5 reasons why Rams QB Goff shatters 5000 passing yards

Reason 2 – 12 package

The LA Rams had been a wide receiver based offense throughout head coach Sean McVay’s time with the team. Heavy wide receiver packages could stretch defenses sideline to sideline, allowing running back Todd Gurley to pick his running lane. It also afforded more receiving targets to Goff, who would choose the receiver for the most gain or with the most separation.

But defenses began to speed their pass rush. Smaller faster more agile edge rushers began to find success against the Rams in 2019. As more offensive linemen fell to injury, the team’s priority shifted from improving offensive line play to lining up five healthy players. Help had to come for another source.

Rams TEs defenses

After some time of frustrating offensive production, the Rams finally experimented with running two tight end sets more frequently. Surprisingly, the effect was not only to help a floundering running game, but it helped the passing game as well. With extra blockers on the line of scrimmage, speedy edge rushers found themselves slowed enough to miss putting pressure on Goff.

The results were impressive.  Not only did Goff’s passing return, but the team exploited eight-in-the-box by finding tight end Tyler Higbee for 522 receiving yards in December 2019. Those results are impossible to ignore as the team practices for the 2020 season. If Higbee can shred NFL defenses for 522 yards in one month, imagine the damage a combined Tyler Higbee/Gerald Everett can inflict on defenses in 2020.  We’ll soon find out.