The LA Rams offensive line is better than fans realize, and getting better

The LA Rams have won two game in a row, improving their record to 5-6. But this is not a random event or a coincidence. The Rams newfound success comes at the same time that the Rams have a healthy and stable offensive line. And this Rams offensive line is better than fans realize.

The Rams have won two consecutive games, yes. But over the past two games, since the BYE week, the Rams have allowed just one quarterback sack. The Rams rushing attack has run the football 60 times for 310 yards and two touchdowns in the past two games. So, this configuration of offensive linemen has been taking care of business in a big way.

The truth is that the Rams' offensive line has been performing admirably all season long. In 11 games, the Rams offensive line has only surrendered 22 quarterback sacks. That is good enough to be the sixth-ranked offensive line in the NFL. So what about running the football? The Rams are averaging 114.0 yards per game, good enough to be the 14th-ranked rushing offense in the NFL. But the Rams are averaging 4.3 yards per carry, which is actually a bit better, 12th-ranked, in the NFL.

Ignore grades that conflict with what the optics are for the team

What about rushing touchdowns? The LA Rams have 11 rushing touchdowns, good enough for 9th-best in the NFL in terms of scoring on the ground. So who are these offensive linemen? Let's revisit their performance so far. Well, to get a read on the Rams' performance this year, we turn to the grades awarded by Pro Football Focus through Week 11.

* denotes a contract that is severable in the final year stated in the data table.

The individual grades for the current starting five offensive linemen may not be the stuff that screams excellence, but keep in mind that the Rams offensive line has had a number of iterations this season. And an NFL team's offensive line is very dependant upon continuity.

Here is a sampling of PFF grades for LA Rams players in Week 12:

Know what PFF is grading

Now, keep in mind that PFF grades on all blocks attempted. The LA Rams left side of the offensive line is quite active in blocking at the line of scrimmage to break a running back free, and then acting like a convey to block downfield. That is why the LA Rams are so effective at running the football. So how do we know this? Thanks to NFL Savant, we have the Rams' effectiveness at running the football through Week 11.

As you can see from the above table, the Rams run most effectively behind center Colemen Shelton. But isn't Shelton one of the lower-graded offensive linemen? Yes. but PFF grades on all blocks. If you notice the Rams run the least effectively behind the right guard. Yet, Dotson is by far the highest-graded offensive lineman on the Rams roster.

Dotson is excellent at pass blocking, but the LA Rams understand that he is not nearly as effective in run blocking. The Rams love the run blocking of Shelton and teammate Steve Avila, which translates into 460 rushing yards in 10 games behind the left guard or center.

This current Rams offensive line is getting red hot at just the right time. In the past four games, the Rams offensive line has allowed just four quarterback sacks, and just one sack since the BYE. If the Rams are going to earn a playoff berth with a late season push, the offensive line has got to deliver performances just like that of Week 12.

While some fans await the Rams draft to elevate the bar for the offensive line, I am a bit more optimisiic. If this current group of offensive linemen stay healthy for the final six games, I believe that the Rams can win at least four of the final six games. Stay tuned.