What is wrong with the offense?

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DzRams

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McVay claims Kupps recent lack of production is circumstantial.

Unless he’s playing injured, that may be true. I don’t ever recall a player dropping off a cliff so quickly, during the season.
McVay claims? Can there be more obvious coach speak. What is gonna say, "yeah our metrics show he's lost 2 steps."?

The Rams considered trading him at the deadline. They know something.
 

Dodgersrf

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Unless he’s playing injured, that may be true. I don’t ever recall a player dropping off a cliff so quickly, during the season
Kupp has a total of 9 targets the last 3 games.
Only 3 targets per game.

He had 21 targets week 1.

Kupp may still not be 100%, but Stafford is the player I’m most concerned about.
Stafford, just doesn’t seem to be in a good place for some reason.
 

InfiniteRam

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Kupp has a total of 9 targets the last 3 games.
Only 3 targets per game.

He had 21 targets week 1.

Kupp may still not be 100%, but Stafford is the player I’m most concerned about.
Stafford, just doesn’t seem to be in a good place for some reason.
Agree - he is tentative and slow to react. Not seeing progressions well, and the protection has been pretty good.
 

Classic Rams

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The Rams are obviously missing a deep threat without Tutu out there and have been below average at the TE position. Nothing for defenses to worry about there.

The running game has been the best Stafford has had. But defenses will key on the run to stop the Rams offense. It ain't rocket surgery.
 

dieterbrock

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What I will say this kupp has gotten more passes defended isn’t that proof he’s not getting much separation?
He’s still at a 67% catch rate which is only slightly below his career average. (Around 3%) Stafford comp % is also down about 3% from his Rams average.
So it’s a cart/horse thing. If Stafford isn’t as accurate, it may explain why Kupp numbers are down
If someone is going to say it’s separation, show it with actual visual proof
 

InfiniteRam

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He’s still at a 67% catch rate which is only slightly below his career average. (Around 3%) Stafford comp % is also down about 3% from his Rams average.
So it’s a cart/horse thing. If Stafford isn’t as accurate, it may explain why Kupp numbers are down
If someone is going to say it’s separation, show it with actual visual proof
Somebody posted that separation data awhile back. Kupp was at something like 47%, which is below league average.

He doesn't pass the eye test like he used to, just watch him coming out of his breaks.
 

OntarioRam

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Kupp is the issue. He looked incredible early in the year. He looks extremely slow now. Never gets separation. Can never out-run anyone. Can never break tackles. He looks slow, stiff, and labored. Every ball is contested and he rarely comes down with it the past few games. I think he never really put the injury behind him. Hopefully the time off helps. He will be the stick that stirs the drink. Because right now, we don't have a viable WR2. It is supposed to be Kupp, and he look every bit the part early, he even looked like a 2nd WR1, but not now. It hurts the soul to watch.
 

Merlin

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We have a methodical, short gain offense that has to move the chains a ton each possession.
Yes. And this is why our defense is going to be critical in these playoffs.

When you have to snap the ball a ton for each score, there is a greater chance for the defense to get a stop at some point. This defense was built to complement an offense that can hang points early on teams, and they find themselves needing to be more than that.

So this is mainly about the secondary. I think the defensive front is a known. They're gonna bring it. Secondary has to avoid the busted coverages and big plays, and sometimes they're gonna need to get those underneath routes covered to get off the field. Feels like they will come up short but I am excited to see if they can raise the bar.
 

DzRams

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Stats are provided from Next Gen Stats


Kupp WR Separation Numbers


NameCushion (yards)Separation (yards)Catch %Average YAC / Reception
Kupp 20216.63.675.926.1
Kupp 20237.13.462.115.8
Kupp 20247.13.367.004.2


2024 Rams WR Separation Numbers


NameCushion (yards)Separation (yards)Catch %Average YAC / Reception
Nacua6.53.374.536.7
Kupp7.13.367.004.2
DRob42.748.282.2
Atwell8 (2nd largest in league)3.568.523.1

My Takeaways:

- Kupp's separation, catch %, and YAC are slowly decreasing yearly.
- 2024 Nacua is remarkably similar to 2021 Kupp.
- Atwell needs more snaps. DRob is not getting it done.
 

