Some observations from the Rams’ playoff loss to the Lions, including Matthew Stafford’s strong performance
Los Angeles Rams lost 24-23 to the Detroit Lions on the road during the Wild Card round of the playoffs, which marked the end of the team’s campaign. It’s never easy to watch a season end, particularly when there were so many chances the Rams could have taken. It’s difficult not to be enthusiastic about the future, though. These are ten things to remember from the Rams’ playoff defeat to the Lions.
1. Matthew Stafford showed up in an emotional game
Matthew Stafford delivered exactly what the Rams could have hoped for. Throughout the game, he completed about seven “no-look” passes and was having a great time. The quarterback for the Rams completed 25 of 36 passes for 367 yards and two touchdowns. Although Stafford missed a throw to Cooper Kupp in the second half that would have resulted in a big gain, Stafford performed admirably overall.
It was always going to be an emotional game, Stafford’s return to Detroit, going into it. The Rams quarterback was accurate right away. In the end, he had an EPA per dropback of 0.448 as opposed to 0.374 for Jared Goff. Since at least 2012, Stafford’s 0.448 EPA per dropback was the highest for a losing quarterback in the wild card round. Stafford did not cause the Rams to lose.
2. The defense failed to put Jared Goff under pressure and forced them to pay.
It was always going to be difficult for the Rams defense to stop the Lions offense. But the secret was to put internal pressure on Goff to make mistakes. That just didn’t happen—especially in the beginning. In order to win their one-on-ones and make plays, the Rams needed players other than Aaron Donald, but that didn’t happen.
Goff had a 22-for-22 record when clean. He had a fumble and was 0 for 5 when under duress. In the first half, the Rams had trouble applying pressure, allowing the Lions to go down the field three times in a row and score three touchdowns. The Rams’ pregame plan was to contain explosive plays and force the Lions offense to settle for field goals whenever it could. That didn’t occur, and the difficulty was simply too great to bear.
3. McVay was largely competent but made a few expensive errors.
Unfortunately, there are some things about Sean McVay that will never go well. Play-calling in the red zone is one of them. One could argue that the number of passes was not the main problem with the play-calling on Sunday Night. McVay is obsessed with the back-corner fade in the red zone when it comes to play-calling. The Rams did not convert on any of the at least three of them that they ran. Considering its ineffectiveness and low success rate, that play ought to be thrown out of the playbook.
McVay has gotten some criticism for sitting on a 21-17 deficit going into the half instead of being aggressive. Had the Rams had the ball at the 30, it’s an argument. The Rams had the ball at the five because the defense couldn’t get off the field earlier on the previous drive. McVay deserves credit for going for it on 4th-and-5 that led to a touchdown. An argument can be made that McVay should have gone for it on one of the fourth downs in the red zone instead of settling for three. He also probably should have tried to get a chunk back on the 3rd-and-14 on the final drive to set up a “go” situation instead of trying to get it all back in one chunk.
4. The difference in efficiency in the red zone
Until the end of time, we can discuss penalties that ought to have been called. Ultimately, though, the Rams were 0 for 3 in the red zone versus the 29th-ranked red zone defense in the NFL. That represents twelve possible points that are lost. The Lions, on the other hand, went 3-for-3 in the red zone. It’s an empty possession that would have been significant at the time if the defense stops the drive on the fourth down.
That’s something the Rams have power over. It is unacceptable for the offense to be 0 for 3 in the red zone when playing the 29th-ranked defense. Once more, it’s arguable that the Rams should have run the ball more in the red zone rather than passing and attempting the back-corner fade multiple times.
5. In major games, elite players tend to show up, and Puka Nacua did just that.
One of the two prominent Rams players who made an appearance was Puka Nacua. With 181 yards, he broke the rookie receiving record for a single game. He scored the ideal touchdown on a double move with 14-3 deficit. When targeted, Nacua had the highest EPA of any rookie pass catcher in the playoffs since at least 1999 (14.6 EPA).
Nacua is a star player that the Rams have discovered, and this is just the beginning. He has a whole new offseason ahead of him, so his growth should only accelerate. This season, Nacua has never failed to show up when the Rams needed a play. The rookie selected in the fifth round has a bright future.
6. Missed tackles were evident during crucial times.
Given the way the Rams defense was missing tackles, one might have assumed they were facing Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers. The Rams made 15 tackle errors on defense, but they were present during crucial plays. A 54-yard field goal was all that was left after a missed tackle at the beginning of the second half instead of a 59-yarder. On the last drive, Michael Hoecht missed a tackle, which allowed the Lions to have a first down and effectively ended the game.
Ultimately, the Rams must bolster their defense and secondary with physical players and playmakers. Their weakness remains the missed tackles, especially when playing teams like the 49ers and Lions. Once more, this is something under the Rams’ control.
7. Cooper Kupp and Kyren Williams needed to give the Rams more.
Stafford and Nacua both made an appearance against the Lions. Kyren Williams and Cooper Kupp were a little underwhelming. Williams had to leave the game several times due to a hand injury and possible concussion. The Rams could have used him in the red zone, but he only managed 13 carries for 61 yards in the end.
Kupp only managed 27 yards from five receptions. It’s true that Kupp never seemed to be fully healthy this season due to injuries. But given that the wide receiver is entering his 30s and has a history of injuries, it’s reasonable to wonder what lies ahead for him. While Kupp was crucial to the 2021 Super Bowl team, he was conspicuously absent on Sunday Night Football save from a fourth-down conversion.
8. Defense gave offense and chance and they disappeared
The Rams offense kept up with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers early in the season, but it vanished in the second half. Meanwhile, the defense persevered after making adjustments in the second half. Against the Lions, that is precisely what transpired.
With 17 points in the first half, the Rams offense had a fantastic game. However, they were overwhelmed in the second half by a defense that was below average. If the offense converts one of their trips into a touchdown in the red zone, that might be a different story. Having said that, the defense limited Detroit to three points in the second half. That ought to have been sufficient to turn a four-point deficit for the offense. In the end, the defense failed to produce the necessary stop, but offensively, they had a second-half opportunity to seize the initiative.
9. The Rams and Lions are developing a rivalry
The Rams and Saints had a fierce rivalry that peaked after the 2019 NFC Championship Game and lasted from 2017 to 2019. Both teams faced off in crucial regular-season games that determined their seeds as well as their lone playoff matchup. The Rams and Lions could be going in that direction.
In 2021, everything was fun and games as Stafford and the Rams won the Super Bowl. The Lions were hardly a threat because they were at the bottom of the NFL. Both teams are scheduled to play in the regular season of the following year, so Sunday’s game could alter those sentiments. There’s no denying the connection between these two teams with Stafford and Goff. This is developing into a minor rivalry since both are rising.
10. The Rams are one playoff victory away and will have access to offseason resources.
It’s difficult not to feel proud of the Rams when you stand back and consider what this season was like. Despite winning ten games, they were perceived as a team that was tanking this season. In terms of defensive spending, the defense came in dead last, but it outperformed other reputable units with higher expectations.
On the road, the Rams fell short by one point against a team regarded as a serious contender. For the first time since Sean McVay took over, they will have cap space and a top-20 draft pick this offseason. This young Rams team will have the opportunity to advance significantly in 2024 after gaining a great deal of valuable experience this season.