Rams offensive line roars back to life in road win over New England

Weekly roster review of who played, and who played well.

A down-trodden offensive line led the Los Angeles Rams to a tough, 28-22 road victory over the New England Patriots this Sunday past. The Pats defense came out blitzing and L.A.’s sixth different line configuration in 10 games was able to able to wall them out.

The protection kept the offense on point and it churned out 400 yards. Matthew Stafford was given the protection to stay on his spot and he delivered four touchdowns through the air. More importantly, L.A. showed some originality in the red zone and came away with touchdowns, not field goals. The run game got a nice dose of two tight end formations and showed some life, getting over the 100 yard mark after a couple of weeks struggling. They mixed up the run blocking quite well and it made play action a weapon.

The Patriots came in with a nice offensive gameplan, get the ball out quickly into the underneath areas of the zone, neutralizing the Rams pass rush. L.A. bent but didn’t break. Although they allowed 30 of 40 completions for 282 yards and another 125 on the ground, they only gave their season average of points. New England was content to take small bites and enjoyed a 37:20 to 22:40 time of possession advantage. By my count they only attempted five passes covered 10 air yards. The Rams run defense was let down by some poor one-on-one tackling, at least five positive runs came after a missed initial tackle.

Quarterback

The offensive line was able to provide Matthew Stafford (52, 100%) ample time to throw and he answered with his best game of the season. He consistently took advantage in the mid-depth areas. Staff was on time and accurate in the vertical pass game and while the breakaway touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp may have skewed his numbers a bit, 10.9 yards per attempt and 16.4 yards per completion are outstanding.

Running back

Comparing this season to last, the Rams have completely changed their run attack. Kyren Williams (42, 81%) is still undisputed #1 and continues to do his best work between the tackles, but unlike the past, there is no real change-up to the overall scheme. Williams has been responsible for 77% of carries and 79% of yards gained. Last year, when he gained 1144 yards those numbers were 47.7% and 56%. Last season, 14 different players (other than Williams) ran the ball 249 times, this year it’s down to seven different players and 58 carries.

Blake Corum (10, 19%) is a similar runner to Williams in that his best attributes are patience, vision and quick cuts in crowded/tight spaces. This was his biggest workload in a month. Gone are the jet sweeps by the “in space” runners, even as a set-up or counter play. The Rams are using subtle misdirection, not reverses.

Wide Receiver

How important are Puka Nacua (39, 75%) and Cooper Kupp (37, 71%) to the Rams passing game? There just aren’t a lot of targets to go around with them back in the lineup. In the four weeks since the pair returned, they are gobbling up 50% targets and 53% of completions

Over that same four-game period, Demarcus Robinson (39, 75%) has received 80% of snaps and only 14% of targets. For Tutu Atwell (7, 13%) it’s eight targets and Tyler Johnson (7, 13%) has two. Jordan Whittington (5, 10%) has been working his way back after an ill-timed injury and Xavier Smith (3, 6%) is just getting his feet wet on offense this season.

Tight ends

Maybe really good news is just days away with the report of Tyler Higbee’s return. It’s not that Higbee is a star, but rather his fit into the Sean McVay offense and being able to handle the dirty work.

Although L.A. did make use of two tight end formations, it was mostly run blocking and decoy to throw to others. The Rams trio were only targeted one time, the sweet touch down catch by Colby Parkinson (19, 37%), ironically a well-designed “12” formation play. Although Davis Allen (34, 65%) has been TE#1 for three straight games, his blocking leaves a lot to be desired if he’s not going to be targeted as a receiver. After a down week, Hunter Long (18, 35%) saw his snap count up and he appears to be the designated blocker in “12” sets, with only five targets on the season to show for 168 offensive reps.

Offensive line

Obviously a good day when you go over 400 yards of offense and don’t allow any sacks. L.A. mixed it up on zone run block schemes, using inside, mid and outside. They used power/gap duo and tight end leads as well. Even had a few where the pulled the opposite guard and a tight end. There was plenty of help for Warren McClendon (52, 100%) and he did fairly well on an island, as well. Beaux Limmer (52, 100%) didn’t miss a beat with a week off. Alaric Jackson (52, 100%) and Kevin Dotson (52, 100%) were solid, while Steve Avila (52, 100%) is playing himself into game shape and had a much better game.

Special teams

Although he has given up a lot of length, Ethan Evans (14) has become very adept at dropping punts inside the 20. I can’t say that I think the Rams coverage units are that much improved, but certainly, Evans’ hang time and angling have really helped out in that area. Jay Ward (9) had one offline snap, although not terrible and it didn’t hurt.

