Why 9 winners and 4 losers from Rams victory could start 2nd winning streak

Ah yes. The Monday after an LA Rams victory always seems to hold more robust coffee, sweeter sounds from the music playing on my radio, and a chortle that resists being squelched no matter what local, national, or international news throws at it. But it's also an opportunity to reflect. A chance to catch our collective breath, pause, and ponder.

Lessons in life can be costly. Sometimes quite costly. But those lessons can also provide incredible opportunities to learn, to grow, to gain experience, and to notate how to avoid similar challenges in the future. That only happens if we stop, look, and listen.

While the Rams did win in Week 11, the team struggled to take and then retain the lead. While that may sound the alarm for some fans, it's just standard professional football. The team has some coachable moments along with heroics. And that is why it's a wise idea to pause and look over what the team did.

Are you disappointed in a player, or a group on this team? If so, is that a matter of poor performance or setting expectations too high? And what is the best solution going forward. Similarly, are you pleased with a player, or a group on this team? Did they truly deserve laud and praise after an impressive NFL performance? Of did we simply get a performance that was better than expected?

It's ironic that the same performance can be exciting for one fan, but rejected by another. So let's try to assess the team's Week 11 performance, and see if we can apply a more objective standard to assess production on the football field.

Losers

The term losers has a variety of connotations that may or may not convey my intended meaning. But the general use of the contrast between winners and losers does frame a list of players (or groups) that either exceed or fail to meet expectations. So who failed to meet expectations?

(4) - Rams secondary

There are stars from the group. And there are some who are not so great. But the group as a whole is certainly not achieving expectations. But is this a matter of a poorly performing secondary, or a matter of overly optimistic expectations?

For that answer, I have to turn to an NFL expert and analyst, former Rams legendary quarterback Kurt Warner, who broke down New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye almost immediately after the game. And it's quite clear that Maye had one of his best single game performances of his young NFL season and career:

The Rams secondary is rather familiar with allowing superb performances to rookies and young offensive skill players this season. So it's not a sudden symptom of an injured player or even a matter of confusion or miscommunication. The Rams started CB Darious Williams and Cobie Durant, rotated in Ahkello Witherspoon for specific sub packages, and rounded out the team's secondary with a combination of four safeties.

The Rams had already traded veteran CB Tre'Davious White for next to nothing. But he is not the only veteran cornerback who has not met his career averages in the secondary. The Rams free agent signings of both Ahkello Witherspoon and Darious Williams have landed veterans who have yet to play up to their own career norms.

And it's Week 12 coming up.

(3) - K Joshua Karty

The LA Rams fanbase has developed a love-hate relationship with their rookie kicker Joshua Karty, and after missing a chip shot in Week 11, the sentiment is back to bordering on hate. Unfortunately, there is more to comprehend here.

Let's start with the game itself, and the impact of missing the field goal. The Rams won the game. Yes, the miss may have altered the team's strategy in the game in real time. But the gaffe did not lose the game. So what are the fans so angry about? Some had even become so wrapped up in angst and vitriol that they began to criticize th margin of error of his four successful extra points kicked in the game.

A placekicker in the NFL has a binary result. It's either good or no good. There are no style points awarded for picture perfect kicks, kicks that have plenty of leg that exceeds the distance required to kick, or kicks that hit a crossbar but go in. It's either good or no good.

This is rookie K Joshua Karty's first season in the NFL. And rookie kickers are always inconsistent. While fans may not give him credit for doing so, ST Coordinator Chase Blackburn anticipated the challenges of a rookie kicker by signing last year's kicker Tanner Brown to compete for the job in training camp

Still not convinced? Let's break down some rookie kickers you may recall and their rookie seasons:

• K Matt Gay - FGM 27 of 35 (77.1%) | Xpt 43 of 48 (89.6%)
• K Greg Zuerlein - FGM 23 of 32 (74.2%) | Xpt 26 of 26 (100%)
• K Joshua Karty - FGM 16 of 20 (80%) | Xpt 19 of 21 (90.5%)
• 49ers K Jake Moody - FGM 21 of 25 (84%) | Xpt 60 of 61 (98.4%)
• 2024 Ravens K Justin Tucker - FGM 16 of 22 (72.7%) | Xpt 38 of 39 (92.9%)

So how poorly is Karty actually performing in 2024? Based on the data above, he is well within the norms of outstanding NFL kickers. He is even outperforming Baltimore Ravens veteran kicker Justin Tucker. While some Rams fans may be angry and disappointed, the disappointment is due to overly optimistic expectations. Karty is doing well for a rookie kicker. And if he continues to adhere to the growth trend of NFL kickers, he will be awesome in 2025.

