Rams should depend on tight ends more than ever despite lackluster Week 1

The Los Angeles Rams predictably leaned on heavy personnel in their Week 1 loss to the 49ers, but it didn't create much production in the passing game. The offense as a whole was pitifully ineffective and managed seven points all game. 

That doesn't mean head coach Sean McVay should abandon his trademark emphasis on multiple-tight-end sets. 

To recap: Davis Allen led Rams tight ends with 13 receiving yards. Tyler Higbee had two catches and a costly fumble. All in all, the LA tight-end room recorded four catches on six targets for 31 yards. 

By contrast, the 2025 Rams averaged a touchdown and 66 yards per game from tight ends. Not a flattering comparison. 

But Los Angeles did get solid production from the ground game, thanks in part to loading the line of scrimmage with tight ends for additional blocking. Uncharacteristically, quarterback Matthew Stafford also struggled with his medium and deep-pass accuracy. 

The answer: rely on tight ends more, not less, in Week 2 against the Giants.

In tight ends the Rams must trust

The logic is simple: maintain the good (a strong rushing attack) while addressing the bad (Stafford's inability to connect with receivers downfield and, likewise, McVay's inability to scheme them open). 

Running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 95 rushing yards on 4.5 yards per carry, as well as LA's only score on a five-yard Williams plunge. The only problem was that, trailing by double digits for much of the second half, the Rams couldn't bleed away clock running the ball. Instead, Stafford was forced to try and fit pinpoint throws into tight windows, on a day he clearly didn't have it.

To be sure, Rams fans should expect positive regression from Stafford and the aerial attack. Thursday was literally his worst performance in four years: 15-of-25 for 155 yards and an interception. McVay doesn't need to treat No. 9 as though his arm has gone dead. Blasphemy.

But even the reigning MVP could use some help getting into a rhythm after being painfully out of sync in Week 1. Especially against a fierce Giants pass rush, drawing up some quick-hitters on short to medium throws to tight ends could grease the wheels for the entire offense while playing off a dynamic backfield duo that should be even more of a force as Corum ascends. 

In other words, the Rams need to feed tight ends a lot more than a mere six pass attempts. Breakout candidate Terrance Ferguson was targeted just once. If Puka Nacua or Davante Adams isn't going off for a big game, that's just not going to cut it.

Play off the run. Let Stafford and his receivers find a rhythm. Get something open downfield  - 49ers DBs wallpapered Rams wideouts all game - by exploiting short-area throws to Parkinson and Higbee. That should help Ferguson stretch the seams.

The more big bodies the better. Do we really think McVay won't go back to his tight ends? Ironically, maybe he just needs to use them even more.

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