Josh Karty (5) pulled (not hooked) his first two made kicks and then pushed his third, the chip shot miss. If you don’t handle kickoffs and when you’re towards the bottom of both field goal (80%, 25th) and extra point percentage (90.5%, 28th) made, you should expect some scrutiny. Last year, fans were screaming for heads at 74.4% (FG) and 86.5% (XP) with zero missed field goal under 40 yards.

Defensive line

Kobie Turner (59, 78%) and Braden Fiske (43, 57%) continue to be a force inside, moveable pieces that create havoc. Versus New England, they combined for 10 tackles, three for loss, two sacks and tipped pass.

Bit of a reversion for Bobby Brown (27, 36%), he wasn’t getting off the ball and was being controlled. The flip side to that is that Tyler Davis (31, 41%) stepped up and had a solid game, by far his most play time of the year and certainly his best effort. He had a handful of stellar plays. Jonah Williams (13, 17%) had his most action, but now a decision looms on his future. He’s had his limit of three practice squad elevations and if the Rams want to use him for future games, must add him to the roster. Desjuan Johnson (5, 7%) has been active in four games this year.

Edge

Fans are used to this group terrorizing opposing quarterbacks, but the Pats quick-pass scheme neutralized them to a point. Jared Verse (64, 84%) did have five tackles and Byron Young (59, 78%) got a sack in his fourth straight game

The Rams need to make a promotional video about Michael Hoecht (50, 66%) and his on-field antics. While his ceiling is limited, he continuously plays like his pants are on fire, all over the field and constantly banging heads. The Rams have found him a nice niche and he has embraced it, his starts and snaps are down in 2024, but his effect on the game is up.

Brennan Jackson (6, 8%) is getting a few reps per game, there just aren’t many there. This unit has stayed healthy and productive.

Off ball linebackers

The Rams lift in aggression by the ascension of Omar Speights (42, 55%) to starter pales when compared to the influence on Christian Rozeboom (49, 64%). ‘Boom has been revitalized and the undrafted pair are playing well together. Jake Hummel (4, 5%) got a taste, interesting blitzing on all four.

Safety

Quentin Lake (76, 100%) and Kam Curl (76, 100%) were challenged by the underneath passing attack and answered with 15 tackles and three broken up passes.

Kam Kinchens (41, 54%) is showing good progress after a slow start. His best game as a Ram, he plays primarily high, but was really breaking downhill in certain sets to cover the flats and bring a load. Had eight tackles, one for loss, clawed out a fumble and snagged the game-clinching interception. Jaylen McCollough (29, 38%) doubled his work from last week, but not in his earlier pseudo-linebacker role, rather moving around from deep and underneath.

Cornerback

Not my favorite lineup when the Rams decide to put Ahkello Witherspoon (44, 58%) at outside corner and Cobie Durant (41, 54%) in the slot, but Durant had a strong game and we might see more of it, like it or not. I would prefer Josh Wallace, who again was limited to special teams work, in the slot or some rotation with the safeties. For tackling sake, if nothing else. Darious Williams (76, 100%) gave up a couple of short catches, but the Pats game plan didn’t see him challenged.

Active, but did not play

QB Jimmy Garappolo, T Geron Christian, IOL Joshua Jackson

Inactive

QB Stetson Bennett, RB Cody Schrader, C Dylan McMahon, G/T Joseph Noteboom, T Rob Havenstein, CB Charles Woods, DT Neville Gallimore

Day of the Eagle

Not the 1970’s Robin Trower rocker, but rather the birds from Philadelphia. It will be a big step up in class for the Rams as the Eagles fly in for a high-profile Sunday Night Football date.

Philly has a Top 10 ranking in both offense and defense.

The offense has a strong run game punctuated by the NFC’s leading rusher Saquon Barkley (1137 yards) and mobile quarterback Jalen Hurts (417 yards). Through the air, Hurts attacks with two fast wide receivers, AJ Brown and DaVonta Smith, with tight end Dallas Goedert doing damage underneath.

Under Vic Fangio, the Eagles defense is arguably the best in the NFC. This is not the usual bend-but-don’t-break Fangio scheme. They have been as stingy with yards as they have been with touchdowns.

Self-incurred mistake, and L.A. has made plenty of them, will be magnified against this level of competition must be cleaned up.The Rams cannot depend on mid/late game adjustments against a team this good, the offense must hit on all cylinders and the defense has to tackle. A win over the Eagles is tone-setter for the stretch drive.