LA Rams OTs are the best that the Bengals have faced in postseason

Liars, damned liars, and statisticians

Analysis at this time of year is risky. Most of the numbers crunched are basic numbers. But the numbers themselves tell a story that is often overlooked. For example, the LA Rams offense rushed just an average of 94.3 yards per game so far in the post-season. But two of their three playoff opponents played outstanding defense against the run.

Right now, the Bengals are not a very good run defense in the playoffs. Their opponents, however, were not very good rushing offenses all season. So there is every reason to believe that there is the potential for the LA Rams rushing offense to have some success. And that, combined with a perception that RB Cam Akers has lost a step after his Achilles Tendon injury, makes this an ideal situation for the Rams.

How so?

The Bengals are coming into this game knowing that the LA Rams have not been able to run the ball effectively so far. In fact, in terms of efficiency, the Rams ground game is a pedestrian 2.9 yards per run. Nothing to fear here, right?

Well, the Las Vegas Raiders averaged 7.2 yards per run against that Bengals defense. The Kansas City Chiefs averaged 5.8 yards per run. Even the Tennessee Titans average 5.2 yards per run against the Bengals’ defense. Now here come the LA Rams, a team that averages nearly 33 runs per game. If they get anything close to that 5.0+ yards per rush average? This game is going to go completely the Rams way.

So what could possibly convince me that these Rams can run the ball effectively? The Rams rushed for 140 yards against the Arizona Cardinals on 38 carries. All season long, the LA Rams entire team performed much more efficiently when the Rams put up a balanced offensive attack.