What is wrong with the offense?

[Spider2YB]

3. Stafford has not played well since Buffalo. I recall him dinging his throwing hand up recently. I have to wonder if that's playing a role. He's not been nearly as accurate over the past few weeks, and his decision making has been quite erratic. We need Stafford's A game. This offense relies so much on precision.

After a commercial break early in the game last night I could see him trying to loosen up his elbow. He was doing these funky stretches. He had elbow issues a couple years ago and I wonder if those are creeping back up.

SF was a bad weather game, and quite frankly so was NYJ. Plus the game script kinda fucked us. We only had 3 possessions in the first half and couldn’t get in a rhythm. But yesterday was the perfect chance for the offense to come out and make a statement and they just couldn’t execute. All that being said, I fully expect Stafford to bring his A game in the playoffs.

 

[Spider2YB]

He had that last game. Puka beat his man by a decent amount and Stafford threw it way off target. Same thing with the seam route by the TE that Stafford missed. It was tightish coverage but definitely a play he wanted back

I know what plays you are talking about but neither were as open as what I’m talking about. Especially the throw to Allen. That was tight coverage. The one to Puka—as Warner pointed out on the broadcast—was a timing issue. Stafford needed to wait one more second before throwing the ball.

I’m talking about plays like the deep balls to Van and Kupp in the opener vs Chicago in 2021. Feels like KOC gets Darnold at least one of those a game. We need that from McVay.

 

[Jacobarch]

I know what plays you are talking about but neither were as open as what I’m talking about. Especially the throw to Allen. That was tight coverage. The one to Puka—as Warner pointed out on the broadcast—was a timing issue. Stafford needed to wait one more second before throwing the ball.

I’m talking about plays like the deep balls to Van and Kupp in the opener vs Chicago in 2021. Feels like KOC gets Darnold at least one of those a game. We need that from McVay.

I'm talking about the play where Puka was running up the sidelines and Stafford threw it about 10 yards out of bounds. Can't remember what quarter it was in? Maybe the 3rd?
The one to Allen yes was tight covering but the TE was in position to make the catch if it was a good throw but it wasn't

 

[PhillyRam]

 

[HE WITH HORNS]

Kupp can no longer beat man coverage. Buffalo played a zone against us and we carved them up.
Tutu also is not being used, I think we should try 10 personnel and throw the defense off guard a few times.
This offense is too predictable and we are not stretching the field.

 

[Ellard80]

With out being in the meetings and dissecting film none of us really know.

What we know for certain is that the offense has stunk for 3 games in a row - and I put this mostly on mcvay and stafford.

However as I said we really don't know.

 

[snackdaddy]

It certainly was disappointing the offense came out and laid an egg at home. We know they're capable of playing better. But 3 games in a row they have not looked anything like a sharp, playoff offense.

From the second half of the Saints game to the end of the Buffalo game they score 65 points in 6 quarters. They followed that with 44 points in 12 quarters. In the Jets game they scored 19 but both touchdowns came off short fields. A 33 yard drive and a 21 yard drive.

I can see the rainy game and the cold weather game. But 13 points at home against a Cardinals defense? We were very lucky that ball bounced off the receiver's helmet at the end. Otherwise we'd be needing a win next week with a struggling offense.

If they can clinch the division after today maybe they can focus on getting the offense right the next two weeks. They'd probably sit a lot of starters next week. One thing I don't want is to lose next week and clinch it later with the other games. That would just make it feel like we backed into the playoffs.

 

[Merlin]

We don't have the speed and talent at the pass game weapon spots to survive with a subpar OL. Those are the things that McVay historically could scheme up to counter iffy protections. On top of that Stafford is an old QB who doesn't move that well. So the OL quality is crucial.

This means if Boom has to play we're fucked. We simply cannot afford any OL injuries at this point and that includes the playoffs. Every time they juggle the OL it's a shit show, which means even if OG requires a change it's probably going to hurt our offense. So we must have our starting five.

Also our defense is solely dependent on the defensive front dominating. When that doesn't happen we have a secondary that will get lit on fire by a competent pass game. So in combination this team has zero room for error. I honestly don't know how we won 10 games. As excited as I am about the playoffs I also look at this team and I know there's no way they're gonna do shit in the playoffs. And I hope I am wrong.

 

[InfiniteRam]

Kupp should sit for Whittington?

No. Completely disagree.
Respectfully, of course.

