How did they do it? Grading the LA Rams Week 1 Performance

Rushing offense

Unfortunately, the Rams rushing game was on the opposite end of the spectrum from the passing game for the Rams despite all their touchdowns coming on the ground. While Kyren Williams (2 TDs) and Cam Akers (1 TD) combined for 3 total touchdowns, they only combined for 81 rushing yards at an average of 2.2 yards per carry.

Of the two backs, Kyren Williams had the better game, and appears he could dethrone Akers as the feature running back. Needless to say, the offensive line was unable to create holes for either runnier and did not hold their blocks long enough for either back to break free.

Luckily, they did enough to allow both Rams running backs to get into the endzone on three occasions. On those three scores, it was no conincidence that the Rams ran behind rookie left guard Steve Avila.

The most notable miss by the OL occured when they let Seahawks veteran ILB Bobby Wagner shoot through the gap untouched to blow up the play for negative yards. Finally, the Rams offensive line was guilty of several huge penalties, including a facemask call on left tackle Alaric Jackson.  This is the Rams' biggest area for improvement on the offensive side of the ball. Another key to the Rams' offense being so effective was their third down conversion rate. The Rams were 11-17 on third downs which helped keep drives alive and win the possession battle.

Rushing Grade: C

I give the Rams' overall offense an A- grade against the Seahawks despite Rams placekicker Brett Maher missing his first two field goals of the game.

Offense Grade: A-

Secondary

The Rams defensive backs were their biggest strength going into the Week 1 matchup and it showed. Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Geno Smith was held to just 112 passing yards with 1 TD and his longest pass only went for 28 yards. There really isn’t much to say about this unit, not because they didn’t perform well, but because they performed exceptionally well. There were no big plays to speak of, but it is evident that their coverage was so superior that the unit as a whole just seemed quiet from how well they covered the Seattle receivers.

Secondary Grade: A-

Linebackers

The second layer of the Rams defense was by far the weakest area for the team today. When Geno Smith did find success throwing the ball, it was on medium routes in open space where the Rams linebackers were covering. I was really surprised that Seahawks head coach Pete Carrol didn’t try to take advantage of that weakness more often because that could have resulted in Seattle scoring a lot more points.

Luckily, the Rams defensive front started getting pressure on Geno Smith later in the game which is likely the reason the linebackers didn’t get beat more often. I can’t forget to mention that fans were also confused when outside linebacker Michael Hoecht lined up in man coverage across from Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf on a couple of plays. I’m not sure what Rams Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris was thinking with that coverage, but the Rams are lucky the worst thing that came from that was a pass interference call on Hoecht.

Linebacker Grade: C