Against the Browns, Puka Nacua took over and the Rams won their third straight game.
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cleveland Browns 36-19 to make it three wins in a row. The Rams’ victory puts them back at.500 and puts them in the thick of the NFC playoff hunt. Against a formidable Browns defense, Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense continued to be effective. In the meantime, the Rams defense won with just enough play. These are the ten things we learned.
1. Defense Opening Drive Woes
A point can be made regarding offenses that enter the game with a predetermined plan and are expected to succeed. Meanwhile, in each of their last three games, the Rams have given up a touchdown on the first drive. The remainder of the season is consistent with that. In six out of their twelve games in 2023, Los Angeles has given up a touchdown on the first drive. They have forfeited three more points or the chance to earn more.
Once more, offenses typically write the first 15 plays of the game, and those plays are directly inspired by the week’s game planning. However, on a third-and-14, the defense had a chance to leave the field but failed to do so. The defense must improve to start the game even though the scripted plays are supposed to be effective. They’ve adapted to games well after the initial drive. Having said that, they must figure out how to begin games more effectively.
2. The Reason Matthew Stafford Is Their QB Is Reminding Us of His Audible
In today’s NFL, it is rare to witness a quarterback call an audible or check out of a play at the line of scrimmage. But Stafford’s action there was crucial in the Rams seizing the initiative early in the contest. Stafford abandoned the initial play-call on a second-and-one play after spotting a wide open area in the middle of the field. After switching to shotgun, the quarterback for the Rams split the Browns defense, with Puka Nacua crossing over the middle. Stafford stated following the match,
“That was something that Sean (McVay), the head coach, and I had actually discussed.” If I could sense that one coming and managed to re-enter the shotgun, I kind of wanted to try to get to something like that. Puka Nacua, the wide receiver, clearly did a fantastic job of kind of hands-off-ing that play; he kept the linebacker in the dark about the ball’s impending arrival, and his touchdown run to seal the victory was a major momentum play.”
Stafford is the quarterback for the Rams for exactly these kinds of situations. He can be trusted by Sean McVay to make those decisions at the line of scrimmage. It’s these kinds of pivotal plays that set Stafford apart.
3. Is Puka Nacua the best wide receiver for the Rams?
This season, Puka Nacau, a rookie wide receiver for the Rams, has broken records almost every week. He shattered the Rams’ team record on Sunday for the most receiving yards in a rookie season. Along with surpassing the 1,000-yard mark, this is another noteworthy achievement.
Puka Nacua leads all rookies this season with the highest average of 2.53 yards per route run (minimum 50 targets).
Since PFF began collecting data on rookie wide receivers in 2006, the only players with more are:
2020 Justin Jefferson: 2.66
2019 AJ Brown: 2.67
2014 OBJ: 2.75
Nacua is the Rams’ offensive mainstay. The team took early control thanks to a touchdown reception of 70 yards from him. Nacua attempted a jet sweep from 31 yards out with the score tied at 13. Six plays later, the offense scored a touchdown. Nacua has usually made the play when the Rams offense has needed one this season.
4. Kobie Turner Is Still Playing With Greater Confidence
Without a doubt, the Rams’ rookie class continues to provide excellent output. Kobie Turner is one such player. Turner recorded four or more pressures and multiple sacks in a game for the second time in a row. On the defensive line, he occasionally has advantageous matchups with Aaron Donald, but he’s seizing those chances. McVay stated,
“I believe Kobie to be a really curious individual. He is older than he looks. Many of these guys, like Steve Avila, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner, are extremely mature for their age and are making great strides toward further development. However, when it comes to having mentors who can truly guide you, Aaron Donald is the best person to serve as an example. And I’ve been incredibly lucky and blessed to be able to coach a player like him as well as a lot of our seasoned leaders who have really poured into these guys. His consistency and approach to the game are admirable.”
With 23 total pressures this season, Turner is ranked third among rookie defensive linemen in the NFL. He also leads all rookies with 5.5 sacks. Turner was a steal for the Rams, and he keeps improving. Although he has made his most spectacular plays as a pass rusher, he has also contributed to the run game.
5. Sean McVay Made Important Changes
Sean McVay is sometimes chastised for not making enough adjustments. There is merit to some of those criticisms. But for the Browns game, he made some crucial changes that had a significant effect. Matthew Stafford was, to begin with, getting the ball out fast. With an average throw time of 2.42 seconds, the Rams quarterback was fourth fastest in the league this week. Actually, 21 out of his 37 dropbacks, or 56.8%, were completed in less than 2.5 seconds.
In addition to using quicker throws, McVay frequently used Kyren Williams and his tight ends to chip Myles Garrett and assist Alaric Jackson. Despite his injuries, Garrett only faced two pressures during the entire match. A major part of that was McVay supporting his left tackle and calling a quick passing game.
6. The Rams offense is finally gelling, and it’s fantastic.
In the early part of the season, the Rams offense was among the NFL’s best statistically. They occasionally lacked rhythm, though, and the offense as a whole appeared out of synchronization.
The Rams are fourth in overall offensive success rate and fifth in offensive EPA per play since the bye week and during their current three-game winning streak. The run and pass game used to function as two distinct entities, but now they are combined, which is a significant difference. Everything else has benefited from Kyren Williams’s role as the run game’s engine.
7. The momentum was altered by John Johnson III’s intercept
John Johnson III joined the Cleveland Browns after leaving the Rams after the 2020 campaign. The Rams just don’t pay safeties, and he deserved to be paid. After a disappointing campaign, Johnson III was cut by the Browns prior to the season, and the Rams were able to sign him to a low-risk, inexpensive contract.
Johnson has been quiet thus far this season, and he is not the same player as he was in 2020. But it was almost unbelievable how his interception altered the game’s momentum so drastically. After two consecutive scoring drives lasting almost seven minutes, the Browns were down 20-19 and had a chance to tie the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Johnson’s interception ended that and gave the Rams firm control.
8. The Rams are Playing Complementary Football
Based on that, the Rams are playing fantastic complementary football. The offense scored six points as a result of the Johnson interception. After Ethan Evans’ punt was downed at the two-yard line and the defense went on a three-and-out, special teams were called in.
The Rams’ three units are competing against one another. The defense cleared the field despite the Browns having excellent field position, even after Lucas Havrisik’s missed field goal. This season, the Rams have occasionally played without complementary football, but they are now playing that way, and you can see everything come together.
9. Kyren Williams is a Closer at Running Back
The Los Angeles offense hasn’t had a closer at running back for the previous three or four years. Although Cam Akers had his moments, he was never a reliable player at the end of games. Kyren Williams has proven he is capable of being that person.
Cooper Kupp scored after Williams set him up for a touchdown, giving the Rams a 34-19 lead. This season, the Rams’ run game has the fourth-highest success rate in the fourth quarter. Running the ball is the best way to shut out teams late in games, and Williams has proven he can be counted on in those circumstances.
10. The Rams are once again competitive in the NFC Playoffs
With a 6-6 record, the Rams are currently in the thick of the NFC Playoff competition. Although the Sunday Night Football victory of the Green Bay Packers over the Kansas City Chiefs wasn’t perfect, the Rams are still in charge of their own fate. The Rams will be fine if they can continue to lead the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, and Packers.
The Rams have advanced significantly since their 3-6 season and their apparent battle for a top-10 pick. December football in Los Angeles is meaningful, which is very different from where the team was a year ago, or even at times before Sean McVay took over. In a season that was supposed to be about rebuilding, it is very possible that the Rams make the playoffs again if they win the games that they should.