(2) - IOL Jonah Jackson

The Rams foray into the 2024 NFL Free Agency market certainly did not yield the results many fans, coaches, and personnel executives hoped for. The team did not hesitate to spend money with what appeared to be an extensive plan to bolster the team's physicality on offense, and the the defensive secondary. But when the team pivoted from extending former center Coleman Shelton to sign former Detroit Lions' free agent IOL Jonah Jackson, the machinery was set in place to reconfiguring the starting offensive line.

A process that continues through Week 11.

The problem is that Jonah Jackson's natural position is left guard. And as it just so happens, that is the position that second-year IOL Steve Avila mastered in his rookie season. So the team opted to move Avila to center to clear a space for Jackson. But after left tackle Alaric Jackson was injured and suspended for two games, the team opted to restore Avila to left guard, and trial Jackson at center. And then, both Avila and Jackson fell to injury.

Rookie center Beaux Limmer stepped in, and he has played very well. When both Avila and Jonah Jackson returned from IR, Limmer was benched and Jackson took over at center. But Stafford stuggled with a new center. In Week 11, the Rams autocorrected, restoring Limmer to center and benching Jonah Jackson.

The thing is, Jackson has started just three of 10 games. He is unlikely to start another game this season (barring unforeseen injuries). Worst of all, he is earning $51 million over three seasons to sit on the bench.

The front office did get more physical at the center position. But it was not due to veteran Jonah Jackson, who appears to be a veteran who will need to renegotiate his contract or risk ending his relationship with the Rams at season's end.

(1) - OT Joe Noteboom

Once projected to assume the starting role for the team at left tackle, Joe Noteboom has shrunk in both production and value to the team. He is an NFL player who simply has struggled with durability throughout his career. While the team has found a niche role for Noteboom after turning to OT Alaric Jackson to start as the team's left tackle, the need to be ready to perform as teammates fall to injury remains.

While the frequency to suit up diminished, the importance of his availability to step in increased proportionately. And for a while, an equilibrium was establish that seemed to last through the 2023 NFL season.

But durability has reared its ugly head once more for Noteboom. He was injured in Week 1 as he was staring in place of suspended teammate Alaric Jackson, forcing the team to replace him with untested and inexperienced teammate A.J. Arcuri at left tackle. He would return to start for injured right tackle Rob Havenstein in Week 10. He would suffer another injury after the game, and be unavailable for Week 11.

In both outings, Noteboom was ineffective. In just 97 offensive snaps this season, he has allowed two quarterback sacks. His contract expires at the end of the 2024 NFL season. But the likelihood of his return is fading fast. The team has successfully developed offensive tackle Warren McClendon into a player who could slide in at either offensive tackle position. Perhaps more importantly, Noteboom's injury history makes him a high-risk low-reward player.

Winners

Okay, so we've named the players who have fallen shy of expectations for Week 11. So it's only fair to pivot to the positive. And fans will be delighted to learn that this team has far more who deserve a round of applause than not. As is the case with any post-game list, we do not profess to have the definitive exhaustive list. But over the course of the games, these players stood out.

Sometimes their performance warranted identifying for a specific play. Sometimes it was due to a solid performance. But other players are called out because their performance was so good that they didn't get called out. How can that be? You'll know why as so as we turn to the first player on this list.

(9) - C Beaux Limmer

Rookie center Beaux Limmer makes the list because he returned to the starting line after just one week's absence. Fortunately for both the team and Limmer, he returned to form as an outstanding blocker for the team. And as the guy who calls the blocking scheme, he led the team to another no-sack performance.

It was the team's third no-sack performance, a feat that coincides with three of four wins since the Rams Week 6 BYE. It's pretty clear that to get an optimal performance on offense, the offensive line must protect QB Matthew Stafford. And for the past three games starting rookie center Beaux Limmer, that is exactly what the offensive line has done.

(8) - OT Warren McClendon

I cannot mention offensive linemen in this list without calling out backup offensive tackle Warren McClendon. While he has struggled at times, this former Georgia Bulldog offensive tackle did not allow a quarterback sack. While he has appeared in special teams throughout the season, this was his third start at offensive tackle. And as it just so happens, this was his best performance yet.

Even as Noteboom has struggled with on-field production and brittleness, McClendon has grown in the opposite direction. He seems to be showing in larger in games, and is durability is not a question. He was injured in Week 1, but suited up and started in Week 2 as well. With Beaux Limmer shocking the Rams coaching staff by staking a compelling claim to the center role, McClendon is emerging as the natural successor to veteran RT Rob Havenstein.

This was a huge step in the right direction for McClendon, and happened at a perfect time for his status as a swing tackle/ successor starting offensive tackle in 2025.

(7) - DB Kamren Kinchens

Okay, now we are starting to get into the more thrilling aspects of Week 11 heroics. The first player to be recognized for his appearance on my virtual Week 11 highlight reel is rookie defensive back Kamren Kinchens. He is a rookie out of the University of Miami, and was noted as a ball-hawking safety with good instincts in pass coverage.

