4 bold predictions for Rams in Week 11 against the Patriots

Bold Prediction 3 - 12 personnel more than 10% of offense

How long must we beat this drum? The Rams win games when they lean on their 12-personnel package, and lose when they do not. And nobody needs a press pass, an exclusive one-on-one interview with Rams GM Les Snead or HC Sean McVay to find evidence of that. It's history and means that it is there for anyone and everyone to see.

So why are the Rams not deploying two tight ends at least 15 percent of the time in every game? That is an excellent question. And that is why we continue to beat the drums for more 12-personnel in the offensive game plan.

The Rams roster is built to support more two tight end plays. That is why this team has six tight ends scattered on various rosters, and four running backs on the active roster. Off season strategy and decisions clearly focused on putting the game into the hands of a rushing offense in 2024. Has that happened? The Rams have attempted 323 passes to only 225 rushes, with an offensive balance that is 59 percent pass.

So in a word? No. After all, keep in mind that while Matthew Stafford has played every offensive snap, this team has had just four games from WR Puka Nacua and five games out of Cooper Kupp so far this season. So you might have expected the team to lean into two tight ends and a more robust zeal for running the football.

I think that the Rams give it a go in Week 11. Stafford was hammered in Week 10 by a relentless Miami Dolphins that seemed to find a way to drop him on every pass play. No flags (are there ever when defenders aggressively take liberties with Stafford?) were thrown. With the standard protection for the quarterback from the regulations that almost all quarterbacks enjoy, the offense must do a better job of preserving Stafford this week.

Two tight ends are the answer.