How did the Rams respond to a new formation and wide-open playbook?

Sporting a new look offense and then using it to wage a furious comeback, the Los Angeles Rams stunned long-time intra-divisional foe and hated-rival San Francisco 49ers 27-24 at SoFi Stadium this Sunday past.

Rams mastermind Sean McVay renounced his 100% loyalty to the three wide receiver set and introduced a two-tight end formation into the offense. Lo and behold, he stuck with the gameplan after quickly falling behind.

But wait, there’s more!

He didn’t just pound the run game behind the big uglies, he supported it by not just opening up the playbook, but shaking out and scattering play diagrams all over the sideline. If it wasn’t in the book he scratched it out using rubber pellets from the SoFi artificial surface. He attacked the whole field, both horizontally and vertically, taking deep shots downfield, running sweeps, draws, and even tossing in a reverse pass.

The final stat totals don’t portray how effective the offense actually was. They were recipients of 73 yards on two clear pass interference calls and lost another 34 on a not so clear pass reception that was reversed by the officials.

The Rams defense was beaten on pretty good again and they bent almost to the breaking point. But down the stretch as the Rams offense mounted their comeback, the defense held up their end, allowing only a field goal on the 49ers final four possessions.

Who played? And who played well? Let’s check the offensive and defensive snap counts and try to coincide analysis with play time. Players, their snap count, and percentage of total plays are in bold.

Special shout out to undrafted wide receiver Xavier Smith, up to the active roster on a practice squad elevation. He didn’t get any reps on offense, but arguably made the biggest play of the game, taking a final minute punt 38 yards to mid-field and setting the winning field goal drive into motion.

Quarterback

Although Matthew Stafford (58, 100%) did not put up gaudy stats, it was a rock solid, veteran performance. He didn’t press when L.A. fell behind and stayed on course in running the offense. He consistently brought the whole field into play, went through his reads, and to my eye, didn’t have any turnover-worthy throws. I like the little things when watching top players perform and his audible with two minutes left in the game was a thing of beauty.

After the bomb to Tutu Atwell and a one yard plunge by Kyren Wiiliams, the Rams had 2nd and goal from the four. A normal pass call came in from the sideline and everybody knew what was coming. With 10 seconds left on the play clock, Staff saw the 49ers shading to the outsides with two-deep safety coverage and immediately checked to a run play. The call, a draw play up the gut, was perfect against the “Niners defensive set up. The resulting touchdown run was almost untouched.

Running back

Kyren Williams (52, 90%) was effective overall, but splendid in the red zone, charting three touchdowns. The Rams had a good run plan, mixing their inside downhill game with outside runs, 49ers film showed a weak spot there. Although L.A. was fairly successful, running sweeps are not Williams strong suit. He’s more adept as a north/south runner, using his vision, quick cuts and low center of gravity to dart through holes, even if just a sliver, from the tackles in. The outside runs appeared to have room, but he seemed to be unsteady deciding whether to cut it upfield early or let it play out around the corner.

Ronnie Rivers (6, 10%) did his usual thing, spelling Williams with assignment-based football. He played special teams, ran the ball a couple times, including properly following his blockers around the edge to convert a fake punt, and blocked solidly in pass protection. If the Rams drafted Blake Corum (7 special teams only) to lessen the load on Williams, they have yet to show it, for the third week in a row, Williams’ workload has been 90%.

Wide receiver

All week long Turf Show Times and the forum debated how much Tutu Atwell (43, 74%) needed to step up into the wide receiver void. I have often stated that because defenses have to account for his speed, Atwell’s presence makes the L.A. offense more multiple. On Sunday, he answered the call by beating coverages deep, running crossing pattern’s, and even adding a reverse pass.

Demarcus Robinson (54, 93%) was quiet with one catch and Tyler Johnson (29, 50%) was limited to three underneath catches. Jordan Whittington’s (22, 38%) stats were modest and snaps were slightly down this week, but he was intricately involved in the offense. L.A. often lined him up on the wing and used him as a pulling blocker out of motion.

Tight end

Running behind two-tight end sets was the big change in this week’s L.A. gameplan. They only totaled 98 rushing yards, but more importantly had 26 carries and that set the stage for success in the play action game. Both Colby Parkinson (58, 100%) and Hunter Long (26, 45%) blocked well and the Rams found success lining up both together and running off tackle behind them. Parkinson added three catches.

Offensive line

Four of the starting five, Alaric Jackson, Beaux Limmer, Kevin Dotson, and Rob Havenstein (58, 100%) played every snap and even better, came out of the game unscathed. Logan Bruss (56, 97%), in his first regular season action, missed a couple of snaps, but returned. Rookie Justin Dedich (2, 3%) stepped in.

