Intervention time: How LA Rams lopsided TOP impacts defense

Week 4 case study

But the Time of Possession did reflect the way the Cardinals took apart the Rams team in practically every way. It was the perfect storm of turnovers, offensive miscues, defensive porousness, and special teams mayhem.

How bad was it? Well, this is the post-game wrap up:

One of the big problems in the game was the fact that the Rams started the game by taking a three-point lead. But after a poorly thrown ball led to an interception that led to a touchdown, the Rams suddenly fount themselves playing catch up. After the Cardinals matched the Rams touchdown to retake the lead, the Rams coughed up the ball deep in their own territory. The Cardinals scored their second touchdown off a turnover, and the game was completely out of hand at that point.

Once the Rams are down by double digits, they seem to transform into a pass-only offense. In essence, that strategy immediately puts the burden upon the defense because no time comes off the clock with an incompletion or when a receiver runs out of bounds with the football. So there is a bit of Catch-22 to it as well. By falling behind badly, the team’s own strategy will amplify the disparity.  Now, let’s apply these lessons over the course of a full season under head coach Sean McVay.