Rams abandoned the run to go down on sinking offensive ship in Week 13

Cheering for the 9-3 Los Angeles Rams can be frustrating at times. Sometimes, the most obvious strategies seem completely oblivious to the coaching staff. And so it goes that the offense, despite discovering a life raft early in this one, opted to abandon successful but conservative tactics.

This was a game that screamed gearing down and sticking with a ground assault. Even before kickoff, the running back duo of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum created problems for the Carolina Panthers. And the Panthers, fresh off a heartbreaking loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, were not to be taken lightly.

Despite what fans witnessed on the football field, this was a game that Los Angeles could have won, and should have. The Panthers made all the plays necessary and stuck to a game-winning script. But even moments after the game, LA fans had every right to question strategy in this one.

The Rams rushed 20 times for 153 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers rushed 35 times for 141 yards. And yet, the Panthers won the game. So, let's dive a bit deeper into a game lost by three points on the final scoreboard, but was doomed for the visiting team from the opening kickoff

Rams running backs were the unsung heroes in Week 13

From the opening scoring drive by LA's offense, the stage was set. The offense took over on the Carolina Panthers 35-yard line. One run for four yards, and five passes for 31 yards opened the game with a touchdown.

Two things happened in that opening drive that would prove fatal for the Yellow and Blue. The score was easy, a quick touchdown that took less than three minutes. And the ease of scoring pinned false confidence on the offense over the ability to pass at will.

5 passes 1 run | Rams 7 Panthers 0

The next offensive drive began on the 32-yard line. One run for 13 yards was followed by two passes for 37 yards. Another run for six yards was followed by three more passes; the final pass was an interception by former Rams safety Nick Scott in the end zone.

10 passes 3 runs 1 interception | Rams 7 Panthers 7

The next offensive drive found the offense moving the football on the ground effectively once more. Two runs for 13 yards, followed by two passes that culminated in a pick-six

12 passes 5 runs 2 interceptions | Rams 7 Panthers 14

By this point in the game, the offense had scored one touchdown, had given up a touchdown, and had wiped an almost certain touchdown off the scoreboard with an ill-fated interception. Sadly, the rushing attack was effective, consumed the game clock, and lifted the burden from the nearly flawless Matthew Stafford to play flawlessly.

Ultimately, the Panthers stuck to a running game to keep the football out of Stafford's hands. And when he had the football, they overloaded to defend the pass. How else can you explain a rushing attack that averaged 7.65 yards per carry? And yet, the strategy never adjusted. By the time coaches realized the flaws in the game plan,

Even with the game on the line and the offense in the red zone, the team flipped to the pass, resulting in a penalty and then a strip sack. There were multiple occasions for the team to run the football effectively, but it didn't.

In the end, the offense abandoned the ground game and placed all of its chips on passing for the win. That gamble pays off more often than not. But in Week 13, the Panthers' pass defense was ready for Stafford. As a result, this was a loss that could have been avoided.

As always, thanks for reading.