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Former NFL Safety Trashes LA Rams ‘One-Dimensional’ Offense

By James Dudko

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 09: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams scrambles as Leighton Vander Esch #55 of the Dallas Cowboys attempts to make the sack during an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 09: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams scrambles as Leighton Vander Esch #55 of the Dallas Cowboys attempts to make the sack during an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Near-sighted offensive playbook

If the Rams get stuck in a losing tailspin, the pattern has historically been trying to pass their offense through the choppy performance and emerge with success. But after multiple losses, and only after multiple losses, the Rams appear to step back and accept that the plays are not working. Then, and only then, the team reworks the offense.

The Rams’ play-calling in Week 4 and Week 5 was “short-sighted” at best:

McVay is never shy about leaning on his quarterback, but his scheme is at its most effective when the ground game clicks. Outside zone-stretch running and play-action passing form the foundation of the McVay playbook.

6 Panthers that the LA Rams should trade for who are not named Christian McCaffrey. light. Hot

Options not taken

Neither of those things can work while the Rams averaged a measly 3.2 yards per rush. It’s not as if McVay doesn’t have options to choose from, but a workhorse is yet to emerge from the trio of Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson, and Malcolm Brown. Just to be clear, RB Malcolm Brown has yet to carry the football for the Rams’ offense.

McVay has tried to add a new wrinkle to the rushing schemes by turning wide receiver Ben Skowronek into a fullback. Skowronek’s wide-back role is something different, but the fresh look isn’t being given enough chances to help create holes to help the ground game.

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