Much like the selection of former Arkansas center Beaux Limmer, we loved Kinchens fit and upside with the team. While the Rams' secondary appeared to be bursting with talent at the safety position, Kinchens penchant for snagging the football out of the air and turning it back over to the offense was something that the Rams' front office and newly hired Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula desperately sought to infuse into the 2024 defensive DNA.

And Kinchens seems to have gotten the memo:

While he is still learning the pace and physicality of the NFL, he has accounted for three interceptions already in just 218 defensive snaps. Much like undrafted rookie teammate Jaylen McCollough, Kinchens opportunistic style of play has resulted in one pick-six, 112 yards after intercepting passes, and a style of defense that makes quarterbacks pay for mistakes.

He has not perfected his coverage technique just yet. While he has broken up three passes and snagged three interceptions, he has allowed a completion rate of 69.2 percent of the passes targeting his receiver. And he has allowed three touchdowns this season.

But it was his interception that sealed a win for the Rams in Week 11. And with that pick, he is rapidly growing in stature and respect in NFL circles.

(6) - TE Colby Parkinson

The LA Rams have struggled to get market value out of their 2024 free agent signings. One of the more disappointing players so far this season has been former Seattle Seahawks free agent tight end Colby Parkinson. To address the absence of starting TE Tyler Higbee due to injury, the front office inked Parkinson to a multi-year deal with a value that exceeded a backup tight end role.

Through nine games, Parkinson had hauled in 23 of 36 passes for 214 yards. Those numbers are not very impressive, even for a backup.

One of the niche roles anticipated for Parkinson was his proficiency to score in the Red Zone, an area that was a glaring weakness in the Wild Card Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs. Unfortunately, Parkinson had not scored in nine games.

He did in Week 10:

Did the dam break?

That is the hope. And there are sound reasons to expect more where that came from. Parkinson, once the primary tight end in this offense, has been losing offensive snaps to Hunter Long and Davis Allen of late. That should change going forward.

Making the most of opportunities in the Rams offense is a sure-fire way to ensure more opportunities. In Week 11, Parkinson caught his only target, a 19-yard touchdown from Matthew Stafford. With his scoring drought over, the Rams are likely to get him more involved in the offense going forward.

(5) - OLB Byron Young

While not yet competing among the NFL leaders at sacking the quarterback, the fact that second-year outside linebacker leads the Rams in that category is an impressive feat unto itself. The team boasts five players on the roster who have at least 3.0 quarterback sacks after ten games. And at the current rate of bringing down opposing quarterbacks, the Top 5 defenders on the roster could be pushing 6.0 sacks by mid-December.

Young has a streak of at least 1.0+ quarterback sack per game over the last four games. His 6.0 quarterback sacks leads the team, and he is playing fewer defensive snaps than a year ago. He averaged over 90 percent of defensive snaps one year ago, He is clocking in at a pace of approximately 81 percent this season. His Week 11 sack came late in the game, at a time that proved to be a true turning point for the game momentum.

(4) - QB Matthew Stafford

It's ironic that veteran QB Matthew Stafford has been so inconsistent so far this season. Unlike other seasons in which he was steady-freddie no matter who he was throwing to or how solid or porous the blocking, Stafford seems to be very sensitive to external factors in 2024. And I don't see that changing dramatically for the foreseeable future.

Stafford loves throwing to his new best friend, wide receiver Puka Nacua. And after Week 11, it's obvious why. He also loves throwing to his long-terms best friend, wide receiver Cooper Kupp. And after throwing for over 100 yards to each, and three passing touchdowns combined, Stafford appeared to be prime-time Stafford once again. Prior to the game, Stafford had thrown for only nine touchdowns with seven interceptions. But after a four-touchdown zero-interceptions performance, he has improved to 13 touchdowns to seven interceptions.

While not quite 'there,' just yet, it's certainly a huge step in the right direction.

(3) - WR Puka Nacua

Before Week 11, the only non-defenders to score a touchdown for the Rams offense were RB Kyren Williams, WR Cooper Kupp, an WR Demarcus Robinson. After Week 11, you can pencil in the names of WR Puka Nacua and TE Colby Parkinson as well.

We cited Parkinson's reception in stride for the score. But that was not exactly the case for Nacua's touchdown. In fact, his touchdown was so impressive that the broadcast announcers heaped praises on Nacua as replays proved what a circus catch the pass truly was:

The Rams offense appeared to need the running of Kyren Williams in 2023 to get on track and perform optimally. In 2024, the offense seems to gel most effectively when Puka Nacua is suited up and playing. In the five games he has played, the Rams have won three. So what does Nacua bring that seems to be absent when he is not playing?

