PFF on the Rams week 16: some good news, some bad news

HOW ALL 31 FIRST-ROUND PICKS HAVE PLAYED THIS SEASON

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-how-every-2016-first-round-pick-has-played-this-season/

1. Jared Goff, QB, Rams (California)

The decision to play Jared Goff eventually came down from on high before head coach Jeff Fisher was ultimately fired for his body of work this season, and so far, Goff has shown why Fisher was reluctant to put him in sooner. The former Cal standout has looked every bit like a rookie struggling to adjust, and a poor offensive line with limited receiving weaponry hasn’t aided his cause. The best the team can hope for is that this experience is constructive, and not harmful for Goff’s future prospects.

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LOWEST-GRADED PLAYER AT EVERY POSITION IN NFL WEEK 16

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-lowest-graded-player-at-every-position-in-nfl-week-16/

Returner: Tavon Austin, Los Angeles Rams

Austin returned five punts and gained just 13 yards total, including one in which he fumbled

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BEST PLAYER AT EVERY POSITION IN NFL WEEK 16

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-best-player-at-every-position-in-nfl-week-16-2/

Right guard: Andrew Donnal, Los Angeles Rams, 82.9

An encouraging sign for an offensive line in desperate need of some hope. The fourth-round pick from a year ago is making the most of his late-season opportunity. He didn’t give up a single pressure or penalty against the 49ers.

Interior defender: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams, 89.4

Yawn. What more is there to say? Donald dominated again. A sack, a hit, four hurries. He’s the best defensive lineman in football, period.

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Rankings heading into Week 17 – Updated 12/27/2016

https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl-power-rankings/

Team Overall Offense Defense

Los Angeles Rams 29 32 10
New York Jets 30 30 29
Cleveland Browns 31 25 31
San Francisco 49ers 32 31 32

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RANKING ALL 32 NFL QUARTERBACKS THIS SEASON

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-ranking-all-32-nfl-quarterbacks-this-season/

30. Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
2016 overall grade: 44.5

It hasn’t been pretty for Goff, though some blame can certainly be placed on the offensive scheme and supporting cast. He’s been under pressure on 42.7 percent of his dropbacks, fourth-highest in the NFL, and his 42.2 passer rating on those plays ranks 32nd. Goff has looked overwhelmed at times, promising at others, and a new system and uptick in surrounding personnel will give us a much better gauge of his potential.

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from SF-LA GRADES

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-sf-la-grades-kaepernick-does-just-enough-for-49ers-to-win/

Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback grade: Jared Goff, 42.0

Conservative Goff fails to convince

The Rams’ ball-control offense worked for the majority of four quarters against San Francisco but, needing points with less than a minute to go, the face of their franchise failed to deliver. Goff attempted only five passes beyond 10 yards downfield, completing just one for 15 yards with two picks. He underthrew a simple out route the play prior, which would have given Los Angeles at least an outside shot at a field goal, and followed that mistake by forcing a throw into a bracket coverage that ended the game. There were a couple of positives – Goff eluded the rush effectively in the pocket and showed the required consistency on shorter routes – but overall this game did nothing to convince his detractors that he is a starting-caliber quarterback.

Top offensive grades:

RG Andrew Donnal, 83.2
RT Rob Havenstein, 80.8
C Tim Barnes, 72.1
LG Jamon Brown, 70.5
HB Todd Gurley, 66.8

Gurley forced to fight for every yard

The Rams pro-style offense might not be benefitting their star runner. The 49ers loaded the box, fully aware of the limited threat posed by Goff’s arm. Facing nine defenders in the box so frequently made Gurley’s night incredibly difficult. On one play, he barely had time to take the handoff before being knocked down in the backfield for a five-yard loss. Although he averaged only 2.9 yards per carry, he did manage 45 of his 67 yards after contact. Gurley was solid, even if his numbers are not particularly impressive. His lone touchdown of the game highlighted his patience and awareness, with Gurley picking through bodies to find the end zone. The Rams need to discover a method of getting their key playmaker in space.

Top defensive grades:

DI Aaron Donald, 91.7
ED William Hayes, 84.2
DI Cam Thomas, 82.0
DI Dominque Easley, 80.9
LB Mark Barron, 80.7

Rams front-seven controls line of scrimmage entire game

As they often are, the Rams front-seven, particularly the defensive line, was one of the only bright spots for the Rams. They were led as always by Aaron Donald, who finished the game with a sack, a hit and four hurries, as well as two solo run stops. Williams Hayes had a big game rushing the passer, ending up with two hits, two hurries and a couple of other times where he beat his man. Overall, nobody on the Rams’ defensive line graded below a 77.7 overall for the game.

PFF Game-Ball Winner: Rams DI Aaron Donald, 91.7