Optical Illusion: How bad was the LA Rams offense?

The evolution revolution

That now brings us full circle, back to why the LA Rams needed to trade for Matthew Stafford. Ultimately, McVay’s game plan can cover from 70-85 percent of what the offense was likely to face from the opposing defense on any given Sunday. But what of those games when the defense does not act as expected? What happens when the game plan is not effective?

Well, that is where the innovation and play-creation abilities of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford become their most valuable. Much like the Aaron Donald effect on defense, the Matthew Stafford effect on offense elevated the quality of the offensive line and the receivers in the game. The offense now boasted someone who could adapt on the fly to what the defense was during in real-time in the game. That enabled the offense to compensate instantly, rather than wait for McVay to draw up answers on the whiteboard that sometimes required several weeks to install.

And what of Matthew Stafford? While he was not error-free, he certainly masted the art of fourth-quarter comebacks. And it was his fiery competitive spirit that made him the perfect fit in Sean McVay’s offense. In fact, he was more than just the best driver of the high-octane offense. He actually helped it to run better than it was designed to do.

By halftime of the Rams Super Bowl, the team was without wide receivers Robert Woods, Odell Beckham Jr, Tutu Atwell, and Jacob Harris due to injuries. And thanks to injuries to RBs Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson Jr., Jake Funk, Xavier Jones, and Raymond Calais, the rushing attack was nowhere near in synch for such an important game.

On top of all of this, it was Matthew Stafford’s first season with the team.

Yes, the team will need to restock the roster. But even as injured players return to the active roster for 2022, the Rams offense will get significant boosts in both rushing and passing potential. By rights, the most important needs on the team for the offense seem to be filling depth and adding players who can help on the offensive line.

It’s tough to be critical of any team’s offense after a Super Bowl victory. But even considering all of that, this LA Rams offense could be even better in 2022.