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Every game in the NFL has its own challenges and differences in approach but this game afforded us some insight as to how the Rams will manage their season.
Let's start with the offense. The explosive plays are back and will change how defenses prepare for the Rams. They can no longer sit on the run and short to midrange passes or Stafford and company will burn them deep. Third and long is no longer a guarantee that the drive is over. McVay has varied the offense to a level of unpredictability not seen before now. The deep routes by Jefferson and Kupp indicates that the vertical threats can come from ANY of the receivers on the field. This will begin to open up the running game with lighter boxes moving forward.
Knowing the offense will be scoring changes the approach by Morris and the defense. It's really maddening as a fan to watch a pedestrian offense like the Bears control the ball with long drives but the chances that you can string 15 plus plays without a drive killer is risky. Morris did pick and choose his spots to gamble with the scheme and the results were mixed with some wins and losses. The run defense must improve though.
Overall, for a first game, the operation was mostly clean with few mental errors. Stafford and Woods weren't on the same page in the end zone. There was no contain on the first kickoff. There were a few missed assignments in the run defense. But they didn't beat themselves with pre snap penalties, turnovers, or personal fouls.
Most importantly, the Rams lost no players to injury. I will sweat that stat every week.
The one thing that I personally have to address now is expecting this team to be perfect on every play. I can't remember being that pissed off by a 13-7 score as much as I was at the half. But it does indicate that I believe this team has a 1999 feel to it. Each week will be a discovery of possibilities but I won't feel a sigh of relief until Mike Jones (er, Troy Reeder) makes the final tackle as time expires and the confetti falls in SoFi.
Let's start with the offense. The explosive plays are back and will change how defenses prepare for the Rams. They can no longer sit on the run and short to midrange passes or Stafford and company will burn them deep. Third and long is no longer a guarantee that the drive is over. McVay has varied the offense to a level of unpredictability not seen before now. The deep routes by Jefferson and Kupp indicates that the vertical threats can come from ANY of the receivers on the field. This will begin to open up the running game with lighter boxes moving forward.
Knowing the offense will be scoring changes the approach by Morris and the defense. It's really maddening as a fan to watch a pedestrian offense like the Bears control the ball with long drives but the chances that you can string 15 plus plays without a drive killer is risky. Morris did pick and choose his spots to gamble with the scheme and the results were mixed with some wins and losses. The run defense must improve though.
Overall, for a first game, the operation was mostly clean with few mental errors. Stafford and Woods weren't on the same page in the end zone. There was no contain on the first kickoff. There were a few missed assignments in the run defense. But they didn't beat themselves with pre snap penalties, turnovers, or personal fouls.
Most importantly, the Rams lost no players to injury. I will sweat that stat every week.
The one thing that I personally have to address now is expecting this team to be perfect on every play. I can't remember being that pissed off by a 13-7 score as much as I was at the half. But it does indicate that I believe this team has a 1999 feel to it. Each week will be a discovery of possibilities but I won't feel a sigh of relief until Mike Jones (er, Troy Reeder) makes the final tackle as time expires and the confetti falls in SoFi.
