5 critical takeaways from LA Rams victory

Deep ball? Check

The LA Rams offense seems to work smoothly when threatening defenses deep. And yet, those same defenses have developed a strategy that shunts the Rams’ efforts to throw long.  The quick and dirty narrative is that they have gotten faster on the edges, slyer on A-gap blitzes, or simply outman the Rams blockers by sending more numbers after the quarterback.

That strategy leaves a receiver open, but the Rams quarterbacks have struggled to find the open man as many of the short routes are well-covered. If only the Rams could complete a few deep balls, that would have a domino effect on future defensive strategies, wouldn’t it? Well, we’ll soon see, because backup quarterback John Wolford was able to complete some deep passes.

Deep passes are back on the menu

John Wolford attempted several deep passes that resulted in incompletions before finally connecting with wide receiver Robert Woods for 27 yards late in the first quarter.  After several additional deep incompletions, Wolford connected again in the third quarter, this time to tight end Tyler Higbee, for 26-yards.

A third deep pass connected with running back Cam Akers for 38 yards in the third quarter. While the first-time-starter lacked the right touch to connect as the field shortened in the red zone, the ability to connect three times on deep passes will cause some pause in defensive planning rooms. Can defenses throw large numbers of defenders to rush the quarterback if that plays into long completions? And if the defenders can cover, Wolford can break containment and rush for a first down.