. It’s also a group that lacks explosiveness. They don’t have a player that can make a five yard catch 50 and win one-on-one matchups. Much like after 2019 and 2022, McVay is going to need to take a serious look at the offense this offseason.

2. The run game was balanced with early dose of Blake Corum

Whether it was disciplinary or a much-needed wake up call, the Rams utilized Blake Corum early in the game and the result was a more balanced rushing attack. Corum had three games this season with five or more rushing attempts. The rookie running back had five carries in the first quarter alone, finishing with eight carries for 42 yards.

The early-dose of Corum seemed to have a positive impact on Williams and the rest of the offense. If you fumble and also can’t pass protect, McVay is not afraid to give other guys opportunities. Hopefully this wasn’t a one-week thing and the Rams continue to use both players.

3. Defense kept the Rams in it while the offense was anemic

The Rams very easily could have and should have been trailing by much more than 6-0 after the first half against the Saints. However, the defense got two red zone stops, forcing field goals, and it gave the offense an opportunity to come back in the second half. Against a better offense, it’s very possible that the Rams are down at least two scores at the half. However, the defense made plays when needed and it paid off in the end.

It was the definition of complementary football. When one unit was off, the other stepped up. That has been the case throughout the year as the offense has started slowly game after game. This defense may not be the best in the NFL, but the potential is certainly there moving forward.

4. Matthew Stafford had his worst game of the season

Through the entire first half, quarterback Matthew Stafford simply did not look comfortable. In the first half, Stafford was 4-for-10 for 23 yards and took two bad sacks after holding the ball for too long. The Saints defense came out with a good game plan of playing tight man-to-man coverage against the Rams wide receiver, but Stafford simply wasn’t as sharp as he’s been for most of the season.

The positive here is that even if Stafford didn’t have a good game, it didn’t result in any turnovers. He was also much sharper in the second half, hitting throws when needed, including two touchdowns. Over the final six weeks, the Rams will need the best version of Matthew Stafford. Hopefully as the offensive line starts to play more snaps together, Stafford can start to trust the guys in front of him.

5. Sean McVay made great second half adjustments

One of the biggest criticisms that doesn’t have a lot of base to it is that Sean McVay doesn’t make second half adjustments. McVay’s second half adjustments against the Saints were the difference in this game. The Saints dominated the first half on defense playing tight man coverage and forcing the Rams wide receivers to win one-on-one matchups. In the second half, the Rams came out running a lot of man-beaters and play-action and the adjustments paid off.

Half of Stafford’s passing attempts came out of play action and 10 of those came in the second half. Stafford had an EPA per dropback of 0.6 with play action compared to -0.62 EPA per dropback without play action. McVay simplified the game plan for his struggling quarterback.

6. There is a glaring need for a top cornerback this offseason

The need for a top cornerback remains one of the biggest holes on the Rams roster this offseason. Big plays are going to happen, but the rate at which they happen in the Rams secondary needs to be resolved. General manager Les Snead attempted to put duct tape over the issue this offseason and neither Tre White or Darious Williams have necessarily worked out

Williams gave up a big play to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and then subsequently allowed the two-point conversion. The Rams simply don’t have a cornerback that can consistently make a play on the ball. That needs to be the number one priority this offseason.

7. Rams came out on right side of red zone success

Several times this season, the Rams have come out on the wrong side of success in the red zone. Those games have typically ended in losses. The Rams started the year going 2-for-5 in the red zone against the Lions. They have also gone 1-for-4 in the red zone in a loss to the Bears, and 0-for-3 in a loss to the Dolphins.

That was the complete opposite against the Saints. The Rams ended up going 3-for-3 in the red zone on Sunday and held the Saints to a 0-for-2 success rate in the red zone. Not only did the Rams go 3-for-3, but coming into the game, the Saints had the number six rated red zone defense. On defense, the Rams have been efficient in the red zone this season. After Sunday’s performance, they very quietly have the sixth-ranked red zone defense in the NFL.

8. Kyren Williams shows why he’s still the guy

Kyren Williams got rightfully criticized last week after his opening drive fumble changed the complexion of the game. However, on Sunday he showed why he is still the lead running back in the Rams backfield. He split time with Corum early, but by the end of the game, it was the Kyren Williams show.

Williams finished with 15 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown. Over half of his rushes produced a positive EPA and he had a +36 rush yards over expected. That’s his most in a game since Week 15 last season. That doesn’t mean that Williams still doesn’t have issues with explosiveness, but it was a nice bounce back performance.

9. Jared Verse is Him

This isn’t to compare Jared Verse to Aaron Donald, but the rookie has been exactly what the Rams needed on defense following Donald’s retirement. Coming into the season, nobody knew who was gonna be “the guy”. Versestepped up and embraced that role for much of this season. When the game has been on the line, it has been Verse who has stepped up and made plays. It was his pressure against the Raiders that forced a Gardner Minshew interception. His forced fumble on Sunday clinched the game for the Rams against the Saints. That doesn’t mention Verse’s batted pass against the Seahawks that should have ended that game if not for a long 4th-down conversion.

Big players make big plays in big moments and Verse is showing that he is a big player. The Rams needed somebody on defense this season that they could rely on to make a play when they needed it. That player this season has consistently been Jared Verse.

10. Winning these games is huge moving forward

The win against the Saints is obviously big as it keeps the Rams playoff hopes alive. They remain tied with the Arizona Cardinals and one game behind the Seahawks for the NFC West lead. With that said, Sunday’s win is much more important from a big picture perspective. Best case scenario this year, the Rams make the postseason and maybe win a playoff game. This team isn’t going anywhere significant this season as they lack consistency.

However, learning how to tough out wins like this for a young team is important. The first half didn’t go how the Rams would have liked, but they showed resilience to come out in the second half and get the win. As the young defensive players continue to mature, winning games like this will go a long way.