Deep dive analysis LA Rams offensive line and offensive struggles

Struggles in the trenches

The Rams are getting beaten right now by a host of issues, but let’s focus on the contributing facts that are within the LA Rams’ control.  For whatever reason, the 49ers are able to prod the Rams to pass the football, at the expense of all else. The Rams were within a single score until deep in the fourth quarter.

And yet, the Rams treated the game by passing behind a patchwork offensive line 48 times. How does that make sense? Some say the Rams were unable to run the football. But Darrell Henderson averaged 3.7 yards per fun. RB Malcolm Brown never got a chance to run.  Running the football helps the offensive line because it gives them a chance to move forward.

The 49ers blitzed frequently against the Rams’ offense. If the Rams call a running play, they could have caught the 49ers’ defense out of position. Instead, their stunts confused the team’s offensive line, and the Rams’ offense continued to pass right into a defense that was playing the pass.

Week 1 – Buffalo Bills

Joe Noteboom – 67 snaps, 0 penalties, 3 sacks allowed
David Edwards – 67 snaps, 1 penalty, 2 sacks allowed
Brian Allen – 67 snaps, 0 penalties, 1 sack allowed
Coleman Shelton – 67 snaps, 0 penalties, 0 sacks allowed
Rob Havenstein – 67 snaps, 0 penalties, 1 sack allowed

QB Matthew Stafford – 29 of 41 for 240 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs, 7 sacks – (49 yds loss), QBR 26.5
RB Darrell Henderson Jr. – 13 rushes for 47 yards
RB Cam Akers – 3 rushes for 0 yards
Rams averaged 2.94 YPC

Week 2 – Atlanta Falcons

Joe Noteboom – 62 snaps, 0 penalties, 0 sacks allowed
David Edwards – 62 snaps, 0 penalties, 0 sacks allowed
Coleman Shelton – 62 snaps, 1 penalty, 0 sacks allowed
* Tremayne Anchrum – 2 snaps, 0 penalties, 0 sacks allowed
Alaric Jackson – 60 snaps, 1 penalty, 0 sacks allowed
Rob Havenstein – 62 snaps, 1 penalty, 0 sacks allowed

QB Matthew Stafford – 27 of 36 for 272 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 1 sack – (0 yds loss), QBR 79.3
RB Darrell Henderson Jr. – 10 rushes for 47 yards, 1 TD
RB Cam Akers – 15 rushes for 44 yards.
Rams averaged 3.64 YPC

Week 3 – @ Arizona Cardinals

Joe Noteboom – 48 snaps, 1 penalty, 0 sacks allowed
David Edwards – 48 snaps, 0 penalties, 0 sacks allowed
Coleman Shelton – 48 snaps, 2 penalties, 0 sacks allowed
Alaric Jackson – 48 snaps, 1 penalty, 0 sacks allowed
*Rob Havenstein – 44 snaps, 0 penalties, 1 sack allowed
Bobby Evans – 4 snaps, 0 penalties, 0 sacks allowed.

Total September offensive snaps: 177
QB Matthew Stafford – 18 of 25 for 249 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 1 sack – (10 yds loss), QBR 65.0
RB Darrell Henderson Jr. – 4 rushes 17 yards
RB Cam Akers – 12 rushes for 61 yards and 1 TD
Rams averaged 5.00 YPC

Week 4 – @ San Francisco 49ers

Joe Noteboom –  74 snaps, 1 penalty, 2 sacks allowed
Bobby Evans – 74  snaps, 1 penalty, 1 sack allowed
Coleman Shelton – 16 snaps, 0 penalties, 1 sack allowed
Alaric Jackson – 74 snaps, 0 penalties, 0 sacks allowed
Rob Havenstein – 74 snaps, 0 penalties, 0 sacks allowed
Jeremiah Kolone – 58 snaps, 0 penalties, 0 sacks allowed

QB Matthew Stafford –  32 of 48 for 254 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 7 sacks – (54 yds loss), QBR 42.2
RB Darrell Henderson Jr. – 7 rushes 27 yards
RB Cam Akers – 8 rushes for 13 yards
Rams averaged 3.20 YPC

Okay, the game’s stats revealed that Matthew Stafford was sacked seven times, but the PFF statisticians only allocated four sacks to individual offensive linemen. So it’s back to reviewing and rewinding game footage.