Even at 2.3 YPC, 3 reasons why LA Rams rushing attack was brutally effective

Over the years, the value of running backs in the NFL has eroded to the point where even the most accomplished stars in that position struggled to find a team to play for or a contract with the price they want to play. Perhaps the LA Rams contributed to that trend by winning Super Bowl LVI with next to nothing out of the ground game.

Since the 2018 NFL season, the LA Rams ground game has been less excellent and more satisfactory to needs improvement. In 2020, the Rams had a satisfactory rushing attack, but it required a blend of rookie RB Cam Akers, second-year RB Darrell Henderson Jr., and veteran RB Malcolm Brown.

The LA Rams rushing attack did not seem to be very effective in Week 1. The Rams rushed 40 times for just 92 yards, which works out to a statistically disappointing 2.3 yards per run. But that's the difference between the prevalence of Data Analytics versus the analog measures of success. What do I mean?

Rams rushed for more yards than Seahawks

Let's boil it down, To start, we should carve out the three runs by Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford for 11 yards. That gives the Rams 37 carries for 81 yards on the ground. Following the same methodology, the Seattle Seahawks ran 18 times for 85 yards with QB Geno Smith, but 17 times for 79 yards without him.

The Rams put up 81 rushing yards to the Seahawks 79 rushing yards. Nobody thought that would happen in this one. The Rams running offense is simply not respected, particularly in a head to head comparison to the Seahawks ground game. But perhaps more than that, nobody expected this Rams defensive front to hold the Seahawks entire rushing offense to under 100 yards on the ground, let alone Seahawks leading rusher Kenneth Walker III to under 70 rushing yards in this one.

Don't overlook the fact that the LA Rams switched to their rushing offense with 3:16 left in the game. Over that last drive (which resulted in the LA Rams scoring on a field goal), the Rams rushed RB Cam Akers eight times for a total of seven yards. But during that series, the Rams were able to get the Seahawks defense on two encroachment penalties and one unnecessary roughness penalty.

That was an effective offensive possession, taking over three minutes off the clock and leaving the Seahawks with just 11 seconds to go in the game. And the Rams put up three points, to nail the outcome of the game.

LA Rams rushing attack was brutally effective for these reasons:

1. III: LA Rams dominated the Time of Possession
2. II: Defense remained fresh throughout the game
3. I: Red Zone excellence

III: LA Rams dominated the Time of Possession

There are two statistics that are easily ignored in the NFL, but either of which can have a devastatingly huge impact on the outcome of the game. The first is net turnovers. Teams that create turnovers tend to win games. Teams that give the football away - either by interception or fumble - tend to lose football games. In this one, the LA Rams did not create turnovers. But surprisingly the Rams offense did not give the football away, either.

The other statistic that wins games is even more basic: Time of Possession. It's basic in that as long as the LA Rams offense has the ball, they are the most likely team to score. Better yet, it gives the defensive time to relax, rest, and analyze what their opponent is trying to do when they have the football. And that is exactly where the Rams' hard work this offseason was on full display.

Rams controlled the football with a 2:1 advantage

By the time that the final whistle blew, the LA Rams has dominated the Seattle Seahawks in Time of Possession. It's easier to show that comparison in a data table below:

• Time Of Possession
• LA Rams - 39:23
• Seattle Seahawks - 20:37

While the clock will continue to move on successful pass completions that remain inbounds, the best way to keep that thing moving is to pull up your bootstraps and just run the football. And that is exactly what the LA Rams did in this one. While it was not pretty, it was effective.

The Rams passing game was particularly effective because the Rams were willing to mix in the run. Out of 78 offensive plays, the Rams ran the football 40 times and passed the football 38 times. While that distribution was clearly possible due to the game circumstances, it continues to showcase how even a fizzling running attack can help the overall team to sizzle.

TOP was 2:1. Final score was 2:1. I don't think that is a mere coincidence.