Kupp has 4 receptions in the past 3 games. Unfortunately, he is getting no separation, and McVay's offense cannot cover up his current deficiencies. He's just not the same guy. This is no speed on this offense with the sets that are playing.

A change has to be made to this offense, or the playoffs will come and go, real fast. It's only going to get harder.

Wish I knew what the answer was. No one, including McVay, seems to at this point.

 

[Spider2YB]

With out being in the meetings and dissecting film none of us really know.

What we know for certain is that the offense has stunk for 3 games in a row - and I put this mostly on mcvay and stafford.

However as I said we really don't know.

Yeah last night I thought the first two drives were just Stafford being off. But then the third drive McVay goes negative run, penalty, negative run, draw on third and 19. Like that drive had ZERO shot.

 

[InfiniteRam]

Yeah last night I thought the first two drives were just Stafford being off. But then the third drive McVay goes negative run, penalty, negative run, draw on third and 19. Like that drive had ZERO shot.

McVay lost sight of what's been working. No excuse for the ratio of pass to run last night. (35 pass:19 run)

He always needs to remember we can actually run outside the tackles, and the jet sweep is still allowed.

 

[fanotodd]

Kind of good news bad news. A few weeks ago they needed a lot of points to win. They scored 44. The following week they needed a good defensive game. They gave up 6. The next week they needed another good defensive game. They gave up 9. Yesterday they gave up 9.

The defense was the biggest concern. The offense was expected to be good. They haven't been good 3 games in a row. Yet, they won all 3. I suppose that is the sign of a battle tested team. Finding a way to win. But I will feel a lot better if the offense can get back on track.

Our first round opponent will be one of 3 teams. Minnesota, Green Bay or Detroit. They can all put up points. We will need the offense to return to form if we wanna see them advance.

You make an excellent point in that the offense HAS showed up in the games the Rams needed offense to win:
vikings and bills.

No matter who the Rams play in the first round (vikes, lions, or packers) the offense MUST show up
….or the Rams get bounced.

 

[Merlin]

No excuse for the ratio of pass to run last night. (35 pass:19 run)

Cards shut the Rams run game down. That can happen to any offense and often does in the playoffs.

 

[fanotodd]

Just watching some of the other games…..it feels like McVay used to have 2-3 plays a game where he’d get a WR wide the hell open, 20 yards downfield, with the closest DB like 10 yards away. That NEVER happens anymore. When I watch Green Bay and Minnesota, I feel like both their coaches do a much better job getting their QB some really easy looks. Everything in this offense feels so hard. Even big throws are made thru tight windows with very little room for error.

Too bad the Rams didn’t have an OC on their staff who could think like the HCs of the packers and vikings.

Oh, wait.

 

[BC Ramfan]

Too bad the Rams didn’t have an OC on their staff who could think like the HCs of the packers and vikings.

Oh, wait.

Seemed notable to me that McConnell took plenty of chances late attempting to WIN the game.
Didn't tighten up and play not to lose.
They did get lucky on some near turnovers that resulted but they tried to win it and did.

BC

 

[DzRams]

Cards shut the Rams run game down. That can happen to any offense and often does in the playoffs.

Did they? McVay abandoned the run way too early. It's not like the game was out of hand with the Cards scoring points.

 

[jrry32]

Did they? McVay abandoned the run way too early. It's not like the game was out of hand with the Cards scoring points.

Yes, they did. We had some success running it late in the game. But for most of the game, the run game was DOA.

 

[Dodgersrf]

Kupp has 4 receptions in the past 3 games. Unfortunately, he is getting no separation, and McVay's offense cannot cover up his current deficiencies. He's just not the same guy. This is no speed on this offense with the sets that are playing.

A change has to be made to this offense, or the playoffs will come and go, real fast. It's only going to get harder.

Wish I knew what the answer was. No one, including McVay, seems to at this point.

Stafford has a tendency to lock in to one guy.

 

[Neil039]

I think it's a mix of:


3. Noteboom. Felt like he was an absolute drive killer with penalties and play. Putrid.

THIS FOR SURE!

 

[DzRams]

I guess if you call Kyren's 3 yard runs DOA. I wouldn't.

On the 2nd drive, Stafford threw three straight times and then they punted. We were averaging 3 yards per run up to that point; but it's early in the game. Can't call it DOA at that point...unless you're already behind or something.

On their 1st possession of the 2nd half, they have a 3rd and short, they throw a pass that doesn't convert. I'd have rather seen a run.

On their 2nd possession of the 2nd half, they have 1st and goal at the 8. Our best success in that scenario this year are runs.