Steve808

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When you have to snap the ball a ton for each score, there is a greater chance for the defense to get a stop at some point. This defense was built to complement an offense that can hang points early on teams, and they find themselves needing to be more than tha

The problem with a grind it out offense is that a holding penalty or even a false start penalty can wind up taking a possession away because it becomes very difficult to convert first downs unless Kyren is blowing up the opposing defenses. And in the playoffs, there is unlikely to be any pushovers.

In my opinion, I think Tutu needs to play more. He somehow opens things up when he's on the field. It's his speed that defenses fear and must respect.
 

dang

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Kupp is the issue. He looked incredible early in the year. He looks extremely slow now. Never gets separation. Can never out-run anyone. Can never break tackles. He looks slow, stiff, and labored. Every ball is contested and he rarely comes down with it the past few games. I think he never really put the injury behind him. Hopefully the time off helps. He will be the stick that stirs the drink. Because right now, we don't have a viable WR2. It is supposed to be Kupp, and he look every bit the part early, he even looked like a 2nd WR1, but not now. It hurts the soul to watch.
It does hurt to watch Kupp struggle since the NE (which I had the good fortune to watch live) and PHI games. He looks like he’s hurting (back?, hamstring?, knee? All of the above?) but he’s a trooper who will give everything snd he has a role even when diminished. As a result Rams need him on the field. However if the Rams want to compete in the playoffs they need to find a way to spread the ball around to Atwell/ DRob/ Higs/ Whitt/ Corum/Park in pass game.
 

Merlin

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Stafford washed?
I love Stafford. But he has to play better, clearly. And this year's playoffs are undoubtedly his moment to demonstrate he is the QB1 for next year.

If he plays well he will cement his spot. I think this will happen, barring injury on that OL.

If he doesn't play well McVay might move on from him. And say what you want about McVay but he simply does not fuck around at QB. He has high standards, and if he's going to endure mistakes and careless play then why not endure them from a younger QB who adds some other shit like mobility and maybe even team control for roster building.

I mean I really hate to even say this but it is what it is. This playoff run is crucial for Matt so I hope he plays his ass off.
 

Neil039

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I love Stafford. But he has to play better, clearly. And this year's playoffs are undoubtedly his moment to demonstrate he is the QB1 for next year.

If he plays well he will cement his spot. I think this will happen, barring injury on that OL.

If he doesn't play well McVay might move on from him. And say what you want about McVay but he simply does not fuck around at QB. He has high standards, and if he's going to endure mistakes and careless play then why not endure them from a younger QB who adds some other shit like mobility and maybe even team control for roster building.

I mean I really hate to even say this but it is what it is. This playoff run is crucial for Matt so I hope he plays his ass off.
I agree with you about McVay with Stafford. The real issue the Rams face is there a QB1 available for trade?

Sorry to all the members who think Darnold is the solution. He's not going anywhere. That team loves him. Plus, the money tied up in Stafford will make it truly difficult to do.

My prayers (yes I am asking Baby Jesus) is for Matty Staff to throw some magic out of that cannon for the next 5 weeks. Rest up you son of a gun and no look the Rammies to 4 more victories!
 

Rambitious1

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1. Stafford is becoming too reliant on Puka. He's the first read and then its panic time if he isn't open, especially with Noteboom out there.

2. McVay not using Tutu and Whittington at all. I'd love to hear him explain this. By analytics, Whittington has the most separation on routes then any WR we have. Tutu also has some huge clutch catches and is the only player with speed. I'd like to see them both in 3 WR sets and I really hope he is saving them for playoffs or something, cuz this current offense will get us bounced in round 1.

3. McVay's playcalling. Mostly obvious what the call is sitting on my couch at home. The opposing team has hours and hours of analytics and know a F ton more then I do about it. End arounds/jet sweeps have been extremely effective but disappear for GAMES at a time. There is no excuse to have the 1st 2 drives of the games be as disastrous as they are for us. These are SCRIPTED. 95% of the rest of league have solid initial drives because they have practiced them over and over again. They not like us.

