Latest data on LA Rams confirms what we’ve suspected . . .

Poor strategy camouflaged by incessant injuries

So how is it that the Rams pass more often in a losing effort, but have fewer yards and fewer passing touchdowns? All the while, what can you conclude about the lack of runs showing a steep decline as well? The Rams have passed into the NFL’s toughest passing defenses. In fact, the Rams have faced three of the NFL’s toughest pass defenses four times this season, and the game plan did not modify one inch. The Rams passed the football.

The Rams defeated the Arizona Cardinals in their first matchup. In that victory, the Rams rushed 20 times for 100 yards, 16 rushes by the running backs, and scored two rushing touchdowns while completing 18 of 25 passes for 239 net passing yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions.

In the rematch, with the LA Rams starting backup quarterback John Wolford, the Rams rushed 20 times for 67 yards and one touchdown, with only 13 rushes by the running backs. The Rams opted instead to throw the football, completing 25 of 37 passes for 190 net passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Same teams. Different strategies and completely different outcomes. The Rams’ insistence to pass pass pass not only retards the ability to get their rushing on track, but the results are clear: When defenses do not respect the Rams play action passing, the Rams passing effectiveness suffers dramatically.

Now I’m not saying that the game situations were identical. They were anything but identical. But if you had to pick from the two games: One starting quarterback being Matthew Stafford, and one starting quarterback being John Wolford, which game would you have guessed to have 25 passes and two rushing touchdowns, and which game would you have guessed would have 37 passes?