Why the Rams offense isn’t as explosive. The most puzzling question of any team in the NFC West. As many can tell, the LA Rams offense isn’t as explosive this season. Some people might be asking themselves “how can a team look so different compared to a year ago?”. The answer might not be just one thing but could be a variety of reasons. Through three games last season the Rams offense averaged an explosive 31.6 points per game with 388 total yards. This season however, the Rams offense has averaged 20.3 points per game with 306 total yards. Let’s take a look at why the Rams offense isn’t as explosive.
Why The Rams Offense Isn’t As Explosive:
The Rams offensive line is missing key pieces from last season. Andrew Whitworth retired in the offseason, and Austin Corbett left in free agency for the Carolina Panthers. Pairing those departures with injuries to the guys filling their places and you have yourself a disaster. Joe Noteboom took over the left tackle position for Whitworth but looked shaky in week one vs the Buffalo Bills. The o line as a whole gave up seven sacks to the Bills organic four man pass rush but has gotten better over the last few games; giving up just two sacks.
Lack of chemistry:
Matthew Stafford looks off at times doesn’t he? His timing with receivers not named Cooper Kupp doesn’t seem there in certain cases. The Rams added receiver Allen Robinson in free agency and he is yet to explode on the scene as he’s dropped passes and doesn’t look like a factor. With the dealing of Robert Woods to Tennessee in the offseason, many thought that Stafford and Robinson would be the next Stafford-Kupp connection. That hasn’t been true thus far and I have a theory as to why it hasn’t been what we hoped for.
Stafford was traded to the Rams before Super Bowl 55 for Jared Goff and three first round draft picks. Once the deal was official he immediately started bonding with Kupp and other receivers, building a connection. This past offseason however, Stafford spent most of the time watching from the sidelines in training camp as he dealt with elbow tendonitis. Which brings me to my theory… Stafford wasn’t able to build up trust or a connection with the new receiver during training camp. None of the starters played in the preseason either which makes the game rust even thicker. As the season goes on I’m sure Robinson and Stafford will gain that chemistry that he and Kupp have. Until then however it’s part of the Rams offensive struggles.
Missing The Explosive OBJ:
If you watched the games last season after the bye, you would’ve seen a superstar on the offense. A superstar in which people counted out. That superstar is named Odell Beckham Jr. When OBJ arrived and started to heat up, this offense took off. The Rams offense down the stretch put up 25.5 points per game including the playoffs. The rams were 9-3 to end the 2021 season with OBJ, including a 5 game win streak that saw the offense average 27 points per game.
When Beckham tore his ACL in the Super Bowl, the Offense didn’t look as crisp or explosive as before he got hurt. Pairing OBJ with Jefferson (when he returns), Kupp and Robinson will be deadly for any defense to have to game plan for.
Run, Run, Run:
The tandem of Darrell Henderson and Cam Akers combined have been sub par. They’ve both had their moments this season where they look really good; but overall the run game for the Rams is mediocre. I say mediocre because well, they haven’t been able to get going. In three games last season, the Rams tandem of Sony Michel and Henderson put up 83.6 yards per game. This year with a healthy Akers resuming his role as the other tandem, the team is averaging 72.3 yards per game.
I wrote an article the other day about Darrell Henderson called “Breakout player Prediction: LA Rams”. I stand by my pick, but you have to wonder when the run game will come around. Injuries to the O line don’t help because the replacements are still trying to find their footing. For Noteboom, this is the first time in which he has a secure starting job and it could have been the jitters. Since week one he hasn’t had an issue with blocking in the pass or run game.
If the Rams are going to continue their success this week vs the 49ers, they’re going to need to get the running game going. Furthermore, if they want to sustain success the rest of the season; they must have a consistent running game.