Turf Show Times
The Los Angeles Rams eliminated the Chicago Bears in a closely fought NFC divisional round game. LA finished on top 20-17.
The effort required contributions from outside the usual suspects, and the Pro Football Focus (PFF) game grades and data support this. Let’s dive in.
In his first game back from injury Dotson allowed only a single pressure in pass protection. He was by far LA’s highest graded player in run blocking at 93.5. The next closest was WR Konata Mumpfield at 77.0.
Dotson proved important in his first game back and gave the Rams a much needed boost on the ground.
Higbee played only eight snaps. He ran routes on every play and was not asked to stay in to block, interestingly enough. The veteran was targeted one time and converted into a 27-yard reception.
Jackson ranked second on the team in pass protection (77.5) to LG Steve Avila (81.6). Jackson fared better in the run game and thus finished better overall. Still, outside of Dotson and Coleman Shelton, there wasn’t much to like from the starting five in terms of run blocking.
Kyren Williams gained 87 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. 54 of these yards came after contact and Williams forced three missed tackles. He earned two carries of over ten yards. As a receiver he added four receptions on five targets for 30 yards. It was one of the most productive receiving games that we’ve seen from Williams in a while, and the Rams’ passing production was mostly limited to the short game.
One complaint: Williams earned a pass blocking grade of just 48.0 compared to Blake Corum at 65.8. This could explain why Corum played on the final offensive possession in overtime over Williams.
This was far from Nacua’s most productive game. He caught just five of 10 targets for 56 yards after only converting 10 of 16 opportunities a week ago. Defenses know that the Rams offense runs through Nacua and they are seemingly doing everything they can to take LA’s weapon away.
Matthew Stafford finished with the Rams’ lowest grade on offense at 42.2. He fumbled twice and earned a grade in this facet of 24.5. Stafford tossed the same number of big-time throws and turnover-worthy plays at three, meaning he was fortunate to finish the game without a turnover. The veteran finished with an adjusted completion rate of just 52.6%. Rams receivers were not credited with any dropped passes.
Curl was active as a pass rusher on two blitzes. He earned one pressure. The safety was active around the line of scrimmage and finished with 10 total tackles and only a single...
