Can the key to the LA Rams 2024 success be as simple as this?

Throughout the course of the NFL season, the LA Rams generate a statistician's career worth of data points, statistics, trends and correlations. And during and after the creation of so much data, one of the key's to diagnosing, summarizing, and understanding what just happened over the course of the season is to have a realistic and objective picture of what worked, and what didn't.

But that can be challenging. After all, did the number of beers sold at SoFi Stadium truly impact the outcome of the game? Did the color of the team's uniform on any given football game truly dictate the outcome of the game? Or are there simply some correlations between unrelated data points that never should be made?

And yet, they still are made.

But correlating data can cut to the chase in examining what worked for the Rams. We recently showcased an example of an intriguing correlation in how this underestimated player held such a significant role in the LA Rams offense's ability to get a runner over the 100+ yards per game threshold.

It is that type of information that is necessary to make the right type of decisions. But, there are plenty of data points to consider and a wide array of decisions that can be based on the trends from measuring those data points. But there is a rule that we should also mention here. That is the K.I.S.S. rule, and it goes like this: 'Keep It Simple, Stupid.'

When citing statistics, we tend to gravitate to the most complex measurements to represent what we want to say. But why not stick to simplicity? Such as? Well, the ability of Rams running back Kyren Williams to play and score a touchdown for one thing.

In 2023, Kyren Williams played in 12 games, rushed for 1,144 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. So what can we decipher from his 2023 performance? This:

Kyren Williams was a workhorse weapon for the team's offense in 2023, and the fact that his ability to score a touchdown trending with eight of the team's 10 wins in 2023 is really no surprise. Now, here's why:

As long as the team is gaining yards and putting up points by running the football, two positive things happen. The first positive result is the ability to pass more effectively. With a defense that must thing run first, a veteran quarterback like Matthew Stafford can pick a secondary apart.

But the second positive trend is that running the football grinds down the clock, and keeps the defense refreshed. A rested defense is that much more effective, and it helps them make stops and get the football back to the offense.

The front office clearly is on top of this trend, leading to the team to draft the quite capable rookie running back Blake Corum. If the team's success in 2023 depended on RB Kyren WIlliams playing and scoring, can the team find similar success by playing either Blake Corum and Kyren Williams, and one of the two running backs scoring?

It's certainly worth a shot.

As always, thanks for readi