It wasn’t a perfect effort, but certainly a big step up from the first two weeks. Although the L.A. front gave up three sacks, two of those were based on miscommunication. While Jackson really solidified the blindside, Bruss had an exceptional first game. No doubt, the player rating services will mark him way down for allowing two of those, but neither were because he was physically beaten. On the first, he switched off when he shouldn’t, a mistake of inexperience. On the other, Limmer or Stafford should have rotated the blocking to the left side where S.F. had the numerical advantage. Bruss was fully engaged on another defender and a ‘Niner pass rusher had an unmolested path.

Defensive line

Not having an anchor run-stopper has been this unit’s biggest problem. Bobby Brown (30, 42%) has struggled with his base in the first two weeks and Sunday was no different, although it should be reported that he was hampered by a bad ankle all week. L.A. decided not to use him at nose tackle and results were no different, he was consistently pushed backwards. Neville Gallimore (29, 41%) had bigger workload this week, but was pretty much invisible.

Although S.F. quarterback Brock Purdy had a strong game, on he last two meaningful 49er drives of the game, pass rush pressure played a part in in forcing a missed long field goal and a punt, when any kind of score could have de-railed the Rams comeback. Kobie Turner (57. 80%) and Braden Fiske (45, 63%) teamed up to stop Purdy and force the punt that eventually led to a Rams win. Rookie Tyler Davis (21, 30%) also had his biggest workload to date and had a nice run stop/penetration for a loss near the goal line, Desjuan Johnson’s (6, 8%) snaps took a tumble.

Normally, if you give up 137 yards rushing, it’s a rough day, but it wasn’t all bad. Tighten up the gash runs and QB off-platform stuff, who knows?

Edge

Both edges played well, having Trent Williams on one side is not an easy draw. Jared Verse (47, 66%) hung tough and showed why he’s a Round 1 player. Byron Young (54, 76%) spent most of the snaps versus Williams and refused to be locked down, delivering a a strong performance. Michael Hoecht (43, 61%) kept them both spelled and added three tackles.

Off-ball linebackers

By any fair measure, Troy Reeder (69, 97%) had a good game. He ended with 10 tackles and even with his limitations, there were no glaring mistakes. Something that bears repeating when evaluating his game is that if the defensive line cannot force a few double teams and continue to allow blockers to consistently get to second level unencumbered, no linebacker is going to have great success. Christian Rozeboom (55, 77%) also tallied 10 tackles and played to his usual form, he hustles to get involved, but because he doesn’t gather himself before contact, he can slide off and/or overrun ball carriers. Again, no defensive snaps for Jake Hummel, Omar Speights, and Elias Neal.

Safety

Not a good day for this unit. They all seemed a bit slow when faced with a read/react situation. Of course, I don’t know what all their assignments and responsibilities are, but too often they were late, particularly Kam Curl (71, 100%) and Quentin Lake (71, 100%) in single-high coverage. They weren’t recognizing that receivers were in, or were coming in to their area. Re-watching the game, you can notice that on many of the 49ers big plays, the L.A. safeties were just slow to the ball, even when there were no other receivers to contend with.

Kam Kinchens (29, 41%) got his biggest workload of the season and made another major mistake. He gave up a long touchdown pass, biting on an out-and-up, even though it was just a hint of a fake. Jaylen McCollough (11, 15%) got his first real defensive snaps of the season (one last week) late in the game.

Cornerback

Corner play was very hit and miss. Some of it may be scheme, but the on-field decision process must improve. For all three games, Tre White (71, 100%) has been inconsistent, he’s had a lot of sticky coverage, but was also been badly burned for touchdowns. This week it was biting hard on a simple run fake. What makes it worse is that he’s not aggressive on run fits.

Adequate is the descriptor to use for Cobie Durant (70, 99%), his coverage game has improved with his move outside, but a lack of physicality at the catch point can make him vulnerable. Bigger, stronger receivers are going to give him some problems. Rookie Josh Wallace (2, 3%) got his reps in a late-game max coverage package.

Final thoughts

Sure, many of the same problems remain on defense, but a win like this calls for optimism. The offense finally showed sparks of being a bonfire, totally opposite of the Week 2 burning dumpster. Before the ‘Niner game I wrote,

If (Alaric) Jackson plays well... the Rams offense moves, if the Rams offense moves and controls the flow... they can win. The defense only has to be a speed bump, not a wall.

I believe in this. The Rams, under Sean McVay, are an offense-driven team. While I’ll remain steadfast that the young front seven of the defense can improve their play, (middle of the pack would be gravy), this team Rams team will rise or fall with the offense.

But honestly, Put it all aside for now. Does ever get any better than a gutsy comeback win over the hated San Francisco 49ers? Bring on Da’ Bears!