Just in time for a playoff push, the Rams are playing some of their best football.
Despite a narrow final score of 28-20, the Los Angeles Rams outperformed the Washington Commanders in almost every aspect of their Sunday NFC matchup. Kyren Williams, the running back, battled for yards that were visible beyond what the offensive line could see because they were constantly given space. LA dominated both sides of the football field in the trenches, and Sam Howell was under constant pressure to the point where he was benched in favor of Jacoby Brissett.
At the most crucial time of the season, the Rams are playing some of their best football. Dominos appears to be working in their favor at the moment and opening up a spot in the NFC playoff picture. Now that they are back to.500, Los Angeles is excited about their Thursday Night Football matchup against the New Orleans Saints, which will have a significant impact on both clubs’ postseason prospects.
Which particular performances enabled the Rams to defeat the Commanders and maintain their hopes of making the playoffs? Now, let’s examine the “winners” and “losers” from Week 15:
Winners
Offensive Line
In this game, LA averaged an incredible 5.4 yards per carry with multiple players contributing. With 27 carries—possibly too much work—Kyren Williams did the most of the carrying, and Royce Freeman chipped in with another six rushes. Demarcus Robinson and Puka Nacua, two receivers, added three carries for a combined 26 yards.
Although Stafford was sacked three times, I believe this was more often the result of coverage making him hold the ball. Overall, the pass protection appeared reliable. In the run game, Joe Noteboom did have his share of difficult moments. I can recall at least two instances in which he was blown up and a tackle for loss was made in the backfield.
Quentin Lake, DB
Lake had been out of action for the past month or so due to a hamstring injury, and this was his first game back. On Washington’s first possession, he forced an incomplete pass and a three-and-out, demonstrating his value right away.
Lake appears to be a key component going forward in a season where the Rams are trying to figure out who on defense is worth keeping around.
Demarcus Robinson, WR
That being said, I was concerned that Los Angeles might lack depth or firepower due to Tutu Atwell’s concussion. At wide receiver #3, Robinson made a significant contribution and caught a touchdown pass for the third straight game. He appears to be developing a good rapport with Matthew Stafford and is a bigger target than he appears to have.
Robinson finished with a touchdown, two receptions for 44 yards, and an additional 23 yards from a rush. Not too bad.
Matthew Stafford, QB
Throughout the first two quarters, Stafford was very effective and took whatever the defense threw at him. He may have only committed one or two turnovers. It was encouraging to see Stafford be patient and work underneath since it was obvious that Washington would not allow Stafford and the Rams to defeat them thoroughly. When the chance arose (possibly due to a mishandled coverage by the Commanders), Stafford found Cooper Kupp for a 62-yard touchdown pass. What matters most is that the experienced player kept the ball out of danger.
For 258 yards and two touchdowns, Stafford completed 25 of 33 passes (76%) attempted.
Bobby Brown, DT
Late in the game, the Rams held the Commanders at the goal line until Derion Kendrick’s penalty awarded Washington a fresh set of downs. Brown was crucial in erecting a wall and preventing the loss of a touchdown in the air.
The run defense held strong overall, giving up 4.2 yards per attempt. After rookie Chris Rodriguez entered the game to begin the second half, Washington saw some success; however, LA eventually made adjustments and repelled the running attack.
Bobby Brown has had a quiet first two years in the NFL, but he is growing into a key member of the Rams defensive line.
Losers
Derion Kendrick, CB
Terry McLaurin, the star receiver, had an outstanding day. For the most part, it appeared that Ahkello Witherspoon was able to contain him, and the majority of McLaurin’s output was directed towards Derion Kendrick. Three intermediate-to-deep passes to McLaurin were completed by Kendrick, including a touchdown drive by Jacoby Brissett that ignited Washington’s comeback. In addition, the second-year corner made a poor penalty call in the closing moments, giving the Commanders life at the goal line and cutting the lead to just one possession.
In this game, Kendrick was given a challenging assignment, but this only serves to highlight how miscast he is as a full-time outside starting corner.
Kyren Williams’ ball security
Williams led the Rams offense and the Commanders intentionally limited big plays, so it wouldn’t be fair to declare him an absolute “loser” in this game. Without his 27 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown along with another five receptions for three yards, LA most likely wins this game.
Even so, Washington was being dominated in almost every facet of the game until his two fumbles gave them life. Both conceded territory to Commanders and ended lengthy, fruitful drives toward Los Angeles. For this team, the stakes will only rise, so they cannot afford for Williams to handle the ball carelessly.
Tyler Higbee, TE
Higbee finished with four receptions for 36 yards after hauling in an incredible pass and toe-drag catch from Matthew Stafford; however, the Rams were forced to play from behind early in the game due to a false start penalty. Davis Allen, a rookie, is still getting to know the offensive system and is starting to see opportunities to contribute.
Are we certain that Davis isn’t currently a better player than Higbee, particularly in light of the fact that Higbee recently received a new contract extension while Davis will spend the next three seasons on a rookie contract that is restricted in cost?
Deep passing coverage
Apart from Kendrick’s personal problems, opposing offenses have been very successful this week in exploiting the gaps in LA’s coverage. This is the second consecutive week of such success. Last week, Lamar Jackson completed touchdown passes, one of which went to former Ram Odell Beckham, Jr. Sam Howell didn’t have much luck in this game, but after Brissett took over, things started to turn around.
Even though Derek Carr still has the arm talent and weapons to make you pay in the deep parts of the field, the Saints might not seem like a difficult opponent. The Rams might end up on the outside looking in on the playoff race if they don’t address this problem.