The Los Angeles Rams have an important game this week against the Philadelphia Eagles. By this time in the season, teams won’t be leaving things on the table as they make a push for the postseason. That will certainly be the case for the Rams who are currently on the outside looking in at 5-5. Over the past few weeks, the Rams have shown bits and pieces of what might be coming. That was especially the case on Sunday against the New England Patriots. Here is this week’s film review.
Rams offense needs more Davis Allen
A player that was expected to take a big step forward this season was tight end Davis Allen. Through the first 11 games, Allen only has six receptions — five of which came against the Miami Dolphins. With that said, there are signs that point to Allen getting more involved in the offense. In each of the last three games, Allen has played more than 50 percent of the offensive snaps.
However, it’s not just how much Allen has played in those games that’s significant. The significant part is what Allen has done over the past three weeks. He hasn’t necessarily taken over games, but he has been effective in his role, especially as a blocker. In the past three games, Allen ranks as the sixth-best run-blocking tight end in the NFL via PFF. It’s well known that McVay appreciates good blocking and that is an area in which Allen has significantly improved.
While it would be nice to see Allen used more in the passing game, utilizing the second-year tight end in 12 personnel has been working. It will be interesting to see how McVay rotates the tight ends once Tyler Higbee returns.
Omar Speights as a blitzer
The Rams have eased linebacker Omar Speights into the defense since he was entered into the starting lineup four weeks ago. He started as a player that was primarily used on running downs and in the red zone. Speights’ snap count and responsibilities have gone up every week and that was evident again on Sunday against the Patriots.
After not being used as a blitzing linebacker at all through the first three games, Speights came on a blitz four times in Week 11. The undrafted rookie was very efficient here as he had three pressures on four pass rush snaps. On the play below, he’s the player that gets through and forces Drake Maye to throw the ball out of the back of the end zone.
This is something that the Rams did quite often with Ernest Jones. It will be interesting to see if that type of usage continues the rest of the season for Speights.
Kam Kinchens is becoming more disciplined with experience
One of the biggest concerns that I had about Kam Kinchens coming out of Miami was his tendency to take bad angles in the open field. This happened a few times early in the season and was a reason for a few explosive runs on the Rams defense. The start to Kinchens’ rookie season had some rough moments which led to him playing more special teams in Week 5 and 6.
Since being inserted back into the lineup, things have seemed to click for Kinchens. He had his third interception of the season to clinch the game. However, it was his tackling in the open field that was the most impressive which can be seen in the clips below.
He is the first rookie since 2000 with an interception, tackle for loss, forced fumble and five-or-more tackles in a game. Kinchens also became the first rookie defensive back ever to win multiple Defensive Player of the Week awards
Tyler Davis is an underrated rookie in Rams draft class
In most rookie classes, a hit in the sixth round would be considered a highlight. The crazy part is, while Tyler Davis is having a good rookie season, he may be the fifth best rookie in the class and not even the best from the sixth round. Davis has played a key role in the Rams defensive line rotation, especially against the run.
Davis currently leads rookie defensive linemen in run-stop percentage and is tied for eighth in the NFL. This is the final year of Bobby Brown III’s contract and there is reason to believe that Davis could step into that role full time next season.
Honorable Mention - Chris Shula’s Creative Fronts
Chris Shula deserves a lot of credit for how creative he has been with the Rams defensive front. He does a really good job moving players like Michael Hoecht, Jared Verse, Byron Young, and Braden Fiske around the formation. On the play below, you’ll see Verse and Fiske lined up as ‘Wide 9s’ along the defensive line. Unfortunately the blitz just missed, but the play design and the call itself is exciting.
The Rams defense has pressured opposing quarterbacks on 41.9 percent of their dropbacks which is the highest pressure rate in the NFL. For Shula to be getting that much production out of first and second year players is very impressive. It was a slow start for Shula, but this is a group that’s begun to find their rhythm and how to play off of each other. On Braden Fiske’s strip-sack, the Rams run a stunt with Fiske and Turner. Turner creates a bit of a ‘pick play’ for Fiske, cutting off the guard. That leaves Fiske a free run to the quarterback and he knocks the ball loose.
