https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/10/23/nfl-los-angeles-rams-49ers-report-card-grades/
Rams Week 7 report card: Grading every position vs. 49ers
By: Cameron DaSilva
Another week, another win for the Los Angeles Rams – this time by a whopping 29 points over their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. It was a complete effort by the team from top to bottom, rolling to a seventh straight victory.
Here’s how we graded each position group from L.A.’s 39-10 victory in Week 7.
Quarterback
Jared Goff bounced back after a somewhat shaky game against the Broncos to play well against San Francisco. He probably should’ve put up bigger numbers considering the 49ers were without two starting cornerbacks and safety Adrian Colbert for part of the game, but it’s hard to complain about a stat line like this: 18-for-24, 202 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Rams cruised to a win and Goff was pulled late in the game, so he wasn’t asked to do much. He did what was asked, didn’t make any mistakes and hit open receivers when possible. Overall, a steady game from No. 16.
Grade: B+
Running back
Todd Gurley scored three touchdowns and had 86 yards from scrimmage, so while he had a nose for the end zone, he wasn’t wildly productive. His workload and snap total were limited by the scoreboard, limiting him to just 59 percent of the plays and 19 total touches. Malcolm Brown came in to add a spark, rushing for 65 yards on 13 carries. It was a solid game by the running backs but not one that’s going to grab many headlines outside of those highlighting Gurley’s three touchdowns.
Grade: B+
Wide receiver
Robert Woods was once again the Rams’ leading receiver with five catches for 78 yards, though he didn’t have a touchdown. Brandin Cooks was second with 64 yards, the only other receiver with more than 23 yards. He caught his second touchdown of the season, one of four receptions on the day.
Grade: B
Tight end
With so many weapons on offense, the tight ends never seem to get going. Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett were targeted just three times total on Sunday, and the only completion was a touch pass on a jet sweep to Everett. The play went for minus-5 yards, so it clearly wasn’t a success.
Grade: C-
Offensive line
Goff was hardly pressured despite being sacked twice on Sunday. He continues to have ample time to find open receivers and survey the field, all thanks to the play of the big men up front. Their ability to clear out defenders in the passing game and the rushing attack is remarkable.
Grade: A
Defensive line
Aaron Donald was the only defensive lineman to record a sack on Sunday, but he had four of them. Ndamukong Suh had a quarterback hit, as did Michael Brockers, who added two tackles for loss and five total stops. This defensive line came into the season with sky-high expectations and the players have met every single one.
Grade: A+
Inside linebacker
Cory Littleton gets better by the week and has turned into a Pro Bowl-caliber linebacker. He led the team with 10 tackles, had two sacks, three tackles for loss and a blocked punt. Mark Barron mixed in four tackles and a tackle for loss of his own in what was an all-around stellar day from the inside linebackers.
Grade: A+
Outside linebacker
We just keep waiting for Samson Ebukam and the cast of edge rushers to show some consistency, and maybe Week 7 was a sign of things to come. Ebukam had a strip-sack and a tackle for loss, while both Matt Longacre and John Franklin-Myers had a quarterback hit each. The Rams still need more consistency out of this group, but even still, the team ranks first in pressure rate.
Grade: B
Cornerback
49ers wideouts caught just four of 10 targets for 35 yards, which just goes to show how good Marcus Peters and Troy Hill played. Nickell Robey-Coleman was limited to just 14 snaps for some reason, while Sam Shields was the No. 3 cornerback in terms of playing time. The secondary is coming along nicely without Aqib Talib as Peters has turned in back-to-back strong outings.
Grade: A-
Safety
John Johnson is tied for the league lead with three interceptions and just keeps making plays after a shaky start to the season. He was Pro Football Focus’ second-highest graded safety in the league this past week. Lamarcus Joyner hasn’t been as consistent, but he’s finding a rhythm as the season goes on.
Grade: A
Special teams
A blocked punt by Littleton, a 36-yard punt return by JoJo Natson and seven perfect kicks by Greg Zuerlein highlight the Rams’ day on special teams, which earned an ‘A’ in our book.
Grade: A