The Rams depth chart is built to optimize veteran WR Demarcus Robinson as the third wide receiver option If Nacua is not in the lineup, then Robinson assumes a more prominent role, and more effective coverage from the defense. Also, the team does not deploy 12 personnel very often. Nacua is a bigger and more effective wide receiver, and does a better job of blending tight end toughness with wide receiver elusiveness than other wide receivers.

Perhaps most importantly, he has established great chemistry with Stafford, and knows when and how to adjust his routes to afford the best target to his quarterback. Nacua caught seven of nine passes in Week 11 for 123 yards and a touchdown. In just five games, he has hauled in 28 of 40 passes for 373 yards and a touchdown.

(2) - DT Braden Fiske

When the LA Rams traded their 2024 Round 2 and 5 picks and a future 2025 Round 2 pick to trade up to select Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Braden Fiske with the 39th overall pick, NFL Draft analysts piled on declaring the team paying too dear a price for Fiske. At the time, we argued that the Rams not only were within their rights to trade up, but a failure to do so would have been a horrific failure to improve the team.

Let's tackle this another way. Let's compare the Top 5 defensive tackles chosen in the 2024 NFL Draft, not only from when they were selected, but their 2024 production. All set? Let's go:

1. DT Bryon Murphy - 16th overall | 22 tackles | 0.5 QB sacks | 2 TFL | 1 QB hit
2. DT T'Vondre Sweat - 38th overall | 31 tackles | 0.0 QB sacks | 3 TFL | 1 QB hit
3. DT Jer'Zhan Newton - 36th overall | 26 tackles | 1.0 QB sacks | 2 TFL | 6 QB hits
4. DT Braden Fiske - 39th overall | 29 tackles | 5.0 QB sacks | 6 TFL | 5 QB hits
5. DT Kris Jenkins - 49th overall | 17 tackles | 1.0 QB sacks | 1 TFL | 1 QB hit

Now, let's revisit the 'cost,' of Fiske once again. It's clear from the data table above that the Rams not only landed a competent starting defensive tackle, but the team found the unicorn in an interior defensive lineman who can pressure and sack opposing quarterbacks. If you add the number of quarterback sacks recorded by the other four defensive tackles draft among the top five, Fiske's numbers are still double what they have amassed, combined.

Tell me again why trading up for rookie DT Braden FIske was an overpay? Since Fiske is outplaying Murphy, the Rams traded the equivalent of two Round 2 and one Round 5 picks (estimated 800 value) for the production that exceeds that of the 16th overall player chosen (1000 value).

Perhaps those overeager draft analysts ought to hold off on those declarations until they actually see how the selected player performs.

(1) - WR Cooper Kupp

THe LA Rams needed offense in Week 11, So it's no wonder that the team dialed up veteran WR Cooper Kupp to break the plane and put points on the scoreboard. After all, he continues to have that special chemistry with his quarterback, and unshakeable trust of his head coach.

Kupp has appeared in only six of ten games this season. He has not exactly been a good luck charm for the team. When he has played, the Rams are 3-3. Without him, the team is 2-2. But three of the team's best offensive scoring games have come with Kupp on the football field.

We pointed out a concerning decline in Kupp's production in 2024. Here is what we noted:

"The thing is, despite missing nearly half of the games, Kupp continues to lead the team in targets. And despite getting 16 more passes thrown his way, and catching 15 more passes than teammate Tutu Atwell, he leads Atwell by only 10 receiving yards. Kupp is gaining just 9.3 yards per reception (a career low) and just 6.8 yards per target (another career low). His 3.6 yards gained after the catch is, you guessed it, a career low."

Ramblin Fan author Bret Stuter

And so he was back to his former self in Week 11:

Does someone from the Rams football organization read our articles? Kupp hammered at each deficient category in Week 11:

• Yards per Reception - 10.4 (+1.1 YPR)
• Yards per Target - 7.4 (+0.6 YPT)
• Yards After Catch per Reception - 4.5 YAC (+0.9 YAC)

And if you watched the game, listened to it on the radio, or were fortunate enough to attend, you witnessed another record changing hands:

Kupp is up once more.

Okay, so how does all of this create a chance for another winning streak? Ultimately, the LA Rams have to win a game to start a winning streak. But now that step one is accomplished, how can the team extends success?

The Rams got three players involved in scoring in Week 11. In the process, two new players have crossed the plane. That complicates the task for every defense remaining on the schedule. Beyond that, the fact that the team did not have a perfect game and still managed to win is a huge confidence builder. The defense created two turnovers. One led to an instant touchdown. The other ended the final New England Patriots offensive drive, effectively ending the game.

The team still has things to clean up. But the team is back to .500, and is competitive once more. A Week 12 against a very good Philadelphia Eagles team could be the turning point of the season.

As always, thanks for reading.

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