Ultimately, McVay is doing no favors for the offense, whereas he is expected to add a lot to it.

No clue why they can't see these stated issues, they are obvious to an idiot on his couch like me. As i said, I truly hope he is trying to hide some of these needed changes for hugely impactful games like the playoffs, but I have my doubts. McVay seems pretty stubborn.
I think your last sentence sums it all up and in a nutshell.
“McVay seems pretty stubborn”

I think he has some Mike Martz in him.
 

RamBradford85

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He’s still at a 67% catch rate which is only slightly below his career average. (Around 3%) Stafford comp % is also down about 3% from his Rams average.
So it’s a cart/horse thing. If Stafford isn’t as accurate, it may explain why Kupp numbers are down
If someone is going to say it’s separation, show it with actual visual proof
I’m not trying to be a ass but ya watch the games what are ya seeing … why is it so hard for ya to belive kupp not getting separation he was never the fastest Or athletic … most of this season even when he was getting catches the offense was still a dunk and dunk offense it shouldn’t be a surprise there’s no game changer no speed and Mcvay really refuses to get tutu involved tbh I’ve thought the offense wasn’t enough all year
 

dieterbrock

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I’m not trying to be a ass but ya watch the games what are ya seeing … why is it so hard for ya to belive kupp not getting separation he was never the fastest Or athletic … most of this season even when he was getting catches the offense was still a dunk and dunk offense it shouldn’t be a surprise there’s no game changer no speed and Mcvay really refuses to get tutu involved tbh I’ve thought the offense wasn’t enough all year
Cmon man. I watch every game. And unless you have all 22 you can’t see the routes Kupp is running unless the ball is thrown to him. It’s just an ingenious statement. There have been multiple replays where Puka is targeted and Kupp was open.
 

OntarioRam

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Stats are provided from Next Gen Stats


Kupp WR Separation Numbers


NameCushion (yards)Separation (yards)Catch %Average YAC / Reception
Kupp 20216.63.675.926.1
Kupp 20237.13.462.115.8
Kupp 20247.13.367.004.2


2024 Rams WR Separation Numbers


NameCushion (yards)Separation (yards)Catch %Average YAC / Reception
Nacua6.53.374.536.7
Kupp7.13.367.004.2
DRob42.748.282.2
Atwell8 (2nd largest in league)3.568.523.1

My Takeaways:

- Kupp's separation, catch %, and YAC are slowly decreasing yearly.
- 2024 Nacua is remarkably similar to 2021 Kupp.
- Atwell needs more snaps. DRob is not getting it done.
I'd be curious what his stats are the past 4ish games vs. earlier in the year. Just the eye test, it does not even look like the same player. I am convinced he is (still?) injured.

In terms of WRs going forward post-Kupp, I have loved what I have seen from Whittington, not only in pre-season, but also this regular season on kick coverage, as a returner, and the few times he does get the ball on offense. It is too bad he got hurt when he did because he had a bit of a coming out party vs. I believe it was the Raiders. He seems to be another WR in the Kupp/Puka mold. Big, physical, team-first, do-it-all WR that was found a bit later in the draft. I think if given the chance he could be a good WR2 once he gets a bit more seasoning and game experience. Therefore, I am not so sure I'd spend prime draft capital at the WR position. I like what we have in-house. I'd sooner bolster our secondary and our tackles, and run it back with this group, get Whittington more reps, and hope for 1 more productive year out of Kupp - he still is deadly when healthy, he looked amazing early.
 
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OregonRamsFan

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I think Stafford is/was a hell of a QB, but something is off with him. He doesn’t seem to get truly focused unless we are losing. He seems to love hero ball. Perhaps he is getting bored with the game a bit. We always seem to come out flat offensively. Add to that the loss of OL players, especially Havenstein as of late and Staff rushes the ball to compensate.

I honestly think McVay is interested to see what Jimmy G will bring in competitive play. Not that Jimmy is the guy, he’s not. Just to see what an average QB will bring as a baseline to measure Stafford with.

Stafford is an older player who likely has a nagging injury issue. He is quite beat up. I really love the guy as our QB but he’s only human. We have been lucky to have him. We have a ring because of him.