An honest look at the LA Rams struggles so far in 2022

After an excruciating 22-10 loss at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys, the LA Rams sit at a 2-3 record after five games for the first time in the Sean McVay era. The last time this was the case, our beloved Rams were competing in St. Louis, Missouri.

Not only that, but this is also only the second time that the Rams’ McVay has been under .500 in his career. Ironically, the first occured during the team’s 0-1 record after losing the opener to the Buffalo Bills.

Now, this is not an article coming for the head of the Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean McVay, who boasts a 62-29 career record at the young age of 36. Instead, this is about a team that five weeks into the season has struggled to establish any type of identity.

Same old, same old

McVay and the Rams have made a name for themselves on innovative play calling, executing in an efficient manner, and winning a lot of football games. Instead, we are looking at an offense that simply cannot execute and is as predictable of an offense as Rams fans have seen since 2016.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the football, the defense that is known for getting to the passer and creating turnovers is allowing long drives and big plays. Of course, the defense remains the shiny surface of a rapidly tarnished team.

With a team that has the likes of quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Cooper Kupp, defensive lineman Aaron Donald and defensive back Jalen Ramsey, Rams fans have just one question. What in the world is going on?

Injuries and bad play plagued the offensive line

In the offseason, the LA Rams front office did what they thought they needed to do to address their offensive line. After the retirement of 40-year-old left tackle Andrew Whitworth, the Rams extended tackle Joe Noteboom to a three-year contract worth $40 million.

The Rams also extended center Brian Allen on an $18 million deal over three years. Add in the extension for backup center turned-starting offensive guard Coleman Shelton and the addition of rookie offensive lineman Logan Bruss in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Rams figured their offensive line was ready to go for the 2022 season.

However, the usually resilient Rams have been completely showered with injuries to their group up front. Against the Dallas Cowboys, the Rams rolled out their fifth different lineup among the offensive line in as many games. Starting center Allen has been out of the lineup with a knee injury after Week 1. RG/OC Coleman Shelton was recently placed on IR following an ankle injury against San Francisco in Week 4. LG David Edwards has been placed BACK into concussion protocol after Week 5, after being placed on and cleared of the NFL concussion protocol after Week 4.

Nightmare in Inglewood

Throw in backup OG Tremayne Anchrum’s injury in Week 2, and you have what you would call a nightmare taking place right now on the Rams roster. With all the IOL injuries, the Rams’ two tackles haven’t been exactly stellar. LT Joe Noteboom currently holds a 65.8 Pro Football Focus grade and has given up a league-leading five sacks. RT Rob Havenstein has graded out at 63.8 according to Pro Football Focus, with three sacks given up so far this year. Not exactly great play from guys who the Rams were confident enough to give contract extensions before the season.

The Rams came into the season hoping to be able to spread teams out and go five wide, but the play of their OL simply hasn’t allowed them to do so. Perhaps once they get back healthy, we’re having a different conversation in November. As it stands now, the OL is the biggest catalyst in holding back the Rams’ offense.

Cooper Kupp, and who else?

So far on the season, LA Rams WR Cooper Kupp has accumulated 49 catches for 527 yards and 4 touchdowns. He could very well be in contention for another triple crown by the season’s end. However, Cooper Kupp is the only thing that this Rams offense has to hang its hat on. Rams QB Matthew Stafford seems to have two reads on most plays so far this year. Kupp, Higbee, and then the turf.

The acquisition of former Chicago Bears WR Allen Robinson was supposed to help take a ton of pressure off of Kupp. Instead, saying he has been an afterthought in this offense so far would be an understatement. He has tallied just 12 catches this season for a woeful 107 yards with a lone score.

The lack of a second threat has allowed defenses to key in on Cooper Kupp more than they normally would. He is an all-world talent, so of course, he is going to make his plays on the field. But with the other receivers unable of taking advantage of their one on ones, Kupp’s production can only do so much for the team. Outside of TE Tyler Higbee, WR Ben Skowronek has been the most consistent target not named Cooper Kupp. Skow has made some integral improvements this season, but he is not someone who is going to take the top off of defenses.

Running on empty

So how about that run game? In the team’s Week 5  loss, the Rams ran the football for a total of 38 yards on 15 attempts. It seems that Rams RB Cam Akers has supplanted RB Darrell Henderson as the starting running back for this football team.

However, he has not been very productive in doing so. With a 13-carry 33-yard performance against Dallas, fans and media alike are left scratching their heads. RB Darrell Henderson has seemed like the better running back so far this season, yet he isn’t getting anywhere near the volume that Akers is.

Henderson is averaging 4.1 yards per run, while Akers has only been averaging 3.0 yards per run. McVay might be holding onto what we saw from Akers in 2020, but he is lacking the ability to create more than what the run is blocked for. It may be time to get Henderson in there more often.

Even more troubling is the fact that the LA Rams re-signed veteran RB Malcolm Brown who has suited up for two games for the LA Rams so far, but who has yet to carry the football. He is a punishing-style of runner who could play well with the Rams’ current blocking limitations. But he cannot gain yards without the football.

Where do the Rams go from here?

From this point forward, I believe you will see a new mindset from LA Rams head coach Sean McVay, a mindset that is focused on becoming a much more honest and realistic play caller. We witnessed that 2019 transformation when he proved his ability to adapt to the condition of his roster and call plays accordingly.

After the Week 5 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, McVay did not seem very happy in his press conference.  If the past indicates anything, an unhappy McVay will make some changes to this team very soon.

Hang on, help and health are on their way!

Look for this to include ways to get Allen Robinson involved in ball games, as his 50-50 ball skills and good release off the line have to account for something with his football team. Also, expect this to call for creative ways to take pressure off the big guys up front and develop more time for Matthew Stafford to distribute the football.

As far as injuries go, the Rams are hopeful to get healthy as soon as possible. C Brian Allen may be available after the week 7 bye, and they may have an update on David Edwards as well. DB David Long is still recovering from a groin injury, as well as DB Cobie Durant with an ailing hamstring. There is sure to be an update on their status, as well as Troy Hill who was placed on IR after week 2.

As the LA Rams begin to get healthy, they will also be able to get more innovative and effective. Their Week 7 BYE week will go a long way in giving the Rams roster a chance to rest and heal up after a brutal start to the 2022 NFL season, but first, the Rams will look to even up their record at 3-3 this week against the Carolina Panthers.