Rams’ offense is peaking at the right time during playoff push
The Rams appeared poised for a carry on first-and-10. Running back Kyren Williams was 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage, helpful to get a full head of steam, while receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp were lined up tight to assist in blocking.
But quarterback Matthew Stafford saw something he could exploit in the Cleveland Browns’ defense, one of the least susceptible units to big plays in the NFL.
Stafford checked into a play he had discussed with head coach Sean McVay earlier in the week. He stepped back and Williams joined him in the shotgun. He called out a route combination to Nacua and Kupp on his right, and they took a couple of steps outside. A couple of notes from Stafford to his offensive line, and then the ball was snapped.
As Nacua began to run his post route, the offensive line cleared out four down defensive linemen. Williams stepped in front of Stafford to block a safety blitzing out of the nickel, getting just enough contact that the Brown floated past Stafford, unable to block his pass.
And what a pass, zipping right over the head of a linebacker trying to recover as Nacua streaked downfield. And the rookie receiver, lifting his hands at the last second to ensure the linebacker didn’t raise his arms to deflect the ball.
Once the catch was made, Nacua did the rest, sprinting for a 70-yard touchdown that gave the Rams an early lead in a game in which they never trailed again, coming away with a 36-19 win.
“Football’s the greatest team sport,” McVay marveled on Monday. “It took all 11, but those two in particular when you talk about Matthew and Puka, they were phenomenal there.”
The play was a good representation of an offense that is finding its groove at the right time of the season. After scoring 30 points just once in the first 10 games of the season – back in the season opener – the Rams have topped that mark two weeks in a row.
Williams is averaging 115.5 yards rushing per game since his return from injured reserve. Nacua continues to shine. Kupp found the end zone Saturday for the first time since Week 6. Stafford’s injured throwing thumb is showing signs of improvement after completing 22 of 37 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns against the Browns. Backup tight ends Hunter Long and Davis Allen are taking pressure off Tyler Higbee in run blocking so he can thrive in the passing game.
And even the guys who don’t normally show up in the stat sheet, the offensive line, have not allowed a sack in two straight games.
“The offensive line deserves a ton of credit, but I also think it’s a reflection of the entire unit,” McVay said. “Matthew, those guys that are protecting, the backs, tight ends, even receivers separating and the timing and rhythm.”
It’s the right time for the Rams as, following this three-game winning streak, they stand at 6-6, just outside of the NFC playoff standings due to a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Green Bay Packers. And after overcoming one of the best defenses in the league against Cleveland, they’ll have to do it all over again this week against the Baltimore Ravens (9-3).
“I think you learn a lot about a team when you go through some adversity,” Stafford said. “We obviously did that early on in this season, personnel-wise, outcome-wise, whatever it was, our guys have done a great job of just continuing to work and that’s the kind of stuff that pays off in the end.”
INJURY REPORT
Nacua was diagnosed with an AC sprain after he temporarily left Sunday’s win, McVay said. The receiver was feeling sore when he returned to the practice facility on Monday and might miss or be limited in practices early in the week, but McVay said he expects the rookie to play next weekend against the Ravens.
Higbee suffered a neck stinger on Sunday. Safety Quentin Lake (hamstring) has missed the last two games, but McVay said the second-year player out of UCLA has a chance to play against the Ravens, and if not then he will definitely be cleared for the following game against the Washington Commanders.