II: Defense remained fresh throughout the game

The LA Rams entered Week 1 with a young, inexperienced, and untested defense. With the exception of some veteran players scattered throughout the Rams roster, this team is built on youth. All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald, veteran inside linebacker, and safety Jordan Fuller are the three main performers on the Rams defense with any meaningful experience and credibility.

And yet, after allowing 13 points and 185 yards in the first half, the Rams defense came out in the second half and absolutely shut down the Seattle Seahawks offense in the second half. The Seahawks offense gained just 12 yards and no points in the second half.

Rams D remained fresh

With the LA Rams offense running the football and taking so much time off the clock, the Rams defense truly had the chance to catch their breath and recharge between possessions. In the afternoon, the Rams offense assembled eight backbreaking drives that did not result in a punt. They were:

1. Drive 1 - 16 plays. 75 yards. 9:13 used off the clock. Touchdown
2. Drive 2 - 7 plays, 37 yards. 2:33 used off the clock. Blocked FG
3. Drive 3 - 6 plays, 33 yards, 0:31 used off the clock. Missed FG. Halftime
4. Drive 4 - 10 plays, 76 yards. 6:04 used off the clock. Touchdown
5. Drive 5 - 9 plays, 60 yards. 5:14 used off the clock. Field Goal
6. Drive 6 - 14 plays, 79 yards. 6:19 used off the clock. Touchdown
7. Drive 7 - 9 plays, 40 yards. 4:12 used off the clock. Field Goal
8. Drive 8 - 9 plays, 32 yards. 3:05 used off the clock. Field Goal.

The Rams offense was able to orchestrate three separate drives in the game that consumed 10+ plays and over 6:00+ minutes off the clock. Those long time-consuming drives with the Rams offense on the football field translated into the Rams defense not being on the football field.

I: Red Zone excellence

Even if the LA Rams rushed 10 times for 10 yards, if those 10 rushes translated into 10 touchdowns, there would be no question over the LA Rams ability to run with the football. While the Rams did not score ten touchdowns on the afternoon, the Rams Red Zone efficiency was overwhelmingly effective.

In three red zone appearances, the LA Rams offense walked away with 21 points. And those touchdowns did not come from the passing arm of Matthew Stafford. Rather, the Rams dug down deep and ran it into the end zone on three occasions.

• Red Zone I - The first touchdown scored was a one-yard plunge behind rookie left guard Steve Avila by Rams RB Kyren Williams with 39 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
• Red Zone II - The second touchdown scored was a seven yard scamper behind rookie left guard Steve Avila by Rams RB Kyren Williams with 8:56 remaining in the third quarter
• Red Zone III - The third and final touchdown scored was a one yard run around the left end by RB Cam Akers (untouched) with 9:45 remaining in the game.

I understand that with the popularity of NFL Fantasy Football, NFL fans have slowly migrated from gametime stats that help teams to win games to a more FF-centric focus to gametime stats that help Fantasy Football teams win games. From a Fantasy Football perspective, the LA Rams running backs were not that good:

1. Kyren Williams - 52 yards, 2 TDs, 0 receptions - 17.2 points
2. Cam Akers - 29 yards, 1 TD, 0 receptions - 8.9 points
3. Tutu Atwell - 6 receptions, 119 yards, 0 TDs - 17.9 points
4. Puka Nacua - 10 receptions, 119 yards, 0 TDs - 21.9 points
5. Brett Maher - 3/5 FG, 3/3XPts - 12 points

In summary, the LA Rams were not able to get a 100+ yard performance out of RB Cam Akers. Based on the effectiveness of the Rams passing attack, it seems obvious that the Seahawks defense game planned to shut down the Rams running backs in this one.

And yet, when the endzone was within reach, those same Rams running backs couldn't be denied.

How do you measure 'success,' from a ground attack? Do you limit your attaboys to runners who run for 100+ yards in a game? Or do you step back and assess a three touchdown performance on the ground as a successful rushing offense?

The LA Rams offense successfully put up 300+ yards through the air, and three touchdowns on the ground. I'd call that a successful effort, no matter how you slice it.